"In order to maintain health, a sufficient supply of good, nourishing food is needed. MH 299.1"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
This verse emphasizes the importance of caring for one's body as a temple, which aligns with the idea of providing it with nourishing food to maintain health.
"If we plan wisely, that which is most conducive to health can be secured in almost every land. The various preparations of rice, wheat, corn, and oats are sent abroad everywhere, also beans, peas, and lentils. These, with native or imported fruits, and the variety of vegetables that grow in each locality, give an opportunity to select a dietary that is complete without the use of flesh meats. MH 299.2"
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
The EGW passage echoes the Genesis verse by advocating for a plant-based diet, aligning with God's original provision for humanity's food.
"Wherever fruit can be grown in abundance, a liberal supply should be prepared for winter, by canning or drying. Small fruits, such as currants, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, can be grown to advantage in many places where they are but little used and their cultivation is neglected. MH 299.3"
"A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;"
Both passages discuss the abundance of fruits and grains that a land can provide. While Deuteronomy 8:8 lists specific examples, the EGW passage encourages the cultivation and preservation of fruits, reflecting a similar theme of utilizing available resources.
"Wherever dried fruits, such as raisins, prunes, apples, pears, peaches, and apricots are obtainable at moderate prices, it will be found that they can be used as staple articles of diet much more freely than is customary, with the best results to the health and vigor of all classes of workers. MH 299.5"
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
This verse describes God's provision of fruits and seeds for food, which aligns with the passage's emphasis on using dried fruits as a staple diet.
"There should not be a great variety at any one meal, for this encourages overeating and causes indigestion. MH 299.6 It is not well to eat fruit and vegetables at the same meal. If the digestion is feeble, the use of both will often cause distress and inability to put forth mental effort. It is better to have the fruit at one meal and the vegetables at another. MH 299.7"
"Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it."
This verse speaks against excess, which aligns with the idea of not having a great variety at one meal to avoid overeating.