Our body is given to us by God to care for. God’s desire is for this body to be healthy. To attain this sound health, we must be careful with what we eat. Since the devil is out to oppose God’s pleasure for our lives, he presents those food that are harmful to our body as very attractive. This piece is a warning to be careful with what we eat. It is a continuation of the article in our last edition of health Issues titled: Food or Fooled?
Unfortunately most flour in the stores/market has been processed and all nutrients removed. This then is used to make foods like meat pies, cakes, pizza, hotdog etc. These are referred to as junk foods. They are generally prepared with unhealthy white flour, saturated fat and white sugar. They should be avoided from a health standpoint. The more they are eaten the more they cause diseases like diabetics, cancer, caries (dental), cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. Use of baking powder is also harmful to the body. Natural yeast is preferable. Please eat whole flour meals brown bread and brown pasta not white refined flour.
FRIED FOODS
Fried meals are the tastiest of all. When I was young, I really enjoyed meals like fried yam, chips and fried meat and fish. The tomatoes of the stew were often well fried with no tomatoes juice to make it taste sour. All these looked so “good” then. With experience, I have realized that fried foods are dangerous to our health. The smoke from the frying causes cancer just like cigarette and frying food destroys the nutrients. And certain ones form toxic substances which are carcinogenic and promote the development of malignant tumors. Tumors like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, etc can be noticed especially in women. Foods should rather be boiled or steamed instead of being fried for consumption.
MILK
Undoubtedly, milk is one of the most complete single foods. The human milk which God provided for the human species is the richest in monoun saturated fatty acids similar to those found in nuts and seeds. These fatty acids are necessary for the development of the human brain. When we talk of milk, people think more about the cow milk. It is widely believed that cow milk also contains nutrient that helps in growth. People take it a lot but studies have shown that unlike human milk, the several diseases occur as a result of milk intake. Examples of such diseases are arteries, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and coronary diseases. Saturated fats in cow milk foster cholesterol production in the body.
If you must take milk at all, you are advised to take non-fat milk. The protein in milk called casein increases the cholesterol level, constipation and diarrhea. Milk causes digestive disorders in many adults. Patients that have undergone stomach surgery, experiences what is known as dumping syndrome some 15-30 minutes after milk intake. It causes nausea, dizziness, cramps, etc. These symptoms will disappear when you avoid milk and sweetened foods. Also, many livestock keeper injects Bovine Somatotropin (a hormone for increase in milk production). It has negative effect in human health because part of it is found in the milk is a very good alternative to animal milk.
SOFT DRINKS
These are carbonated drinks with no nutritional value. They are made from sugar and other unnatural ingredients which are harmful to the body. They consist of carbon dioxide which God has ordained man to breathe out, acids which are harmful to the blood, etc. Fruit flavoured drinks has so much of additives like preservatives, coloring, flavoring, etc. We have caffeine in cola drinks. Diet/light drinks contain aspartame which is synthetic sweeteners. All these are harmful to the body. You are advice to desist from taking them because they destroy God's temple your body given to you to care for. They weaken the immune system and eventually lead to untimely death. They don't kill you in one day. They are like drops of water that form an ocean, which drowns a man.
RAW FOODS
As I write this piece , what comes to my mind is exotic breed birds we popularly refer to as 'agric' and local chicken. If we are familiar with these two species of birds, it will serve as good illustration. The 'agric' birds are fed on growth hormone for few months and are ready for food. Some broilers take 10-12weeks to be ready. They are prone to diseases, (epidemic) bird flu and dirty. Hundreds of them can die in one day leaving their owners heart broken.
The layers lay eggs that are twice the size of the natural organic eggs. It is so because of the hormones they are fed on and therefore are big for nothing. This type of chicken cannot endure stress and for any reason if they have to run they just take two or three steps and lay on the ground. The local chicken is not so. It feeds on organic raw foods. It does not get sick easily. Not bothered by bird flu, endure stress, can run and ready for food in about 2years i.e. 96weeks as compared to just 12weeks.
This is the situation with man who feeds on raw foods (either fruits or vegetables) and those who feed on cooked and fried junks foods. These days we have so many 'agric chicken' children in the entire globe. They cannot think properly. They cannot go through the stress of studying and sitting for examination. Certificates are bought for them by their parents. What a shame! They behave and grow like 'agric chickens' and we are so proud of them. A girl of 8-9years of age has grown breasts. The fault is not theirs but the parents who will not feed them with the right kinds of food - the proper diet that will develop them and keep them alert. Thank God that the medical scientists have come to realize that God have put all essential nutrient in the mothers breast milk for the babies mental and physical development.
It is true that we are brought up to eat cooked fried foods but we can allow ourselves to be “born again” in our diets. We are born into sin but we will not remain sinners the moment we realize it. We seek for Gods forgiveness and change our ways.
Dan 1:8, 16-20 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (KJV)
One of the wonders of God is embedded in raw vegetables and fruits. All raw food contains three elements namely: natural distilled or pure water, roughages or fiber and nutrients. The body of man is 70% water and raw fruits and vegetables contain the purest water for man's use. Roughages or fiber is necessary to keep the colon clean and function properly. It is liken to broom or brush. Lack of it causes constipation. Nutrients are the smallest element present in raw fruits/vegetables but when received raw into the body provide all we need to be properly nourished.
At a point my daughter was always complaining of fever. One day I decided to flush her bowel using ENEMA method. I mixed warm water and raw lemon juice together which I used in flushing her bowel. I gave her a bowl of vegetable salad with no salad cream, egg, mayonnaise or baked beans. She woke up the next day okay and since then she has not complained about fever. Part of our meals in the house is raw fruits /vegetables. Eating vegetables salad has become a time of joy on our table now than when we first started. Initially it was not fun for my family but I persisted. Our best soup was okro. I insisted on the half cooked vegetable soups made up of all kinds of vegetables like bitter leaf, water leaf, sweet potato leaf, spinach and moringa. I discovered children generally do not like it but they must be taught. At times I mix some of the vegetable especially leaves blend with water melon, sweet melon (to sweetened), sieve and the family drinks.
Dr. George Malkmus book “GOD'S WAY TO ULTIMATE HEALTH” emphasized so much on the need to eat raw fruits and vegetable. God has arranged it in such a way that at each season of the year, we have different types of fruit such as mangoes, guavas, oranges, pineapple, grapes, water melon, sweet melon, lemon, etc. There will always be one of these fruit in season at each point in time.
When I decided to go into my first two-month of eating only fruits and vegetable, my husband tried to persuade me not to because I was weak and frail to do that. I told him that 'by two months time I will be the healthiest person in the house'. When I did a medical check- in South Africa including test of my blood, the Doctor exclaimed: “your blood is beautiful” . It worked for me. I am a living testimony.
Sometimes ago, I traveled to visit my dad and he was complaining about the BP drugs he was using and that he was tired of taking the drugs. He had problem sleeping at night. Most times, he will not be able to sleep until around 11pm and will wake up between 1-2am with a terrible headache. I stressed the need for him to dwell more on fruits and vegetables. He accepted. Two weeks later he called me to say that he sleeps by 9pm and wake up by 5:00am and his BP has gone down. Since then his diet is dominated by fruits and vegetables.
AGEING AND MENOPAUSE
Some of us are trying so hard to remove wrinkles from our faces. You do not need cream to do that. You only need change of diet. Everywhere I go people say I am looking younger instead of older. “I simply say it is the glory of God”. Raw fruits and vegetables rejuvenate the body cells. They contain a lot of vitamin E.
Menopause was never a problem in the life of woman of the Bible, not even their menstrual cycle. But today the story is different. What went wrong? Young women complain of pre-menstrual syndrome or menstrual pain as it is popularly known. While the older women complain of various ailments at menopause ranging from, hot flush, arthritis, depression, headaches, high blood pressure, etc. As a young lady I dreaded my menstrual period. My prayer always was “God please let this cup pass over me”.
Before I started having my babies I will vomit, roll on the bed in pains. I was rushed to the hospital on several occasions by my parents only to be told by doctors that it is nothing serious. I was being given pain killer drugs. When I started having my babies the pain reduced. A friend told me of the pain on waist and breast due to menstrual period. I simply told her to take more of raw fruits and vegetables in her diet, it worked like magic. She called the day her next period came that “I cannot believe I am in my period without pain and the usual nagging. God is indeed interested in our diet”.
The Healing Power of Laughter
One of the greatest stress relievers God has given us is laughter. It not only makes us feel better, but it actually releases healing throughout our system. When we laugh, it restores and rejuvenates what the pressures of life have taken out.
Proverbs 17:22 puts it like this, "A happy heart is like a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing." Notice, when we're good-natured and full of joy, taking time to laugh and play, it's like taking a good medicine. That's what helps us to stay healthy. People that laugh regularly are 40% less likely to have a heart attack than people that don't laugh regularly. Laughter triggers the right side of the brain, which helps release creativity and helps us to make better decisions.
There is too much sickness in our world today. Much of it is related to sadness. It's directly related to the fact that we don't smile enough. We live uptight and stressed out.
But even during trials and hard times, God says to us, "I've got a solution. In difficulties, cheer up. In famine, laugh. Keep your joy." You can laugh your way to victory, to better health and to more energy.
God knows the end of the story. He knows the final outcome. The good news is you and I win. God always causes us to triumph. We should have a spring in our step, a smile on our face, joy in our hearts and unshakeable faith. God's plan for our lives is for good and He has the answer to our every question. Knowing this, we can laugh at the days ahead!
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