No More “Twigs And Twigs & Sticks” Diets

No More “Sticks and Twigs” Diets

Although it certainly did not start that way, “Max” became my favorite patient during my 25-year nutritional career.

His wife had already turned her life in a healthier direction and it showed. Now she attempted to get her husband in for an appointment, but he stubbornly resisted.

I’ll never forget the day he entered my office. He trounced in, sat down, placed his arms across his chest, and glaringly announced, “Let’s get this straight, I’m only here because my wife nagged me to come in. She thinks I need to lose weight.” He patted his abundant belly. “I think I look great! Okay, I told her, fine! I’ll try it for three weeks and that’s it! Then I’m done . . . outta here. Just wanted you to know.”

I saw the imaginary chip on his shoulder daring me to knock it off. But by saying this, I knew this gruff-looking grandfather had a marshmallow center. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have cared what I thought after he abandoned me. He simply would have left.

I smiled sympathetically. “Sir, are you under the impression that you’re going to be eating sticks and twigs? Well, I can assure you that will not be the case. I have no rice cakes on my menus. My philosophy is that anything is fine in moderation, even sirloin steaks, potatoes, and beer.”

His body language conveyed immediate relief as I convinced him he would not be suffering through any celery and cottage cheese diet. This is what I call “the Penance Principle.” To earn something worthwhile, one must suffer. Not True!

“It won’t be much of a sacrifice,” I explained. “Consuming nutritionally-dense foods will make you stronger, smarter, and more energetic. That’s not a bad trade.”

Are you suffering when you eat an apple, garden salad, sweet potato, or sirloin steak? These are gifts from God and a father gives only good gifts to his children.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Why do people believe, incorrectly, that they must suffer for something to work? I can’t obtain a healthy lifestyle unless I consume tasteless food or starve!

Our LORD’s plan is simpler and healthier than any false diet guru’s expensive, unbalanced proposal. God created every nutrient with explicit functions. Therefore, eat for nutrients. The secret to long-term health is choosing a balanced lifestyle glorifying our LORD.

God created each body to function uniquely. A construction worker and an accountant require different nutrients. An accountant’s brain primarily needs glucose (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and a stimulating exercise routine to get him off his chair. Whereas the construction worker needs a certain amount of extra protein, water, and stress-relieving exercises. There’s no one-size-fits-all diet plan. Everyone needs a workable diet strategy for the real world they live in, which complements our body, mind, and spirit.

Well, back to Max. During our visits, I learned Max, years ago, had won an Olympic Gold Medal. With that in mind, I surmised he had a naturally competitive spirit. With his wife’s assistance, weight loss became their competitive game.

Men almost always lose weight faster because they’re the more muscular sex. Muscle is the furnace that burns fat. His wife played along because all she wanted was a healthier husband. Continued success brought out his athletic prowess which built more muscle. He couldn’t wait to report in and record his progress each week. Three weeks came and went.

A year later, at his last appointment, Max had lost 72 pounds, reaching his goal. Even more, he had a much healthier heart, lower cholesterol, wasn’t prediabetic, and was much more energetic! As he left my office, he turned and calmly said, “Ya know Ellie, you probably saved my life.” With that, he walked away.

I was grateful he never noticed my tears.

Why do men, in particular, resist the urge to seek direction? I see this with men who would rather purchase the latest golf gimmick than acquire a golf lesson. Most men would rather procrastinate than visit a doctor! Why? Is it Fear? Pride? Selfishness?

As Christians, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We wouldn’t think of throwing trash on the floor of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, so why do we trash our bodily temple?

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”                             (I Corinthians 3:16)

Why do we reject God’s original plan for a nutritious diet and consume chemically-based, fattening, processed, dyed, unhealthy choices instead? Destroying our temple is exactly what Satan wants.

That kind of acidic diet raises the danger of cancer, diabetes, heart disease or other illness. Because our bodies do not recognize chemicals as food, all those toxins sit and fester in the liver, the clearinghouse of the body. Consuming hormone-injected fast food might be one reason children are reaching puberty at younger ages. Happy Meals are not so happy for your beloved grandchildren’s future.

As in Salvation, healthier living begins from within, with a new mindset. Believing and accepting a new way to live honors our LORD. We have free will. 1 Corinthians 6:12 states that: ” . . . anything is acceptable but not everything is beneficial.”

Your body wants to live vibrantly! I guarantee if you resist adding unhealthy fats, sugar, salt, and sodas to your diet for any length of time, your appetite will crave healthier foods. You’ll walk by that plate of donuts and wonder why you thought they were so tasty.

I urge you to choose what is beneficial to honor God for yourself and your family’s wellbeing.

Article and Photo Published With Permission