The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, the Stone Age diet, or the hunter-gatherer diet, focuses on eating foods that our ancient ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era. This includes meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar and processed oils are excluded from the paleo diet, as these foods only became widely available after the agricultural revolution around 10,000 years ago.
While the paleo diet is promoted as a way of eating that is more natural and healthful for humans, some wonder whether it aligns with biblical principles for diet. What does the Bible have to say about the foods we should and should not eat? Let’s take a look.
Meat, Fish and Eggs
The paleo diet encourages eating grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish and eggs from pasture-raised chickens. Does the Bible support consuming these foods?
In Genesis 1:29, God tells Adam and Eve: “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.” At this point, before sin entered the world, God gave humans a vegetarian diet. It was not until after the Flood in Genesis 9:3 that God permitted the eating of meat: “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
Later in the Bible we see animal meat, fish and eggs regularly consumed. God provided quail for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:13). They also ate ox, sheep, goat and deer meat (Deuteronomy 14:4-5). Fish formed part of the diet of the Israelites (Numbers 11:5) and of Jesus and his disciples (Luke 24:42-43). And Jesus ate cooked fish after his resurrection (Luke 24:42-43).
While vegetarian diets are presented as an ideal in Genesis 1-2 and Isaiah 11:6-9, God clearly permitted and regulated the consumption of meat after the Flood. Most biblical characters regularly ate meat, fish and eggs as part of their daily diet.
Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds
The paleo diet encourages generous amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. The Bible also speaks approvingly of these foods.
Fruits were part of the paradise diet originally given to man in Genesis 1:29. In the Promised Land, the Israelites enjoyed grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates (Deuteronomy 8:8). Biblicallists of provision foods include vegetables like beans, lentils, leeks, onions and garlic (Numbers 11:5). Nuts like pistachios and almonds were eaten (Genesis 43:11).
Grains like wheat and barley were also grown in biblical times, but often roasted or consumed as bread rather than eaten as a principal protein source, as in modern diets. Overall, the Bible depicts fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as wholesome, nutritious foods to be enjoyed in abundance.
Grains and Legumes
The paleo diet avoids all grains – including wheat, rice, oats, corn, rye, barley and others. It also excludes legumes like beans, peas, lentils and peanuts. Do biblical eating patterns line up with this practice?
As mentioned above, ancient Israelites did cultivate and consume grains like wheat and barley. However, some argue that grains and legumes became more prevalent after the biblical era when agricultural practices improved and gluten intolerance rates may have been much lower.
There is no clear biblical command prohibiting the consumption of all grains and legumes. Grains in moderation were a regular part of the biblical diet. That said, modern grains are very different from ancient varieties. Some grains like wheat now contain much higher gluten levels and are highly processed – two factors linked to digestive issues.
Legumes like lentils and beans are portrayed as humble but nutritious foods in the Bible (Genesis 25:34, 2 Samuel 17:28). While the Bible neither prohibits nor promotes legumes, some advocate limiting them based on their phytic acid and lectin content which may impact mineral absorption.
Dairy Products
The paleo diet excludes all dairy products due to the modern prevalence of lactose intolerance and casein sensitivities. Certain biblical eating patterns like the Daniel Fast also prohibit dairy. So what does the Bible say about milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy foods?
Dairy foods were regularly consumed in biblical times, especially products like milk, butter and cheese from sheep and goats rather than cows. Abraham served curds and milk to heavenly visitors (Genesis 18:8). The Promised Land was described as “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 33:3). Yet while permitted, dairy consumption is not commanded in Scripture or singled out as indispensable.
Some Bible scholars argue that modern dairy, especially from grain-fed cows rather than grass-fed, contains hormones and immunoglobulins not intended for human consumption. They suggest it’s more consistent with biblical practices to limit or avoid today’s mass-produced dairy.
Salt, Sugar and Processed Foods
The paleo diet avoids added salt, sugar and highly processed foods which became widely available only after the modern industrial era. Does this align with biblical principles?
Salt is only mentioned a handful of times in the Bible, presented as a seasoning rather than a dietary necessity (Job 6:6). The Bible warns against overindulging in honey, the common sweetener of biblical times (Proverbs 25:16). Sugar as we know it did not exist.
Regarding processed foods, the Bible encourages whole, minimally processed foods -grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, meat and fish rather than modern convenience foods packed with additives.
Biblical eating patterns focus on seasonal, locally grown, ancient heirloom varieties of produce and pasture-raised livestock. In that sense, they share many of the goals of the paleo diet which seeks to avoid modern foods high in salt, sugar and industrial processing.
Key Takeaways on the Paleo Diet and the Bible
While the Bible does not directly promote or prohibit the paleo diet, several high-level observations can be made about paleo eating patterns in light of biblical principles:
- The Bible depicts meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as positive, wholesome foods.
- Grains and legumes are permitted but not commanded as dietary staples in Scripture.
- Dairy products were consumed in biblical times but not presented as dietary requirements.
- The Bible advises moderation regarding salt and natural sweeteners like honey.
- A focus on whole, minimally processed foods aligns with biblical patterns.
- Biblical eating patterns share the paleo diet’s emphasis on ancient, heirloom foods over modern processed items.
In summary, while the paleo diet is never directly addressed, several of its central practices do generally resonate with biblical principles and eating patterns. The Bible paints a picture of wholesome eating focusing on meat, fish, eggs, produce, moderation, and avoidance of overindulgence in rich foods like honey. In this way, the general spirit of the paleo diet can be seen as supportive of biblical values around food and health.
However, it’s important to note that biblical eating was usually more localized, seasonal and flexible than strict paleo guidelines. Biblical figures did consume ancient grains and legumes, along with goat’s and sheep’s dairy products as regular parts of their ancient Mediterranean diets. So there is room for interpretation and wisdom when seeking to apply biblical wisdom to a modern diet like paleo.
Overall, the Bible offers many timeless principles that can help inform wise and moderate food choices that support health. But it does not dictate one perfect diet for all people in all places and times. As we seek God’s wisdom for how to eat in a way that honors Him and His creation, biblical values around wholesome, minimally processed foods in moderation are still very relevant today.