This series has been drawn out far longer than I intended, so if you are new here and haven’t read parts 1 and 2, you might want to check them out first. Part 1 establishes a philosophy of using the Bible as our first source of wisdom concerning food choices, part 2 discusses the issue of meats, and today we will be talking about grains.
Until recent years there would have been no debate about the value of grains. Because of the low or no carb diets, the paleo diet, and even the GAPS diet, there is a growing confusion as to whether or not we should eat grains at all. There are growing numbers of very real health issues related to gluten and grain intolerance. But before we look at that we need to establish what God says is good.
If we are going to design a “real food” diet based on what the Bible says, there can be no doubt that grains can and should be included. Grains and foods made from grains such as “breads” or “cakes” are found throughout the Bible. Bread was part of the priests’ inheritance along with portions of the sacrificial animals. They were given a portion of each daily and were to eat it before the people. (Ex. 29:31-34, Lev. 8:31) The Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread yearly in honor of the Passover (Ex. 12:14-15). Jesus broke bread with his disciples just prior to his crucifixion, establishing the first communion (Matt. 26:26-29).
There are literally hundreds of references concerning grains and grain products. Most are referring to them as blessings and nourishment. If you are really into researching this topic you can look up the terms bread(s), wheat, barley, cake(s), and loaves. God intended for grains to be a healthy part of our diet. However, like in so many other areas, modern farming and preparation of grains has destroyed their life-giving ability and even made them harmful in some instances.
Because of greed on the part of some and ignorance on the part of others, we have embraced agribusiness rather than agriculture. We have chosen high production over high quality. So, even though this country may produce an abundance of food, much of it is genetically modified (GMO), and sprayed with harmful chemicals. The land is depleted of nutrients because the plants remove a huge variety of minerals but only about three are replaced. On top of this, we process grains in a way that further destroys nutrients in the grains and also makes them indigestible to us. All of this adds up to many health problems due to food allergies that simply did not exist at all or did not exist in the vast quantities they do today. It is therefore necessary for some to adopt diets that will bring healing to their bodies that already healthy people do not need.
There are times to grain free. I recognize that. Some that have serious health issues may want to check into the GAPS diet or going gluten free. For others, learning to buy healthy grains and properly prepare them may be enough to establish and preserve good health. There are some great books and websites offering a wealth of information about properly prepared grains. If you are interested in looking into this further check out GNOWFGLINS, Kitchen Stewardship, or the Healthy Home Economist.
Grains have nourished people for thousands of years. They can continue to be a healthy option if we willing to relearn some skills that have been lost in our modern age. What do you think about eating grains?
If you make your own bread you might want to check out my 7 Hour Bread.
This post is linked to Homestead Revival – Barn Hop , Monday Mania, and Traditional Tuesdays.
Photo Credits: wheat – Cochrane, bread – dan
Thank you so much for writing this. I have been struggling because some of our family is doing GAPS, but it is just SO expensive! I am praying about what God would have me do. I am hoping our somewhat minor issues can just be healed over time with a diet like Nourishing Traditions since GAPS is so time-consuming and frankly, unaffordable even for 4 of us to be on it.
I too have considered doing GAPS for a season, but since we don’t have any major health issues, we will stick with traditional preparations of foods. Blessings in your efforts.
I don’t believe G-d would want me to dishonor the temple of my body by putting things into it that are harmful. G-d made arsenic too, so why don’t we eat that? It’s natural and organic! I don’t know about you, but my life is too short already to be spending hours soaking, sprouting and fermenting food just to make it less toxic!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I have seven children, six still at home, and yes I do take the time to soak and ferment foods. I agree that we should not put things in our bodies that are toxic. Arsenic is never eaten or recommended in the Bible. My point is that every food group has a purpose. And unless we are already sick, we need the different food groups for optimal health. Good food preparation does take time, no matter how you look at it.
“unless we are already sick, we need the different food groups for optimal health”
From that perspective, what’s in grains that you can’t get more of, in a more bioavailable form, from a less toxic source?
And “food groups” are an arbitrary, artificial concept that was thought up by nutritionist reductionists!
I appreciate your distrust of “nutritionist reductionists.” I am using the Bible as my primary text here, with science and nutritionists as a secondary source. If you want to see my original post in this series it shares the philosophy I am coming from. And we can certainly agree to disagree respectively.
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