What Do Seventh-day Adventists Eat?
There’s some buzz that Adventists in Loma Linda California are one of the blue zones of the world (aka: they live longer) so one of the most frequently asked questions is “What Do Adventists Eat?”. As a whole, Adventists typically follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Each member eats a little differently and their food choices may consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and healthy fats such as olive oil. Most Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) try to stay away from processed foods, sugar, sugar substitutes, and food additives.
Adventists also traditionally follow the eight health principles which may also be in part why they live longer as a community.
The eight health principles are as follows:
- Health Principle: Nutrition
- Divine Power Principle
- Exercise Principle
- Rest Principle
- Abstemiousnes Principle
- Fresh Air Principle
- Water Principle
- Sunlight Principle
Why Are Adventists Primarily Vegetarians?
The “health message” runs in the blood of the Adventist church and has been around nearly as long as the church itself. Ellen White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church had two visions in the 1860s showing her that followers of Christ should follow eight basic principles for a healthy lifestyle
The second of the two visions resulted in the establishment of the Western Health Reform Institute devoted to health reform, health education and caring for the sick in a new way. Seventeen other SDA health institutes followed in the United States and nine were opened overseas. Today, Seventh-day Adventists continue to lead the way in health care with many healthcare and education facilities including Loma Linda University which is one of the top Universities for public health. They also continue to stand by vegetarianism and have been the subjects in many vegetarian studies which have continued to show that a vegetarian lifestyle can contribute to a longer and healthier life.
A Few Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
The benefits of eating a vegetarian diet range from reducing water usage to preventing deforestation of rain forests to the prevention of diseases.
A preventative vegetarian diet can lower your risk of…
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
Other FAQs
What Is The Seventh-day Adventist Diet Plan?
Seventh-day Adventist’s typically just follow a healthy vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. So, there really isn’t much of a diet plan. However there are several great programs you can use to learn if you’re interested in becoming a vegetarian or vegan. In fact, I had a nutritionist put together a detox-type program and a weight loss lifestyle program for my readers that follow Adventist principles. You can learn more by clicking here.
What about Meat?
Some SDA Members do eat clean meats including chicken, turkey, beef, fish, venison, lamb, and goat-among others. Unclean meats are seldom consumed by Seventh-day Adventists as members follow the health laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The Adventist church as an organization however, promotes a vegetarian diet for optimal health.
Do Adventist Drink?
Nope.
Smoke?
No
Use Tobacco In Other Forms?
Nada.
Why Don’t Adventists Eat “Unclean” Foods?
Adventists believe that unlike ceremonial or civil laws, the health laws of Deuteronomy and Leviticus are “natural laws” that are applicable for all ages and times. In other words, God told us not to eat particular foods for our own health and well-being, and we believe those foods are still unhealthy for us today.