Noah's Diet: Antediluvian Nutrition and Original Plant-Based Living

Before the flood, Noah and the antediluvian world were originally appointed a plant-based diet consisting of fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetablesTSDF 125.7+1. While God provided these bounties in great abundance, the people of that time eventually fell into sinful indulgence by consuming animal flesh without divine permissionCTBH 43.1+1.

God's Original Appointed Diet

• The Edenic Menu: In the beginning, the Creator appointed a diet for humanity that consisted of every herb yielding seed and every tree containing fruit with seed Genesis 1:29TSDF 125.2+1.

• Post-Fall Addition: After the fall of Adam and Eve, while they were still in the antediluvian period, man received permission to also eat the "herb of the field" or various roots and vegetables Genesis 3:18TSDF 125.2+1.

• A Simple and Pure Plan: This original plan was designed to be clean and healthful, consisting primarily of fruits, grains, and nutsTSDF 125.7+1.

The Departure into Flesh-Eating

• No Original Permission: Throughout the long history of the antediluvian world, God had given man no permission to eat animal foodCTBH 43.1+1.

• Lust for Flesh-Meats: Despite the abundance of the fruits of the earth, the inhabitants of Noah's day demanded flesh-meats to satisfy their depraved appetitesCTBH 43.1+2.

• Resulting Corruption: This indulgence of perverted appetite and intemperance in eating and drinking led to a strengthening of lower passions and a total loss of spirituality1BC 1090.3+2.

• Impact on Physical Longevity: The antediluvians possessed great physical strength and lived for centuries because the life-giving power of the tree of life was still being transmitted through their lineageHL 45.4+1. However, their self-indulgence eventually sacrificed their health on the altar of appetiteCTBH 43.1+1.

The Post-Flood Change

• Permission Granted: It was only after the flood waters had destroyed every green thing on the earth that man received explicit permission to eat flesh foodTSDF 125.4.

• Noah’s Obedience: In contrast to the world around him, Noah followed the will of God and found grace because of his genuine faith and obedience to divine instructions Genesis 6:84LtMs, Ms 86, 1886, par. 8.

• A Call to Reform: Today, we are encouraged to return to the simple fruits, vegetables, and grains that God originally provided for our first parents1MR 280.1+1.