Take inspiration from the Son of God for a healthier diet.
The topic of food is impossible to escape these days. Whether you’re scrolling through Instagram, checking out recipes on Pinterest, or discovering new ways of eating that challenge your meal planning, food is definitely a big focal point in our lives. When it gets overwhelming or confusing, it’s often best to remind ourselves that a simpler approach to nourishing our bodies can be the best approach — and what better example to follow than Jesus Christ Himself?
While it’s true that there are limited recipes available from 2,000 years ago, the Bible is littered with information about what Jesus ate — and it goes beyond those loaves and fishes! If you click on the slideshow below, you’ll discover some of the foods that Jesus and his Apostles would have eaten that may be helpful when you’re thinking about your next healthy meal.
Figs While Jesus would have eaten various fruits and vegetables, he may have had a penchant for a juicy fig, as He notably got a little annoyed in Mark 11:12-14 when He went to pick a fig off a tree only to discover there were none! As a great source of calcium and potassium figs are good for blood pressure and strong bones. 
Sardines Fishing is a recurrent theme throughout the Bible, with fish being a main source of protein for Jesus and His followers. Sardines in particular are popular in Middle East cuisine, and their health benefits are numerous: from being packed with Omega-3 that helps boot moods to providing essential vitamins and protein. 
Honey Honey was key ingredient in John the Baptist’s diet according to the Gospel, so it is likely that Jesus would have eaten it, too as it was the main way to sweeten foods. Full of antioxidants that can help reduce heart disease and guard against cancer, the sweet nectar in its raw state is believe to also help reduce blood pressures and possibly even ward off allergies. 
Lamb Described as the Lamb of God Himself, Jesus would have eaten lamb as it was a popular meat choice in His time. Sometimes served up in a stew with other vegetables, lamb is a healthier red meat with an impressive serving of vitamins and minerals. 
Olives The Mount of Olives is mentioned throughout the New Testament, and it is where Jesus ascended into heaven. Olives are common to the Mediterranean diet and olive oil is believed to have been central to most meals. With the healthy mono-saturated fats present in the oil, it’s a much healthier option that most types of oils. 
Bread While not great for those following a gluten-free diet, bread was a common food at every table in Jesus’ day. Barley bread was particularly popular and it was passed around during the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:9). Barley bread is also less processed than other bread, with higher levels of vitamins, minerals and fiber. 
Wine We may not think of wine as food, but it might be better if we did! It is certainly a perfect accompaniment to many meals – and after all it becomes the Blood of Christ on the altar at every Mass. Wine is key to many Gospel stories, from the wedding at Cana to the Last Supper. It is full of anti-oxidants that reportedly help prevent cancer, and also has nutrients that benefits the heart.
