By Aliya Deshotel

These lifestyle articles seem to be a hit, so I’ll continue writing them whenever I can. I learn so much while researching them, and I hope you feel just as inspired when you read them. This week’s article focuses on foods found in the Bible - why they mattered then, why they still matter now, and how they nourish our bodies today.

For thousands of years, food has been more than fuel. In Scripture, it is a symbol of healing, blessing, strength, and community. Yet what’s fascinating is this: many of the foods mentioned throughout the Bible also happen to be some of the most nutritionally powerful foods we can eat today.

God knew what He was doing when He created nourishment for His people.

1. Honey - Sweetness, Healing, and Energy

Biblical Reference:
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” - Psalm 119:103

In Scripture, honey represents abundance and God's provision (“a land flowing with milk and honey”). But honey is also medicinal.

Why your body needs it:

• Contains antioxidants that fight inflammation
• Naturally antibacterial - historically used for wound healing
• Helps soothe sore throats and digestive issues
• A healthier, stable-energy sweetener

Chemically, honey contains enzymes that support gut health and compounds like flavonoids that strengthen the immune system.🍯

Healthy Swap: Switch out your coffee creamer with honey!

Trust me, I know what it’s like to look forward to your perfect coffee in the morning. But years ago when I was about 18, I started drinking black coffee and slowly used less and less of the sugary creamers to wean myself off. Every now and then I’ll still treat myself, and top my coffee with some whip cream, or get a treat from the coffee shop, but knowing I took one less chemically processed food out of my daily diet makes me feel a lot better inside.

Many coffee creamers (even “sugar-free”) can be loaded with artificial ingredients like sucralose, acesulfame potassium, corn syrup, carrageenan, and vegetable oils, which can leave you feeling sluggish and craving more sugar.

Some benefits people notice when switching to honey or cutting back on creamer:
- fewer sugar crashes and less mid-morning fatigue
- less bloating and stomach irritation for some people
- fewer cravings throughout the day
- steadier energy and better focus
- a more “clean” feeling overall

A little honey goes a long way—just enough sweetness without all the extra stuff!

2. Olive Oil - Strength, Anointing, and Heart Health

Biblical Reference:
Used for anointing, offerings, and healing throughout the Old and New Testaments.
“The olive tree… its fruit for food and its leaves for healing.” - Ezekiel 47:12

Olive oil was considered a holy substance - a symbol of the Spirit, of healing and blessing.

Why your body needs it:

• Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats that protect your heart
• Contains oleocanthal, which acts like a natural anti-inflammatory
• Supports brain health

This is one of the healthiest fats on earth, and our parish cooking traditions already use plenty of it, so keep the olive oil flowing!

Common substitutes people use (that olive oil can replace)

Vegetable oil / canola oil
Use olive oil instead for sautéing, roasting, and everyday cooking.

Butter
Use olive oil instead on vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or as a bread dip.

Margarine
Olive oil is a cleaner option for cooking and adding flavor to foods.

Seed oils (soybean oil, corn oil, blended oils)
Olive oil can replace these in most cooking and homemade dressings.

Cooking spray (like Pam)
Olive oil can be brushed on pans or used in a refillable spray bottle.

Creamy bottled dressings (like ranch or Caesar)
Olive oil works great for simple dressings with lemon or vinegar and seasonings.

Store-bought marinades
Olive oil is a great base for homemade marinades with herbs, garlic, and citrus.

Easy ways to use olive oil more

• Roasting vegetables
• Making salad dressing
• Cooking eggs or sautéing meat
• Drizzling on pasta, rice, or cooked vegetables
• Dipping bread in olive oil with seasoning

3. Figs — Nourishment, Fertility, and Digestive Health

Biblical Reference:
Adam and Eve used fig leaves for covering, and Jesus references the fig tree multiple times.

Why your body needs them:

• Packed with fiber - great for digestion
• Figs are high in iron, which supports healthy ovulation and helps prevent anemia, a common issue that can affect fertility, especially in women. They also provide calcium, antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium, all vital for hormone balance and proper muscle and nerve function in reproductive organs. Figs help support hormone balance, bone health, and heart health during menopause.
• Natural sweetness without processed sugar

Chemically, figs contain prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in your gut, improving digestion and immunity.

4. Grapes & Wine — Joy, Communion, and Longevity

Biblical Reference:
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2). Wine is used symbolically throughout Scripture.

Why your body needs them (in moderation):

• Grapes contain resveratrol, a chemical shown to support heart health
• Support healthy blood flow
• High in antioxidants

Eating grapes, or drinking a small glass of red wine, can genuinely support long-term cardiovascular health. That's what I like to hear!🍷

5. Fish — Provision, Protein, and Brain Support

Biblical Reference:
Jesus fed the 5,000 with loaves and fish, and many of His disciples were fishermen.

Why your body needs it:

• High in omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for brain and heart health
• Lean protein that repairs muscles and supports metabolism
• Anti-inflammatory benefits

God repeatedly used fish as a symbol of provision, and today it remains one of the most balanced proteins we can eat.

Simple, powerful way to eat it:
Instead of frying fish, try baking it with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and lemon. It’s simple, it tastes amazing, and it’s one of the easiest ways to eat something that’s both filling and incredibly nutritious. You’ll genuinely feel better after a meal like that compared to fried fish and french fries.

Power meal tip:
Swap your french fries for sweet potatoes. They’re more nutrient-dense, naturally filling, and make the ultimate “feel good” upgrade to your plate.

6. Bread & Whole Grains — Daily Sustenance

Biblical Reference:
“Give us this day our daily bread.” - Matthew 6:11
Bread represents God’s daily provision and spiritual nourishment.

Why your body needs whole grains:

• Provide steady energy
• High in fiber
• Support stable blood sugar and a healthy gut

Ancient biblical bread was closer to whole-grain sourdough- full of fiber, nutrients, and probiotics.🍞

I always hear people say, “I’m trying to quit carbs!” - but honestly, you don’t need to quit them… you just need to eat them correctly. Carbs aren’t the enemy. They’re your body’s main source of energy, and the right ones give you fiber, help digestion, and keep you feeling full longer. The goal isn’t to cut carbs completely - it’s to stop overeating them and start choosing better ones so you can use them to your advantage.

So Why Were These Foods Chosen?

Biblical foods weren’t just symbolic, they were chemically powerful.

These foods:

• Reduce inflammation
• Support immunity
• Improve brain function
• Balance digestion
• Strengthen the heart
• Provide stable energy

Modern science continues to prove what Scripture has shown for thousands of years: God designed real food to strengthen and heal the body He gave us.

A Final Thought

The Bible isn’t just a spiritual guide, it’s a practical one.
God gave us foods that nourish the body, calm the mind, and prepare us for the work He calls us to do.

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31

May your meals this week be full of purpose, peace, and a little bit of biblical wisdom. 🤎