The Post-ForksOverKnives "Glow"

Seventh-day Adventists have a "Health Message" and we take it seriously.   At the time of this article (2012), Adventist Christians were pretty widely "known" for their Vegetarian Cooking Schools, the Coronary Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), the 5-Day Stop Smoking Plan, and the Depression Recovery Program.  Traditionally we suick to these Adventist resources, but a surge of interest in the benefits of plant-based lifestyle  provided a wider base of like-minded materials to draw from for our educational outreaches. (This article has been updated on August 10, 2026 with Gemini a.i. input.)

The Adventist "Health Message" ks a holistic lifestyle emphasizing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is anchored in the belief that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It centers around eight natural remedies often remembered by the acronym NEWSTART: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust in God. [1, 2, 3]

Core Principles

Nutrition: Encourages a whole-food, plant-based diet rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while abstaining from unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco, and harmful drugs.
Exercise: Promotes regular physical activity to strengthen the heart, bones, and overall vitality.
Water & Air: Stresses pure water for internal and external health, and fresh air for proper respiration and circulation.
Sunlight: Values natural sunlight for vitamin D and regulation of the biological clock.
Temperance: Practices self-control and moderation in all good things while avoiding harmful substances.
Rest: Highlights adequate sleep and the weekly Sabbath rest for physical and spiritual renewal.
Trust in God: Centers mental peace and healing on faith in the Creator. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Impact and Outreach

Longevity: Studies, such as the Adventist Health Study, show members often live significantly longer, healthier lives.
Global Network: Inspired the creation of worldwide hospitals, clinics, and health-education programs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

In our particular church community there was a small handful of people who were "raised" in the Adventist church... the rest of us joined, mostly as adults, and quite a few of us were  impressed to become part of this worldwide movement because of the holistic understanding of the Good News-- that is, that our spiritual and mental health do not function independently from our physical health.  We are created as "whole" beings in the likeness of our Creator. (Genesis 1:27)  While not every physically healthy person is necessarily tuned in spiritually, I think it is safe to state that those of us who have regained physical health and hope through  our understanding of the kind of balance and integration in lifestyle that God wants for us, well, we are more apt to be thankful to God for these gifts, and to grow (or re-gain) a stronger spiritual connection as a result of improved physical health.  (*I am not a theologian so please excuse generalizations and other statements that appear simplistic or unnecessarily wordy.)

When something God-ordained works well, as a plant-based diet is shown to do, it impinges upon believers to share this knowledge.   A movie like "Forks Over Knives" had a huge popular appeal and doesn't conflict with any of our Christian beliefs. Who are we to turn down the opportunity that such great "popular" resources afford to spread what we see as a God-given "Health Message"?

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