Have you ever heard the saying "you are what you eat?" Most of us have at some time or other tried some kind of diet during our lifetime. Then there are those who aren’t bothered and eat what they want when they want. This month we are going to look at the type of food we need to eat in order to achieve a healthier you.

Let us first of all look at what the Bible has to say about food and what we put into our bodies. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says; Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. The emphasis is not so that we put all our focus on food or what we eat but to discipline ourselves to eat what is good, right and healthy for our bodies because after all our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

As a wife and mother I feel it’s my duty not to just watch what I eat but to ensure that my family eat healthy too. Most of the time I am the one that will do the food shopping so I stay away from the additive-filled junk foods which have a negative effect on energy levels. Junk foods have side effects that can leave our bodies feeling sluggish, lethargic and low in energy because they contain little or no nutrients, it may taste good but it doesn’t do our bodies any good.

We can make a choice to eat healthy nutritious meals that nourish us physically and benefit our general health and wellbeing. I remember my family protesting about having to eat their vegetables or salad but over time they have come to appreciate having healthy and balanced meals.

• A healthier you requires you eating your 5 a day of fruit and vegetables – make sure you include something green on your plate at meal times. Your plate shouldn’t be full of carbohydrate-heavy foods so try and keep the carbs to just one portion on your plate in this way you are keeping your meals healthier and more nutritious.
• Don’t go food shopping when you are hungry as you are more likely to pick up junk foods. If it’s not in the house then you can’t be tempted to eat it. Drink plenty of water – most people say they don’t like the taste of water but drinking water is good and necessary for your body. Cut out fizzy drinks and drinks that are full of flavouring and colouring and go for the pure stuff.
• Show your physical body some respect by taking better care of it not only by eating right, drinking plenty of water but including some form of physical exercise. 1 Corinthians 9:27 says; But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection...
• Include fasting in your lifestyle – fasting helps to sharpen our spiritual awareness whilst benefiting our physical bodies. Isaiah 58.8 says ‘Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily....’

Romans 14: 17 says ‘for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ Make that decision to honour your physical body that God has given you by not being enslaved to unhealthy food cravings and include fasting in your lifestyle to keep your flesh under control.

As you work towards a healthier and stronger you remember what Proverbs 4:20-22 says ‘My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.’ Let your focus be on the Lord and be continually satisfied with Him and with His Word as you live a healthy and balanced Christian lifestyle.