306
Counsels on Diet and Foods
and may be caught where the water is pure and fresh. Thus when used
as food they bring disease and death on those who do not suspect the
danger.—
The Ministry of Healing, 314, 315, 1905
Recognition of Emergency Conditions
699. Where plenty of good milk and fruit can be obtained there is
rarely any excuse for eating animal food; it is not necessary to take the
life of any of God’s creatures to supply our ordinary needs. In certain
cases of illness or exhaustion it may be thought best to use some meat,
but great care should be taken to secure the flesh of healthy animals. It
has come to be a very serious question whether it is safe to use flesh
food at all in this age of the world. It would be better never to eat meat
than to use the flesh of animals that are not healthy. When I could not
obtain the food I needed, I have sometimes eaten a little meat; but I
am becoming more and more afraid of it.—
Christian Temperance and
Bible Hygiene, 117, 118, 1890
[
Ellen G. White at times compelled to eat a little meat—Appendix
1:10
]
700. Some honestly think that a proper dietary consists chiefly
of porridge. To eat largely of porridge would not ensure health to
the digestive organs; for it is too much like liquid. Encourage the
eating of fruit and vegetables and bread. A meat diet is not the most
wholesome of diets, and yet I would not take the position that meat
[395]
should be discarded by every one. Those who have feeble digestive
organs can often use meat, when they cannot eat vegetables, fruit, or
porridge. If we would preserve the best health, we should avoid eating
vegetables and fruit at the same meal. If the stomach is feeble, there
will be distress, the brain will be confused, and unable to put forth
mental effort. Have fruit at one meal and vegetables at the next....
Sweet cakes, sweet puddings, and custards will disorder the di-
gestive organs; and why should we tempt those who surround the
table by placing such articles before them? The more largely flesh
composes the diet of teachers and pupils, the less susceptible will
be the mind to comprehend spiritual things. The animal propensities
are strengthened, and the fine sensibilities of the mind are blunted.
Diligent study is not the principal cause of the breaking down of the
mental powers. The main cause is improper diet, irregular meals, and