“Yes, You Can Eat Eggs!”

(Addressing Nutritional Fallacies)

Ellie Marrandette, NCM

When I first began my nutritional career thirty years ago, I trusted what the experts taught us. I encouraged my patients to follow some crazy recommendations of the times, like skipping eggs, potatoes, shrimp, and bread because they were “unhealthy” for us. When I began researching God’s Wellness Plan, I learned differently and initiated New Creation Ministries.

Does God make errors in judgment? Would He create the Garden of Eden, declare it “Good,” then turn around and say, “Whoops, I made a mistake – don’t eat potatoes!” Would you accept what someone says blindly or would you do your own research?

“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.” (Proverbs 15:14)

My Litmus test for truth has always been, “What does God say about it?” Would God instruct us in Genesis 1:29, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” then exclaim, “Ut-Oh!” I doubt it because my God doesn’t make mistakes. (In Genesis 9:3, post-flood, God declared it acceptable to consume meat.)

My go-to for accuracy is the Bible. Contrary to historical worldly science, it holds no mistakes. Scripture declared the Earth round, a fetus having a beating heart, and men living with dinosaurs long before science had to retract its ridiculous theories.

False diet gurus exhort cutting out a food group, giving up bananas, sweet potatoes, or legumes. Eat more fat, give up fat, eat tons of protein, and avoid all carbohydrates (without distinguishing simple from the complex.) 

So how are we to know what’s true and what’s not? By comparing God’s Truth to physiological truth.

Think of it this way: God could have designed us to be energized by solar power, oil, or hydro energy. But He chose nutrition as the source of our metabolic power. How much more fun is it to consume food rather than oil?  God gave us a gift! When we receive a cherished gift we honor it, right? Then why do we trash God’s Heavenly gift?

Is it any wonder why we feel so discouraged mentally and physically after following unhealthy diets with artificial preservatives, dyes, and chemicals? This creates changes in brain chemistry. We weren’t meant to run on junk food because it interferes with healthy physiology. These harm our bodily functions and the devil dances gleefully as we give in to foods that ultimately harm our earthly temple.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Nutritional scientists are always changing their minds, God doesn’t. Over the past 15 years, some “bad” foods have become “acceptable” again while some fad diets will declare certain foods off-limits. For example, the Paleo diet claims lentils, beans & potatoes are forbidden. Silly, if God created it for food, it shouldn’t be avoided unless you’re allergic to it.

Let’s address some nutritional fallacies you might have believed in the past:

Bread. A 1970’s Scandinavian study discovered when men consumed twelve slices of whole-grain bread every day for 2 weeks, rather than gain, they lost weight. (Jesus declared himself to be the Bread of Life.) Bread, is loaded with B vitamins, which convert fats, proteins, and carbs into energy. The fiber in hearty bread attaches to cholesterol, moving sludge out of one’s system, allowing the absorption of vital nutrients, which process food into energy.

Nuts: Yes, they are loaded with calories and should be eaten in moderation. But nuts reduce the bad LDL cholesterol while increasing the good HDL which protects against heart disease. Nuts are packed with protein, enzymes, antioxidants, and so many beneficial nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B12, vitamin E, manganese, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids. Pistachios fight cortisol, the stress hormone. Walnuts are essential for brain function and cognitive retention!

Red Meat:  Do you know that red meat is one of the few places we can find B12, a vital nutrient in fighting fatigue and neurological damage? When given to dementia patients, most saw improvement. It also contains zinc, iron, B6, and niacin among other important elements. But choose wisely: select anything labeled “round” or “loin” as the best cuts for health. A 3-ounce serving is approximately 150 calories and 4 grams of fat which is less than dark meat chicken.

Eggs: Eggs contained, A, D, E, B6, B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, iron, choline, folate, selenium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vital amino acids among other nutrients. Does that sound like something we should avoid? Of course not! And they also reduce bad but raise good cholesterol.

Potatoes: Of course, if one consistently eats super-sized greasy fries as opposed to medium-sized baked potatoes, they’ll risk health problems. (And don’t pile on tons of rich toppings,) Health benefits include lower cholesterol and better digestion due to its high fiber content. Potatoes lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and thereby strengthen the immune system. They are high in potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, folate, vitamin C, B6, and other valuable nutrients.

Chocolate: Any food becomes fattening when we lose control and overindulge but chocolate has gotten a bad rap. Chocolate contains many vital nutrients such as magnesium, iron, selenium, and phenylethylamine which actually affect weight management, stimulate the nervous system, and assist in digestion aid. It also of course emits the same emotion as love.

An ounce or two of dark chocolate chips or two Hershey Kisses won’t destroy your health plan. (When God told us to consume every green plant and tree in the garden, it didn’t surprise me to discover that the cocoa bean comes from a tree.)

If you lose control, it’s about something other than food- possibly an addiction for a feel-good hormone. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”   (James 1:14)

Shrimp: “Too much cholesterol!” scientists declared. Once again, we discover that the cholesterol in shrimp works to increase the good HDL while lowering the bad LDL type. Over the years, similar revelations were found with butter, coconut oil, and nut butter.

Avocados: If you had to categorize this item, where would you place it: carb, protein, or fat? Most would identify it as a vegetable, yet it has a pit that makes it a fruit. Nutritionally, this fruit contains 32% monounsaturated fat, which attacks lousy LDL cholesterol and builds HDL levels. It contains over 20 vitamins, minerals, and healthy fat. Categorize it as healthy!

Bananas: This often–maligned fruit is one everyone should eat daily! Magnesium, potassium, B’s, even vitamin C! Chocked full of fiber, it allows insulin to be released more slowly into your system, thus fewer hunger pains. Starts out as a starch. becoming more of a simple carbohydrate as it ripens (still nutritious.)

Beans/lentils: The Paleo diet advocates avoiding them. Really? These beneficial foods have both soluble and insoluble fiber which reduces toxins, heart, and digestive issues. It contains protein, thiamine, E, folic acid, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, etc. etc. . . .  so, what do you think???

“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” (Proverbs 2:11)

When are we going to understand that God is actually smarter than we are? When are we going to trust what He proclaimed 6,000 years ago nutritionally, is still Truth for today?