Counsels on Diet and Foods

by Ellen Gould White

Decades before many physiologists were concerned with the close relationship between diet and health, Ellen G. White in her writings clearly pointed out the connection between the food we eat and our physical and spiritual welfare. In her discourses and writings from 1863 onward, she discussed frequently the importance of diet and adequate nutrition.Her counsels, as preserved in pamphlets and books, in the journals of the denomination, and in personal testimonies, have exerted a strong influence on the dietetic habits of Seventh-day Adventists, and indirectly have left their impress upon the general public. In assembling the materials comprising Counsels on Diet and Foods, an effort was made to include the full range of instruction on the subject from Mrs. White’s pen. The resulting compilation is unique for it presents the counsels clustered topically under a general heading, with no attempt to provide a continuity in reading.

Genres: Health, Religion, Food, Christian, Nonfiction

495 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers. As stated in Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , “The writings of Ellen White are not a substitute for Scripture. They cannot be placed on the same level. The Holy Scriptures stand alone, the unique standard by which her and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington D.C., 1988, p. 227). Yet, as Ellen White herself noted, “The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings” (The Great Controversy, p. vii). The following is a more detailed account of the life and work of this remarkable woman who, meeting all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, helped found the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the late nineteenth century, Ellen G. White advocates a meatless diet. Such a vegetarian diet will "secure the highest development of body and mind and soul." (457) 2 Corinthians 6:16 quotes "For ye are the temple of the living God. As God has said, 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'" Mrs. White also "bears positive testimony against tobacco, spirituous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, flesh meats, butter, spices, rich cakes, mince pies, a large amount of salt, and all exciting substances used as articles of food." (468) In so stating this, however, she strongly suggest one person's diet cannot constitute another person's diet. There should be practiced tolerance as well as temperance in the vision of "health reform." Ellen White states "It is better for physical and mental soundness to refrain from living upon the flesh of animals. As far as possible we are to come back to God's original plan." (488) A vegetarian diet of nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits is God's original plan for humanity, according to Mrs. White.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another 'compilation' book of Ellen White's writings, this one of her writings on diet and foods, or "Health Reforms" as it was known. I have heard a lot about the "Health Reforms," attended quite a few health retreats, cooking schools, etc., but I really appreciate what I read in this book. I have had an opportunity to see how the "Health Reforms" evolved in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and how EGW guided the process through her (and her family's) sacrificing her/their own comforts (she says she was a "great meat eater" and hated bread and that "beans are poison to me")in faith in God having provided "light" and Biblical support for the vegetarian diet as the initial diet that God intended for mankind. It is true-- as I heard as a 'new' believer, that many of the facets of healthy diet from that era is now taken up by Science, over a hundred years later, as relevant and visionary. I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the insights into Ellen White's life and feel as if I am beginning to know her better, and that she wasn't a preachy old woman but really someone with compassion and great faith. I recommend this particularly for Adventists who didn't grow up in the Church, or attend Adventist schools. These are core insights.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this in 2008 after visiting an Adventist hospital where the food was GREAT--you cannot normally say that about hospital food so I decided to read her. Some really good stuff in here though I still
need my coffee!!

[Karen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's another book that inspires health and how to live a life to the best of our ability. Love it!!

[Marc Rasell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to guide one's health.

[Barnavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational and practical principles about health that all need to know

This book goes in deep into the subject of diet and food from the biblical perspective. At times the truth is sharp and cutting but when the statements are combined it is very well balanced and does not advocate extremes in regard to health reform. I was truly blessed by this book and plan to read it multiple times throughout the next year and many times throughout my lifetime. It is a foundational textbook for all nutritionists, medical missionaries, physicians and healthcare workers of all kinds. What we eat matters to God and when we look at how many millions are dying every year of disease caused by our diets it's sad. But there is hope and this book is a wonderful tool for sharing the principles on improving our health and restoring health to millions that are suffering and dying in the world today.

[Gary Detrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speaks A Lot Of Truth

I was indecisive between a 3 or 4 star rating. I chose 4 because I believe in the overall health principles presented here. I felt much this way before reading her thoughts.
I realize the compilers of the material laid out here were pulled from her various writings and manuscripts over a 40-year period, roughly. But, the important information presented could have been put forth in less than half the pages.

Overall, the health reforms presented are true and still agreed on by many doctors in regards to health, even though they may not follow these principles themselves.

Bottom line; I like the information as a whole, but much presented here was repetitive.

[Roberto Bovina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our body is the seat of the holy spirit, so we need to maintain it in good shape, with temperance. Food excess, too much drinking, smoking, meat-eating, are the main culprit against god's advice. The author cites the Bible, reasoning on the right conduct in terms of food and social manners. She inspired the group of Adventists, who are among the most longevous people on earth, according to several recent studies. Before to arrive at this, I've read John Kellogg's The living temple, very inspiring.

[James Robert Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen G. White is the primary forebearer of the Adventist Lifestyle which is the only Lifestyle intervention proven to extend human life.
Insight into Mrs. White's work will not only give one a leg up in regards to health but also new respect for the lifestyle of active Christianity.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the easiest read, but lots of health truth shared. Amazing to me how ahead of time the counsels are.

[Pen Of · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides hatred for flesh diet by the author, which is understandable from her religious convictions I might say though her advice can work wonders for someone who wants to slim down.in a week.

[Thomas Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on healthy foods!

[Richard Amegavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whole food diet resource material

Every man and woman has the opportunity, to a great extent, of making themselves whatever he / she chooses to be.
You are what you eat...

[Silvana dos Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deus nos deixou tantas orientações preciosas quanto a nossa alimentação, precisamos estudar mais e colocar em pratica