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Health and diet are integral aspects of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church. But that is not all, the religion is also highly concerned with the Bible and life after death. Regarding diet, the belief is that their bodies are made of what they consume. They believe in consuming the foods the Bible has verified. Over time the diet has undergone several modifications as people try to keep up with it while still enjoying their favorite foods. So what has changed, and what can you and cannot eat? Find out in this read as we explore the seventh day Adventist diet in depth.
As the name implies, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) diet is a diet plan promoted by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They believe that God calls them to care for their health, so they have invested in crafting their “ideal” diet. But it is not just only that. The diet comes with a set of rules or principles, which are viewed as the Seventh Day Adventist diet beliefs. Some of them include (3):
Although the SDA diet beliefs shed some light on what members can eat and avoid, the diet varies among members. The variation arises from the many modifications the members have made to the diet.
For example, some members enjoy fish while others avoid it. Similarly, some may avoid all animal products, while some may include a couple, like milk. This might explain the confusion amongst new SDA members and their multiple searches online about this diet.
However, most members have been known to follow a plant-based diet, with 50% following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (1). Members following this diet consume eggs and dairy products, and plant foods.
Nevertheless, the underlying factor is that individuals following the Seventh-day Adventist diet must include the following foods (3):
Again, the foods to avoid when following a 7 day Adventist diet depend on the diet variation you are following. For example, those following a pure seventh day Adventist vegetarianism diet must avoid meat, fish, and poultry.
However, those following the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet can consume dairy products like milk and eggs. Nevertheless, in most cases the diet bans the following (1), (3):
If you look at the list of the banned foods, you will realize that this diet prohibits the consumption of caffeinated tea and coffee. Similarly, it often prohibits milk consumption, except for those following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet.
This limits the breakfast choices, making most people question what individuals following this diet have for breakfast. The breakfast staple in this diet is oatmeal. It is highly nutritious and among the recommended foods in this diet.
There are many ways you can make your morning oatmeal so that it does not become bland. For example, you could add fruits such as bananas, blueberries, apples, strawberries, peaches, raspberries, mangoes, blackberries, and pears for extra sweetness.
The Seventh-day Adventist diet has been linked to several health benefits, particularly those associated with the consumption of a vegetarian diet. Some of them include (1), (2):
We all know that you must consume fewer calories than you burn to maintain a calorie deficit for weight loss. Most people use weight loss diet plans to track their calorie count easily. So, the question is, is the Seventh-day Adventist diet an effective weight loss program?
Based on its dietary rules, it is safe to say it can be. First, it is a plant-based diet, and most plant-based diets have been successfully linked to weight loss because plant-based foods tend to be less energy-dense than animal-based foods. Second, it prohibits unhealthy lifestyle behaviors like drinking that increase your calorie count.
Third, it encourages exercise to burn extra calories. In light of this you can say that the diet can promote weight loss. However, it would be best to check in with your doctor first for more guidance and insight into the right weight loss program for you.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church population promotes the Seventh Day Adventist diet. It has a set of rules that encourage healthy eating, a plant-based diet, exercise, moderation, and wellness. It also prohibits unhealthy behaviors like drinking and smoking.
Because of this, it has been associated with health benefits such as reduced disease risk and better overall health. Similarly, it is linked to weight loss because it is plant-based, encourages exercise, and bans unhealthy behaviors like drinking. Please talk to your doctor if you are interested in following this diet for any of the listed benefits.
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