How To Eat To Live - Book 1

by Elijah Muhammad

How To Eat To Live, Book 1 By Elijah Muhammad For more than 30 years, messenger Elijah Muhammad has been teaching the so-called Negroes of America on the proper foods to eat to improve their mental power, physical appearance, for prevention of illness, curing of ailments and prolonging life. Given the humble, economic conditions of the blacks in America, an inexpensive, yet highly nutritional diet was given to them by Elijah Muhammad. Before the health craze that has swept the country, Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam were head of the curve as far back as the early 30's. This is the first of two books written with this simple, yet revolutionary way of eating.

Genres: Health, Religion, Islam

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

People in 1931 in the United States founded Nation of Islam, a religious and cultural organization, espousing principles and favoring political, social, and economic independence for African Americans; American activist Elijah Muhammad, originally Elijah Poole led it from 1934 to 1975.

He mentored Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, and Muhammad Ali and fathered Warith Deen Mohammed, his son.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_...

Reviews

[H.K. Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is probably the most repetitive book ever and could've been written in 2 or 3 pages. it's written in the tone of a demanding parent, with no research to support his claims, and no justification behind his directives to eat 1 meal a day (and work your way up to 1 meal every 3 days) aside from this is what God in the form of master fard muhammad told him. He doesn't take into account individual activity levels, which he believes is irrelevant to how much nutrition/food we require (so lebron james and a couch potato should have the same 1 meal every couple days meal plan). i also became annoyed with how many time i was told not to eat swine/pork. I don't even eat pork but it was just repeated sooo much it became ridiculous. i started this book intrigued by elijah muhammad because i know he was a teacher to malcolm x, but this book was nothing more than 1. don't eat swine 2. don't eat meat even though i do 3. eat once every 1-3 days. 4. white ppl are devils 5. black people are ignorant for following devils. 6. all praise is due to master fard muhammad

[Diamond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've done just fine with an abridged version. It would have saved me another 45 minutes. Monotonous. Repetitive. Anything past chapter 5 was superfluous. He had some good points, though. Overall with this book, I could take it or leave it. More so, leave it and find an infographic online that gives me the same info in less than 5 minutes.

[Christopher Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't miss the point

Not a great read due to redundancy and dogmatic drilling in of points with little explanation. Still, for a book written in the 60's that alludes to a plant based diet, intermittent fasting, lack of pure, "whole foods" and digestive health, this book seems almost prophetic in 2017. My favorite line, "Don't eat kale!". Enough said.

[shawm moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

One size doesn't fit all

While I do agree with a lot of the book, based on my own healthy eating habits, there were a few things I didn't agree with, at least as it relates to me. For instance, eating once a day ( which I have tried on numerous occasions) doesn't work for me. The thing that doesn't sit well with me is that Mr. Muhammad seems to think that because eating once a day worked for him that it should work for everyone. With all due respect, he was a small,frail man. I, on the other hand, am at least a foot taller and one hundred pounds heavier than him. (And no, I am not fat, 6'5 213lbs). My bigger point is everyone has different body types and I know exactly what works for me and what doesn't. Another annoyance was Mr Muhammad's tendency to repeat him constantly. Please don't get me wrong I found this book to be very useful and informative but I don't agree with every single word...

[Rita R Tuckett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, maybe it was the time or era this was written that influenced the authors writing. I found the information given too repetitive! Although, the dietary advice hmm...should be followed since Americans do OVERINDULGE in good and bad foods! Especially, during their traditional holidays!!

Found the author redundant and repetitive to the point of annoyance!!
Simply written ! Maybe it was the time or era influencing how the book was written. Although, the dietary suggestion of "one meal a day" is quite fascinating especially in light of how wealthy or poor Americans eat their lives away according to today's research!! The author may have a great health revelation...hmm...from God?

[Reginald Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I like the book, and I'm using what I learned. I was 230 before reading this book, now I'm 214.

[Denese D. Enriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eat Right, Eat Less, Live Longer

This book lists all the foods that people should eat and the ones they should not eat. It also tells us how often people should eat. Sadly, all of the foods we should not eat are a big part of the world's diet today & out eating schedule is sure death. That's the reason the pharmaceutical companies and doctors are so rich! The book is also very repetitive throughout, but that seem intentional... Repetition could help the reader internalize the message more and likely take action or it can turn people off from reading the book straight through. There was also a lot of judgement and condemnation of white people in the book... Again, I think that too is intentional but despite that, once a reader can get pass these, the book has some very useful pearls and gems that a reader can use & live by. These certainly would not be useful to swines (no pun intended :) )

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a White American, from the South, born in the late 1960s, to intelligent, open-minded, feminist, college educators, I have always known that I would need to dig deeper to learn accurate information about most things in life. I have known for as long as I can remember that anything I knew about Black Americans, actually any non-British Protestant Whites,for that matter, needed more investigation before judgment. The Nation of Islam and the Black Panthers have always been folks I have known I did not know enough about.
In the autumn of 2023, I saw a documentary that talked a bit about both groups and their activities regarding improving the diet and nutrition of the Black community in America in the 1960s. I was intrigued, and that is how I came to find this book and read it.

[Terrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great message

The book brought out familiar truths and also confirmed previous knowledge. Religion can be misleading and the point of message could be lost due to modest confusion. Hopefully everyone who reads this should grow as a Being.

I would recommend this book to those who wants to be responsible for the knowledge gained after reading this book.

I chose five stars because it’s a constructive teachings

[Leon olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!

I've been a vegan for over 3 years before the teachings of this masterpiece. I've fasted and also practice the one meal a day (intermittent fast) before touching this book. So I was already aware of the powers associated with it. This book was a confirmation and enlightenment to the known and unknown hidden knowledge. Simplistic, yet informative! Thanks to the honorable Elijah Muhammad!

[Jaydah Peat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Easy Read with basic fundamentals

Was recommended this book by Rizza Islam. It’s an easy read with great principles to live by for a long healthy life. I’m starting my fasting journey today and know I will be successful. I honestly feel like I don’t need to ready anything else combining what I learned, what I already know, and common sense. Now it’s just time to make the right choices. This book was my nudge in the right direction. Thawadah

[Diangelio T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I can't say anything negative about this book but I will say it's more opinion based then actual facts. Of course we all know tobacco is bad for you but having data to prove that is better then just saying it.

[(Ann) Susan Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Eat to live

Very informative and I'm trying the one meal a day so far so good. It's harder at work because the bring donuts and other food or they order out, but I'm working on that.

[Otis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old knowledge, now being rediscovered

This book is a gem. Intermittent Fasting, as described in this book, is now in fashion, but it's old knowledge. The way of eating prescribed here are sure to bring about good health.

[Aysha Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info

Great info. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was on point with everything he said in this book and research proves it!! They(researchers) were late to the knowledge given in this book that's how you know he was given this wisdom from God himself!!

[Theo Woodley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand what Elijah was recommending but the redundancy topics was slightly annoying. I subscribe to the recommendations and I look forward to finishing Book II

[Antonious Favors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This is a good book. I found it very interesting, and I could agree with a lot of what is being taught

[Nikki McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. Very repetitive. I don’t know if that was done purposely to make certain points stick to the reader or not. I felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over again.

[Sabura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely a Must read for all Black people. It is a book I have read over & over.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting bits about bread and potatoes, but repetitive and like any other religion says its enemies worship money.

[Theodore Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prophetic. To be written in 1967 the Messenger does an eloquent job of informing the follower of Allah how to eat to live.

[Nerva Augustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found the book to be very insightful. I find it interesting that this diet is currently being followed in today's world.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Literature

Very insightful book, I recommend it, but I don't agree with what he said about Christians tho'. Christianity is a very good religion 🙏✨

[Andrea X · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book is simple and gets right to the point.

[Neil Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too repetitive.

But a lot of good points on eating habits, especially considering it’s over 60 years old. This book was my motivation to try intermittent fasting and reduce my meat intake.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent dietary guidance from The Best of Knowers straight to Elijah Muhammad then brought to us In this wonderful book

[Tiarra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive. This book should be the half the length it is. Although there are some good points made, most of the content is not backed by science.

[LaShana Claude · Rating 1 out of 5]

We give credit to the Jews for still trying to obey that which they were ordered to do by Allah, through the prophets that Allah sent to them. The jews paid the penalty for

[Sirena Luz · Rating 1 out of 5]

very redundant and monotonous. the book could have been condensed into a couple of pages. considering ti was written in the 60s I wasn't sure what to expect.

[Jay Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eureka

This book changed my eating habits! In my studies of this faith the self discipline and knowledge always impresses me. I reccomend this book only for those with an open mind.