Understanding What Kind of Diet Does the Bible Say We Should Eat?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

Biblical dietary rules have changed significantly over time, evolving from an initial plant-based mandate to a system of clean and unclean foods and finally to a focus on spiritual freedom and moderation. Understanding what kind of diet does the Bible say we should eat requires examining this progressive revelation through Scripture.

Quick Summary

This article explores the biblical perspective on diet, contrasting the Old Testament's specific dietary laws with the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual freedom. It outlines key principles like moderation and thankfulness while reviewing food choices throughout different biblical eras.

Key Points

Original Diet: The initial dietary plan for humanity in Genesis was purely plant-based, consisting of fruits, seeds, and vegetables.
Introduction of Meat: After the flood, God permitted humanity to eat meat, but with the specific restriction against consuming blood.
Old Testament Laws: The Mosaic Law provided detailed rules classifying foods as 'clean' and 'unclean' for the Israelites, primarily as a symbol of holiness and distinction.
New Testament Freedom: In the New Covenant, Jesus declared all foods clean, and Peter's vision in Acts 10 confirmed the lifting of these ceremonial food laws for Christians.
Modern Principles: For Christians today, the focus is on principles like moderation, temperance, gratitude, and caring for the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, rather than strict dietary rules.
Whole Foods Focus: The Bible promotes a diet of nourishing, whole foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil.
Spiritual over Food: The ultimate spiritual message is that our relationship with God is not defined by what we eat, but by the condition of our heart and our attitude toward His provision.

The Original Blueprint: The Garden of Eden

In the beginning, God's plan for humanity's diet was clear and simple, outlined in Genesis 1:29: “And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.'”. This established a plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds, symbolizing harmony before the fall. Modern practices like the Daniel Fast are inspired by this initial diet, focusing on plant-based eating for health and spiritual reasons.

Post-Flood Expansion: The Introduction of Meat

The flood marked a change, expanding the human diet to include meat. Genesis 9:3 states, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.”. This new permission came with a restriction against consuming blood (Genesis 9:4), signifying that life belonged to God.

The Mosaic Laws: A System of Distinction

Under the Mosaic covenant, God gave specific dietary laws to the Israelites found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These laws distinguished between "clean" and "unclean" animals, serving to set Israel apart and symbolize their unique identity, though some also suggest potential health benefits. Details on clean and unclean foods can be found at {Link: Gospel Centered Health https://gospelcenteredhealth.com/biblediet/}.

The New Covenant: Freedom in Christ

The New Testament signifies that Christians are not bound by the Mosaic dietary laws. Key passages illustrate this shift, including Jesus’s teaching (Mark 7:18-19), Peter’s vision (Acts 10:9-16), and Paul’s guidance (Romans 14:1-23). Instead of strict rules, the New Testament offers principles for Christian eating, focusing on moderation, gratitude, stewardship, and honoring God. Many foods mentioned in the Bible are recognized today for their health benefits, such as olive oil, whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and honey. A comparison of Old vs. New Testament dietary approaches highlights the shift from strict law to freedom in Christ, focusing on principles and spiritual maturity over external regulations.

Comparison of Old vs. New Testament Dietary Approach


Feature	Old Covenant Approach	New Covenant Approach
Basis	Strict ceremonial law (Leviticus, Deuteronomy)	Freedom in Christ, personal conviction
Purpose	To distinguish Israel as a holy people	To glorify God and build up other believers
Restrictions	Detailed lists of clean/unclean animals, including land, sea, and air creatures	General principles, no list of prohibited foods
Guiding Rule	External compliance with specific food regulations	Internal motivation (love, faith, gratitude)
Main Concern	Eating ceremonially clean foods	Spiritual maturity and not causing others to stumble
Example	Avoidance of pork and shellfish	Permission to eat all foods with a thankful heart

Conclusion

Addressing what kind of diet does the Bible say we should eat reveals a progression from specific Old Testament laws to New Testament freedom rooted in principle. Christians today focus on moderation, gratitude, and honoring God in their food choices. The emphasis is on spiritual purity of the heart, not adherence to dietary regulations. Incorporating nourishing whole foods is consistent with biblical wisdom. For more information on Christian dietary freedom, consult resources like {Link: GotQuestions.org https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-foods.html}.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, most Christian denominations agree that believers are not required to follow the Old Testament kosher laws. New Testament passages like Acts 10 and Mark 7 indicate the ceremonial distinction between clean and unclean foods was lifted, though some denominations may choose to follow stricter diets for personal conviction.

Jesus taught that what goes into a person's mouth does not defile them; rather, defilement comes from what is in the heart. This emphasizes internal purity over external ritual, releasing his followers from the strict food laws of the Old Testament.

The Old Testament law, given to the Israelites, did forbid the consumption of pork and shellfish, deeming them 'unclean'. However, the New Testament freed Christians from these laws, so modern Christians are not forbidden from eating these foods.

The Bible does not command or forbid vegetarianism or veganism for Christians. Choosing a plant-based diet is a matter of personal conviction, but it should not be imposed on others. The scripture emphasizes giving thanks for the food God provides.

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of moderation and temperance, warning against gluttony. Proverbs 23:2, for example, advises controlling one's appetite. This principle applies to all areas of life, including eating.

A Christian should approach food choices with an attitude of gratitude and moderation, seeking to honor God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31). Choices should be guided by conscience, health, and a desire not to cause other believers to stumble.

The Daniel Fast, mentioned in the book of Daniel, refers to a period where Daniel and his companions ate only vegetables and water, abstaining from rich food and wine. This was a choice for spiritual discipline, not a command for all believers to follow as a perpetual diet.