Healthier Food in our Churches
By Rev. Natalie Mitchem, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Matthew 4:23 says, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Recently, it was announced that African Americans are dying and suffering at a greater rate from COVID-19 than other ethnic groups. COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that has brought to the forefront the reality of healthcare disparities, inequity, and injustice for people of color. Millions of people live without access to health insurance and quality health care. Also, many cannot afford their medication. COVID-19 now presents an invisible virus that is threatening people of all economic levels and demographics. The fight to overcome health injustice and inequity continues; however, there is good news!
The good news is that God has created the human body with an immune system designed to fight disease. The good news is that there is something we can do to fight COVID-19 and other preventable diseases. Evidenced-based research indicates some health conditions like Diabetes Type 2, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity make African Americans more susceptible to COVID-19 and are preventable. God created nutrients found in plant-based foods designed to prevent, fight, and stop preventable diseases.
In the Garden of the Eden (Gen. 2:8-9), there is a “pharmacy” of wellness, a “prescription” for wellness, and a “culinary RX” to help you fight preventable disease and promote a healthy immune system to fight and prevent COVID-19. Whole plant-based foods are foods that grow from the ground which contain phyto (plant) nutrients. Evidenced-based research overwhelmingly demonstrates that increasing the consumption of whole plant-based foods is transformational and lifesaving.
Many health experts and health organizations, e.g., American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Plantrician Project, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and Alzheimer’s Association, agree that meals with limited or reduced red meat and dairy, the avoidance of cold cuts, bacon, processed meat, sweet drinks, junk food, and limited refined processed foods help promote good health for the mind, body, and spirit.
In the face of COVID-19 and the ongoing battle to overcome preventable diseases, churches must provide and serve healthier meals. It is time to affirmatively answer the question found in John 5:6. We want to be healthy and whole without excuses.
The health and life of our church leaders and membership require a transformation in the types of foods served at church and church-related events. It is also time for us to overcome our food addictions that are harmful to our health. Any time we cannot or will not give up a substance—including food—that is harmful to our health and well-being, it is an addiction. Jesus taught us how to practice self-discipline, stewardship of the body, and avoid gluttony. In our congregations, we have members suffering from preventable diseases. The good news is that healthy food choice and increasing the consumption of plant-based foods help save lives and improve health.
Let’s work together as members of the Kingdom of God in transforming traditional meals, soul food, and comfort foods into healthier meals with less fat, salt, and sugar. Give the church membership a choice and opportunity to make healthy food choices at all church events. We can do this by avoiding only offering solely fried foods, red meat, sweet desserts, dairy-based foods, sweet beverages, and vegetables cooked in animal fat for food events. Invite the culinary staff and cooks at your church to learn a healthier way to cook to fight preventable diseases and lower the statistics for African Americans living with preventable diseases.
Knowledge is powerful and transformational. Learn the benefits of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), the Mediterranean Diet, American Heart Association Healthy for Life, and Whole Plant-Based Meals. Each evidenced-based way of eating emphasizes colorful meals containing mostly plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, seeds, beans, soy, and tofu and less meat or no meat.
The International Health Commission of the AME Church, in partnership with Rouxbe, offers an interactive online faith-based Culinary RX program that teaches food as medicine to help fight, prevent, stop, and reverse preventable diseases. Enroll in AME Culinary RX today at www.AMEChealth.org for lifetime access for only $49.99. This one-time fee supports the ongoing International Health Commission outreach and ministry.
