Where did the Lord place man in the beginning? Was it man who expressed his preferences according to his own tastes, or was it the Lord who assigned him the proper diet? What was man’s original diet? What did he eat when he had just come into existence? How long was that dietary system in effect? Is there any indication that the antediluvian patriarchs suffered from weaknesses or nutritional deficiencies? How can we explain their diet and their longevity? After millennia, does that experience have anything to teach us who live in the time of the end?

The Diet of Eden

In the beginning, the Lord conceived the plan to create man—a being who, in His design, was to have such noble dignity as to be made in His very image and likeness. Unlike other forms of life created in the preceding days, He determined that man was to reign and govern over the earth and over the animals. He was to reproduce, grow, and multiply until the earth was populated. And so it was. He created them male and female with such faculties, and immediately blessed them and gave them the prerogatives of multiplying, exploring the earth, understanding its productivity, and using it for their benefit. Nature was friendly to him, and even the animals were to cooperate and remain subject to him.

The Creation of Plants

What about the plant world? It was the result of a precise divine plan that came to fruition on the third day of creation. Then God said:

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11–12

Today, plants are not very appreciated or widely used by humans, but God’s evaluation was positive. Right after creating them, we read that everything “was good” (Genesis 1:12). Are we convinced of this? When we choose food each day, do we keep this divine evaluation in mind? Do we frequently use fruits, grains, legumes, and vegetables? Let us not forget that Scripture views these foods positively.

Furthermore, in Eden it was not just a matter of a few trees or some seeds. Man had access to “every tree that is pleasant to the sight,” and not only were they beautiful, “pleasant to the sight,” but also trees “good for food,” meaning nourishing and healthful:

“And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden…” Genesis 2:9


Man Placed in the Garden

After making this beautiful garden with fine plants and delicious fruits grow from the soil, as if that were not enough, God placed man there:

“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.” Genesis 2:8


Abundant Choice

The environment into which man was placed was green and thriving, full of beautiful colors and fragrances, dotted with trees laden with fruit. Could one desire more? In the midst of such abundance, the Lord said to man:

“Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.” Genesis 2:16

So, man was not limited in his choices. He was not forced to always eat the same kind of fruit; the variety and quantity were so abundant that it was difficult to choose. Everything good that God could offer was there, and he lacked nothing. He truly had everything he needed both in quantity and variety to meet his daily nutritional needs.

Instructions Regarding Human Food

Not only was man placed in a vast orchard where he could choose freely, but the Lord also specified that his nourishment was to come from “seeds” and “fruit”:

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1:29

From the beginning, then, the diet was not man’s choice—so, one cannot claim he chose poorly. It was not man who chose, but God. God created the plants and prescribed what man’s food should be. And if, as in all other things, it was He who created, chose, and prescribed, then there could be no doubt about the goodness of such nourishment. Can anyone reasonably doubt this? Hardly—because everything the Lord assigned to man and woman was a product of His creation: trees, plants, sprouts, herbs—everything was His work.

“In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. ‘Behold,’ He said, ‘I have given you every herb yielding seed, … and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.’ Genesis 1:29, A.R.V. Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also ‘the herb of the field.’ Genesis 3:18.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 295


The Food of Animals

The Lord created life and created man to live; everything He gave him and surrounded him with served this purpose. In Eden, death was not foreseen—not even for animals. Thus, in paradise there were no animals tearing apart other living beings for food. Even for them, the designated food was the herbs He had created:

“And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” Genesis 1:30

Everything Was Very Good

What can be said about such a plan? About the realization of a project in which everything is in perfect harmony and directed toward life—
among humans and animals alike? There could be nothing better or more beautiful! That is why at the end of the creation account it is written:

“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Who doesn’t feel joy upon reading that when God created the world, mankind, nature, animals—everything—that it was in perfect harmony with each other and with Him? Who doesn’t feel a sense of joy and hope knowing that man was originally “very good,” that the environment was “very good,” healthful and free from pollution, and that his food was nourishing and wholesome—“very good” and suitable for both physical and spiritual needs?

There is an urgent need to better understand and embrace this message. The Lord created so many wonders, each one better than the next—for our good! Are we wise to reject or minimize that which was and is “good” for our health? Are we right to prioritize our tastes over divine instructions? Are we sure our personal habits are best?

“Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 296

In Eden, there was no death—neither for man nor for animals. By assigning plant-based foods to man and animals, no creature needed to devour another. And as long as man remained faithful, this was how it was on earth. So, when everything was pure and good, the Lord did not consider it appropriate to assign meat as food to man. At that time, animals were neither sick, nor unclean, nor contaminated—yet God’s choice was fruits, legumes, and grains. If back then, when everything was pure and healthful, God did not assign meat to man, is it fitting to use it now, when meat is not as healthy as it once was?

Amen.

By Antonino Di Franca, Adapted from “L’osservatore del sabato, Vol. 41, No. 3”