Was Jesus into wellness?

Could it be possible that Jesus Christ was the original wellness guru? Let us explore the nuggets of wisdom written in the Good Book and others based on the Bible and find meaning in them.

What Jesus ate

Countless books have been written about Biblical food, the culinary traditions during the time of Jesus and the actual diet he followed. While these are strictly speculations, they are generally well-founded on Jewish tradition and certain references from the Bible.

The miracle that nourished thousands — Jesus’ example of wellness in action. FREE IMAGE BY KAR3NT ON PIXABAY

One such book is the “The Jesus Diet.” Written by Lacy, it is inspired by Jesus’ teachings and serves as a spiritual journey covering weight loss, eating healthy and exploring relationships with God, oneself and the community. Then there is “What Would Jesus Eat?” by Don Colbert, which is based on biblical principles and includes healthy eating traditions.

However, since there is no one specific diet emerging from the Bible that Jesus ate, one can safely infer that he likely consumed what was commonly available during his time, which included the following whole foods:

Grains. Unleavened bread, barley and other grains. Leavened bread is similar to what is now known as sourdough.

Remember that there was no means of preserving food at the time. Therefore, bread must have been made fresh on a daily basis from coarse flour. This means their bread would have a high fiber content.

Fruits and vegetables. Grapes, apricots, blackberries, dates, figs, pomegranates, watermelon, olives, onions, leek, chicory, garlic and cucumbers.

Fish. Freshly caught fish, most probably St. Peter’s fish (Tilapia) and some carp, were common fish in the Sea of Galilee.

Take note of these passages from the Bible after the Resurrection mentioning these food groups:

In John 21: 9-14, we find the Risen Jesus cooking: “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it and some bread.”

Moreover, the feeding of the 5,000 with loaves of bread and fish is the first miracle recorded in all four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Meats: These were reserved for special occasions and generally comprised of pigeon, goat, lamb and cow.

Grains: Wheat and barley.

Olive oil: The only oil used for cooking.

Beverages. Common beverages included wine, water and grape juice.

Water. Sources include wells, springs, cisterns and the Jordan River.

Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas and fava beans.

Honey. This was the only known sweetener then.

As a Jew, Jesus abstained from pork and shellfish. These were considered unclean during that time according to the custom. The following passages indicate this:

Leviticus 11:9 — “You may eat any kind of fish that has fins and scales.”

Mark 7:19 — “All foods have been declared clean.”

Let us also heed 1 Timothy 4:4, which says, “Receive it with thanksgiving,” and recognize the underlying message to eat with a merry heart filled with gratitude.

Sleeping habits

Of course, Jesus sometimes stayed up late. He would pray all night, and there were times he would take a nap during the day. But in general, he was known to have slept at nightfall and wake up at first light. This could likely mean an 8 p.m. bedtime and a 5 a.m. waking time, giving him an estimated total of nine hours of sleep.

Exercise regimen

Was there a “Jesus Workout?” While the Bible does not mention any exercise routine, we can surmise that he did a lot of walking. His physical activity comprised traveling on foot from village to village for his ministry.

Rest

In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” We can glean from this that he wants us to take a step back from the busy world from time to time, go on nature breaks, find our sanctuary, embrace our inner peace, and take a moment to pray.

Stress management

Jesus lifted up his problems to God. He did not try to solve problems on his own. Instead, he clung to his faith because of His strong relationship with his Father.

As Philippians 4:6-7 reads, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Human interactions

The life of Jesus was filled with human interaction. He was a teacher and a preacher. In today’s terms, he socialized and mingled with people. Thus, his public life allowed him to express and experience various human emotions, including joy and compassion. Certain biblical accounts support this, showing him being moved by the people’s faith, smiling in the presence of children and enjoying a wedding celebration.

On forgiveness

The heart can be embittered by hate and anger. This state of emotion can depress the spirit both emotionally and physically. This is why Jesus taught forgiveness, encouraging his followers — that means all of us — to forgive others as God forgives them.

In Luke 23:34, Jesus exemplified forgiveness until the very end when he said, ” Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”

Wellness takeaways

Taking all these into account, it becomes clear that the life Jesus lived offers timeless wellness principles we can apply today — (1) eating healthy through whole foods, (2) staying physically active, (3) getting good quality sleep, and (4) making time for prayer and rest. He also valued (5) strong connections within the community, (6) lived with intention and purpose, (7) faced challenges with unwavering faith, and (8) kept his heart light by choosing forgiveness.

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This week’s cleansing juice

Pure coconut water straight from the shell is a mineral-rich drink packed with electrolytes. Perfect for a summer drink, it is, more importantly, a welcome kidney cleanse.

And while you’re at it, eat the coconut meat as part of your meal. Its fiber-rich content can eventually contribute to weight loss.

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Exercise of the week

Turn your daily walk into a “Prayer Walk” by slowing down your pace and talking to the Lord. Practice mindfulness everywhere you go.

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Affirmation: “I am alive in the Spirit.”

Love and light.