What Are the Advantages of a Vegetarian Diet?

God’s original diet for humanity was vegetarian. God told Adam, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food’” (Gen. 1:29, NIV). In the ecologically devastated world after the flood, God told Noah and his family, “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Gen. 9:3, NIV). In Leviticus 11, the Law of Moses outlines what meats should be considered “clean” and suitable for eating, such as those with divided hooves which chew the cud (v. 3) or which have fins and scales (v. 9), and certain hopping insects (vv. 21 and 22). It also describes those which are “unclean” and should not be eaten, such as vultures (v. 13), ravens (v. 15), water-based animals lacking fins and scales (v. 12), camels (v. 4), rabbits (v. 6), and pigs (v. 7).

Modern science has demonstrated the advantage of both avoiding unclean meat and eating a wholly vegetarian diet. Some of the benefits of vegetarianism include:

Because our minds and bodies are connected, and we communicate with God with our minds, there is a strong correlation between our health and our spirituality. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2). A balanced, plant-based diet can make a great difference in your health.