The Torah’s Perspective on Nutrition, Dieting, and Healthy Living

I’m interested in understanding the Torah’s perspective on nutrition, dieting, physical exercise, and so on. What causes our cravings for food, and why do we sometimes eat not only out of genuine hunger? Perhaps deeper knowledge can help us maintain healthier and more balanced habits.

The Rambam — Hilchot De’ot, Chapter 3, Halacha 2 explains: A person must direct his heart and all his actions toward knowing the Blessed God alone. His sitting, standing, speaking — everything — should be for this purpose.

When a person works or conducts business, his intention should not be merely to accumulate money, but to acquire what his body needs — food, drink, housing, marriage, and so on.

Likewise, when he eats, drinks, or engages in marital relations, he should not do so only for pleasure, so that his eating is only what is sweet to the palate. Rather, he should focus on maintaining his body and limbs in good health.

Therefore, one should not eat whatever the mouth desires like a dog or a donkey, but should eat foods that are beneficial to the body — whether bitter or sweet, and avoid foods that are harmful, even if they taste pleasant.

The Rambam gives examples of eating in accordance with health needs — even when the food is less enjoyable — because a person cannot understand wisdom or know God when he is hungry, ill, or in pain. The goal is that the body be whole and strong, so that the soul may be upright and able to know God.

Thus, one who lives this way: “serves God at all times — even when working or engaging in daily activities — because his intention in everything is to enable himself to fulfill his divine purpose.”

Maintaining Health Is a Religious Value

Rambam — Hilchot De’ot, Chapter 4, Halacha 1: Since having a healthy and wholesome body is part of the ways of God — for one cannot understand or know anything of divine wisdom when he is ill — a person must distance himself from anything that harms the body and conduct himself in ways that strengthen and heal it.

The Rambam advises:

• Eat only when hungry

• Drink only when thirsty

• Do not delay relieving bodily needs

Neglecting basic bodily care can lead to illness.

Is it permissible to go on a diet?

Yes — as long as the diet does not cause weakness or illness.

Should one maintain a diet on Shabbat, or should Shabbat meals take precedence?

If there is no medical reason for the diet, it is preferable not to maintain restrictive dieting on Shabbat, because of the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbat (delighting in Shabbat).

If God determines the length of a person’s life — why do people who live on strict natural diets seem to live longer?

The rabbis explain: If health were entirely in human control,
why does no one live forever?

There is a fixed span to each person’s life — yet:

• Caring for the body honors the divine gift of life

• It allows a person to fully benefit from the time allotted to him

• Neglecting health expresses disregard for that gift

Illness awakens judgment and scrutiny; a person who cherishes and preserves his health is more fitting to live out the fullness of his destined years.