As I embarked on this journey of eating healthy for weight loss I began to research many theories that would lead to a healthy lifestyle. Recently my father and a good friend both died from cancer. I believe they were both avoidable, preventable and curable. There are also many members of my church battling one form of cancer or another (which is not unusual for a church as large as mine). I recently turned 50 and my outlook on mortality has changed since I was as a young man. I said all of this to let you know a few of the circumstances that motivate me to eat healthy according to God's Word.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6kjv)

This scripture is one that comes to mind as I research the way we eat and live our physical lives. It is scary that the government knows the truth about many of the food additives we consume yet the FDA and US government does little or nothing about it. Unhealthy food is not just an American phenomena. Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes are world wide epidemics. I believe they are caused by the greed of the pharmaceutical and food processing companies, overlooked by governments, because of the billions of dollars made in these industries.

Did you know that prior to the 20th century Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes where virtually unheard of. Today they are the number one, two and three diseases by affliction and cause of death. In 1890 the average American consumed 5 pounds of refined sugar a year. Today the average American consumes more than 135 pounds of refined sugar annually. This is no coincidence. Obesity, Heart Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes all have dramatically increased and we know why.

For years there has been a push to replace refined table sugar with artificial sweeteners. Therefore, we have Saccharin, Aspartame and Sucralose. All produced by major pharmaceutical companies. All have potential or possible health risks and should avoided. Saccharin (Sweet and Low) is a known to cause cancer and other diseases. Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal) is thought to cause cancer and other diseases by some experts and said to be safe by others. Sucralose (Splenda and SucraPlus) proves to be a cancer risk at high levels of usage. No with the FDA showing these all as safe as a sugar substitute and food additive, where does the average person turn and who do they believe?

I believe God and His Holy Word. First, if there is a chance that what I eat causes cancer I immediately cease, desist, stop eating it. Maybe. Did you know that refined sugar and the synthetic sweeteners are all addictive? They are just as addictive as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Hmmm. Have you tried to give up sweets or some of your other favorite foods? Easier said than done. Again, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge".

To deal with this truth we must understand that when God speaks to us through His Word its truth is either physical, spiritual or both. Lack of Knowledge leads to physical and spiritual destruction. As we look at this lack of knowledge, physically, if we continue to eat an unhealthy diet we destroy our bodies.

So How do we Eat Healthy and Avoid Cancer According to God's Word?

"Then God said, 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." (Genesis 1:29 niv)

Simply put:

1. Eat Fresh Fruit, Raw Vegetables, Grains, Nuts, Beans and Seeds. If at all possible choose organic.

2. Drink Plenty of Water. One half your weight in ounces up to 100 ounces.

3. Exercise.

4. Sleep seven or more hours each night.

5. Get as much Fresh Air as possible.

6. Get Fresh Sunshine

7. Avoid Stress.

These seven tips are important. The most important aspect of living healthy and avoiding cancer and other major diseases is what we eat and drink. Let us avoid putting garbage into our bodies and eat what God gave us.

I am not a vegetarian. Maybe, I should be.

1. I make sure 60 to 70% of what I eat is Fresh Fruit, Raw Vegetables, Grains, Nuts, Beans and Seeds.

2. I also drink 8 - 10 glasses of water each day.

3. I exercise 3 days a week for one hour. I can do better.

4. I sleep about 6 hours a night. Not enough.

5. I can get more fresh air and sunshine by walking outside which I do daily except in the winter.

6. I need to do better avoiding stress but I do not let a lot of things bother me. This is a matter of faith and relationships. As I improve my relationship with God my Faith increases and I have less stress.

Finally, we all need to do the best we can.

We need to Seek God.

Ask God for knowledge and wisdom.

Be aware of the effects of what we eat and drink.

These tips will help us to "Prevent Cancer and Other Diseases According to God's Word.