One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. – Romans 14:2-4 ESV

I post this now in the middle of a huge political divide that many see as wrecking our country. I see the carnage on more of a local level, too. I have many liberal friends. I have many conservative friends. And there is one lesson that is repeated in my life every time I open my mouth about such things.

When it comes to politics, I need to keep my mouth shut.

Unfortunately, politics can creep into dieting. For some reason, people associate vegan with liberal and low-carb with conservative. This is total bunk. But it presents an obstacle for me when addressing this issue.

So, for the purpose of this post, please keep your politics out of my diet discussion. No politics intended here.

But dieting has become political, polarized, quick to judgement and deaf to reason. So, I’ll give it my best shot and try to avoid the minefields.

First, the Bible, when read as a whole, does not support one diet over another.

Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. – 1 Corinthians 8:8 ESV

Second, I have many friends who reached their goal weight, some through a vegan diet, some through a Keto diet and some dieting through a more moderate approach like I do. Some call my approach extreme because I restrict calories. By moderate I mean I eat meat and carbs without concern for macronutrient levels or restricting food types.

Third, successful dieters learn how to forgive themselves when they have a setback so they can get right back on track toward their goals. If successful dieters must forgive themselves, it stands to reason they should also have grace toward others who differ in their diet opinions.

Therefore, I believe it is paramount to be less religious or political about our diet choices, and more encouraging toward anyone who is ready to begin this journey, no matter which diet path they choose.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. – Proverbs 15:17 ESV