Feeding Us to Death: Gluttony, Idolatry, and the Food Deception in America

Food in America isn’t just a health concern—it’s a weapon. While other nations ban or strictly regulate many of the additives, hormones, and chemicals used in our food supply, those same toxins are sold freely across the U.S.—and worse, packaged as normal, harmless, and even “healthy.” Major brands sell a cleaner, safer version of their products overseas, yet here, they market the garbage.

Why? Because our system is not built to protect us—it’s built to profit off us. And the Church, in many cases, has remained silent, failing to recognize that what’s happening on our plates is deeply spiritual. This isn’t just about nutrition. It’s about gluttony—the unchecked consumption of what feeds the flesh and dulls the spirit. It’s about idolatry—when we run to food for comfort, control, or escape rather than to God.

And it’s about deception—because too many are blindly eating what’s killing them, both physically and spiritually. The enemy doesn’t need to tempt us with blatant sin if he can simply sedate us with sugar, addict us to convenience, and slowly poison the temple of the Holy Spirit—our bodies—while we call it liberty.

Gluttony isn’t just the sin of overeating at a buffet. It’s far more dangerous than that—it’s a spiritual disorder where overindulgence feeds the flesh and starves the spirit. Gluttony happens when cravings become commands, and the body, not God, becomes the master. Paul said it plainly in Philippians 3:19,

“Their god is their belly.” 

When your stomach leads and your spirit follows, gluttony and idolatry are both in control—because what you obey becomes what you worship.

The truth is—when anything other than God governs your choices, even food can become a false god.

Gluttony goes beyond food. It disguises itself in excessive entertainment, mindless scrolling, or obsessive dieting. It whispers lies that productivity equals worth, and that perfection equals control. It can even show up in fasting—not as surrender to God, but as a power play to feel holy or in charge, or to simply lose weight.

Even good practices can turn toxic when they're done for self-exaltation instead of surrender. The heart of gluttony is the hunger to feed self, and its twin is idolatry: worshiping anything we turn to for comfort, identity, or control more than we turn to God.

That’s why we must talk about carnivore, keto, alkaline, candida and other fad diets—not to shame, but to warn. These diets often promise transformation but are built on imbalance and extremes. And Scripture warns us about extremes. Proverbs 23:20 says,

“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.” 

That’s the carnivore diet in one line.

The carnivore diet, which excludes all plant-based foods and focuses entirely on animal products, may seem appealing for its simplicity and initial results. However, over time, it can create an imbalance that leads to toxic buildup and uncomfortable side effects.

Without fiber from fruits, vegetables, and grains, the digestive system struggles to move waste properly. This can lead to either diarrhea or constipation, as the body reacts to the lack of natural bulk and hydration support from plant foods. In addition, an excessive intake of protein—especially without sufficient fat or carbohydrate balance—can overwhelm the liver and kidneys. This state, known as “protein poisoning” or “rabbit starvation,” can cause nausea, fatigue, brain fog, and yes, persistent diarrhea.

Over time, an all-meat diet may also contribute to:

• Ammonia buildup from excessive protein breakdown

• Imbalanced gut bacteria, since it starves the microbiome of prebiotics

• Low magnesium and potassium levels, leading to cramping and weakness

• Inflammation in some individuals, especially if the meat is not grass-fed or organic

The body was not designed to live off one food group alone, even if it’s technically “clean.” God's original design was diverse, colorful, and complete—a balance of nutrients from multiple sources, not hyper-restriction.

The keto diet, praised for its weight-loss power, often leans heavily into high fat and zero fruit. The keto diet focuses on drastically reducing carbohydrates and replacing them with high amounts of fat, pushing the body into a state of ketosis—where fat becomes the primary energy source instead of glucose. While some experience short-term weight loss or mental clarity, this extreme shift can create serious long-term imbalances.

If “no fruit” becomes a lifestyle, we need to ask ourselves: who gave us fruit? Genesis 1:29 records God’s own words,

“I have given you every seed-bearing plant and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” 

God gave the fruit. Man banned it. That’s not science—it’s rebellion.

Without enough carbs—especially from fruits, legumes, and whole grains—the body can become depleted of electrolytes, leading to fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog. Constipation or diarrhea is also common, due to the low fiber intake and heavy reliance on animal fats, dairy, and processed “keto-friendly” products.

Over time, keto can also:

• Disrupt hormones, especially in women, due to its impact on thyroid function and cortisol levels

• Increase inflammation if processed meats, dairy, and oils dominate the diet

• Burden the liver and gallbladder, which must work overtime to break down constant fat

• Cause nutrient deficiencies, especially in magnesium, potassium, B-vitamins, and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables

In extreme cases, long-term ketosis can even lead to a condition called “ketoacidosis”—a serious, toxic buildup of ketones in the blood (rare, but dangerous, especially for diabetics).

Keto, like carnivore, is imbalanced by design. It leans so hard into fat and restriction that it violates the natural rhythm God created for our bodies—where fruits, grains, plants, oils, and clean proteins all work together to nourish, not deprive.

The alkaline diet promotes eating mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes to supposedly change the body's pH balance and reduce acidity. While it emphasizes many whole, God-given foods, it often neglects clean proteins and healthy fats, creating an unbalanced, overly restrictive approach that can lead to nutritional gaps. It leans heavily into the idea that acid is the enemy, rather than acknowledging that God created a body that naturally regulates pH when fueled with wisdom.

The candida diet, on the other hand, focuses on eliminating yeast-promoting foods like sugar, gluten, dairy, and fermented items to starve out candida overgrowth. Not a bad idea! While this can be useful for fighting inflammation and gut imbalance, it also leans into fear and heavy restriction. It can become obsessive if left unchecked, and often removes foods that God created for nourishment and healing when used in balance.

The Paleo diet centers around eating like our “prehistoric ancestors”—lean meats, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables—while eliminating grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods. While it’s a significant upgrade from the Standard American Diet, it leans too far away from some of God’s natural provisions, such as whole grains and legumes, which were staples in many biblical cultures. The overemphasis on meat can also mirror a carnivore mindset, opening the door to gluttony, overconsumption, or idolizing “clean eating” as a badge of superiority. Looks amazing, doesnt it? Much closer to balanced.

The Mediterranean diet takes a gentler, more inclusive approach, focusing on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats (especially olive oil), fish, and occasional red wine. It is widely praised for heart health and anti-inflammatory benefits. Though it does echo much of God’s provision, the danger lies in cultural normalization of wine and the idea that it’s inherently healthy. For some, that’s not freedom—it’s a trap. (I'd like that all on my plate right now).

No diet, even one based on biblical regions, should replace discernment, moderation, or obedience to the Spirit’s leading.

And the list goes on. Intermittent fasting. Clean fasting. Carb cycling. These plans often start with good intentions, but for many, they become obsession, law, and false righteousness. If your diet becomes a religion, and your results become your validation, that’s not health—it’s bondage. Paul warned us in 1 Corinthians 6:12,

“All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” 

Even good things become sin when they dethrone God and dominate your life.

Before you go further: Words of Wisdom

There can be seasons where following a diet like Paleo or Mediterranean may serve a legitimate health purpose. Perhaps you’re healing from metabolic dysfunction, heart issues, or systemic inflammation—these approaches can be valuable tools. But they are still just that: tools, not truth.

The danger lies in turning helpful strategies into permanent lifestyles without consulting the Holy Spirit or considering God’s broader design. What starts as a health reset can turn into food-based idolatry, fear, or pride if we aren't vigilant.

God’s design is never extreme. It is balanced, nourishing, and filled with variety. It includes plants, clean meats, grains, oils, herbs, and fruit—each in proportion, and none exalted above the Giver Himself. Whatever we eat, may it be with wisdom, thanksgiving, and a desire to honor the temple He’s entrusted to us.

The real danger begins when food—or the control of it—becomes an idol. When fear of weight gain drives your decisions. ( That was me!) When the lust for control overrides wisdom. When pride in appearance outweighs obedience to God. When rebellion against moderation disguises itself as strength.

That’s when gluttony and

idolatry intertwine.

If your food plan creates anxiety, confusion, or a need to obsess, it’s not from God. If your health declines, hormones crash, and clarity fades, don’t blame the Creator—He gave us what we needed in His original design. Man distorted it.

But there is a cure: return to God’s design. Return to balance. Return to reverence. Whole foods, fruits, vegetables, seeds, roots—these are not just healthy; they’re holy. They're gifts, filled with healing and life.

In Daniel 1, Daniel and his friends refused the king’s indulgent food. They asked for vegetables and water. After just ten days, they looked healthier than everyone else. Why? Because God honored their self-control and their separation. This isn’t about rules. It’s about reverence. A whole-food lifestyle is a form of obedience, stewardship, and worship. It’s not glamorous. It’s not trendy. But it saves lives. It restores clarity. It renews strength.

Reject extremes. Return to balance. Eat with purpose. Fast with humility. Treat your body like the temple it is— holy, anointed, and assigned for kingdom work.

You don’t need a new diet. You need deliverance from food-driven living. You need freedom from the idols on your plate. And the God who breaks every chain is still breaking them today.

There are Scriptures that affirm the idea that all food is clean in the eyes of God, but that truth is often misapplied and misunderstood. In Mark 7:18–19, Jesus said,

“Whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him... Thus He declared all foods clean.” 

Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 4:4–5: “

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the Word of God and prayer.” 

These verses are often used to justify eating anything and everything without discernment. But this was never a license for reckless consumption—it was a warning against legalism. The issue wasn’t about nutritional wisdom; it was about prideful rituals that were void of spiritual understanding.

Even within that freedom, God gives us boundaries. In 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul warns believers not to let their freedom in food cause others to stumble. Romans 14:20–21 says,

“It is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” 

These Scriptures call us to love and responsibility, not indulgence. And while God did declare all foods clean, we must understand that the foods in biblical times were radically different from what we consume today. What was clean then has often been corrupted now.

The fruits and vegetables of the Bible were grown in nutrient-rich soil, free from synthetic pesticides, genetic manipulation, and chemical sprays. The meat was not pumped with hormones, antibiotics, or vaccines. There were no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, dyes, or toxic additives. The wine wasn’t laced with sulfites, and the bread wasn’t bleached and processed beyond recognition.

When God declared food clean, it was in the form He created it—natural, untainted, and life-giving. Today, we have replaced that purity with artificial convenience, and then we wonder why our bodies are breaking down under the weight of disease, inflammation, and imbalance.

To continue eating toxic, processed, or hormonally altered foods under the banner of “freedom in Christ” is not freedom—it’s deception. 

When we knowingly consume things that damage our bodies, knowing they cause parasites, brain fog, gut dysfunction, hormonal issues, and long-term disease, we’re not exercising liberty—we’re practicing neglect. And that neglect, if willful, becomes rebellion.

This is where idolatry enters in. When we cling to food for comfort, control, emotional relief, or identity, we have made it a god. And anything we put in the place of God becomes an idol, whether it’s an addiction to sugar, obsession with body image, or refusal to let go of toxic traditions.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We were bought with a price. We are not our own. That means how we treat our body is not just a health issue—it’s a spiritual responsibility. If your temple is filled with man-made chemicals, fake food, and substances that numb your clarity and deplete your strength, you are hindering your ability to walk fully in your calling.

God cannot get the glory from a body that is constantly sick, inflamed, distracted, or enslaved by appetite.

Yes, food is clean—but not all food is holy. Just because something is edible doesn’t mean it’s God-honoring. And just because it’s labeled “natural” or “safe” by the world doesn’t mean it agrees with heaven. The question we must ask is not, “Can I eat this?” but “Should I?” Does this food glorify God? Does it honor the temple He gave me to steward? Is it drawing me closer to vitality and clarity—or deeper into disease and confusion?

Paul said in Galatians 5:13,

“Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” 

That means we don’t abuse grace just to satisfy cravings or justify poor choices. We walk in wisdom. We protect our temples. We steward our bodies as vessels of God’s Spirit. And if certain foods are causing harm—even if they’re “legal” or labeled “clean”—we lay them down out of love, obedience, and reverence.

The bottom line is this: not all food today is what God originally called good. When man tampers with what God created, the result is not freedom—it’s confusion, sickness, and bondage. If we want to walk in health, healing, and the fullness of God’s plan, we must be willing to return to His design. That means discerning what we eat, not through the lens of culture or cravings, but through the lens of stewardship and holiness. The table must become holy again—not just a place of eating, but a place of intentionality, gratitude, and spiritual alignment.

Opening Eyes & Setting Captives Free

The spiritual cost of diet deception is staggering. We live in a generation that is overfed but undernourished—both physically and spiritually. We’ve abandoned the simplicity of God’s original design in favor of complicated formulas, cultural fads, and man-made methods that promise life but deliver bondage.

Instead of seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we follow influencers. Instead of relying on God’s mercy and provision, we trust macros and meal plans. We chase keto, carnivore, intermittent fasting, and all the latest food ideologies, but we run from conviction, discipline, and the Spirit of Truth.

This question isn’t about calories or carbs—it’s about idolatry. God is calling out to His people, “You are starving your soul while feeding your flesh.” The deception is so deep that we call it self-care, but in reality, we are often bowing at the altar of appetite, control, and appearance. Food has become an idol—a source of comfort, identity, and even salvation for many. And idols always demand sacrifice: your peace, your health, your discernment.

Food, in the hands of the enemy, has become a weapon. It’s used to steal our health, kill our discipline, and destroy our clarity. Jesus said in John 10:10,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

But abundance is not excess—it’s not about piling plates or shedding pounds. Abundance is peace. It’s strength, wholeness, and alignment with heaven. Yet how can we walk in divine abundance when our bodies are in chaos? Gut imbalance, brain fog, autoimmune disorders, hormonal damage, emotional instability, and prayerlessness—these symptoms often point to a deeper war being waged at the dinner table.

What we feed rules us, and too many of us are ruled by what we feed. The idol of appetite is subtle, but it is deadly.

We need to shift from eating like Pharisees—rigid and obsessed with performance—to eating like prophets: in alignment with purpose and heaven’s rhythm. This is not about legalism. This is spiritual warfare. Your body is a battlefield, and your fork is a weapon. Whole, God-grown foods are more than nutrition—they are sacred tools created by the Giver of Life. They honor your design and restore what modern food systems and toxic eating habits have broken.

As 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us,

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 

We glorify God with food not by following fads, but by refusing to be mastered. We eat to nourish, not to numb. We embrace sufficiency, not excess. We walk in balance, not bondage.

If you want to be free, it starts with repentance. Repent of food idolatry—wherever you’ve given food, control, or image the place only God deserves. This isn’t about shame—it’s about surrender. Turn away from the lie that food can fix what only Jesus can heal. Fast with purpose. Even short fasts can break long-standing chains. Fasting silences the flesh and reawakens the spirit.

As Isaiah 58:6 says,

“Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free?” 

Freedom is possible, but it begins with choosing obedience over appetite.

Return to the foods God made. Don’t let marketing confuse you. You don’t need a perfect plan—you need peace. Go back to what’s been provided: fruits, vegetables, seeds, roots, grains, clean proteins, fresh water, oils from the earth. Simplicity. Wholeness. Wisdom. These aren’t just food categories—they are reminders of God’s provision and design. Speak life over your body. Don’t curse what God has created by calling it broken, ugly, or too far gone. Proverbs 18:21 says,

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” 

If you keep speaking death over your body, it will respond accordingly. Start speaking the Word—truth, healing, and identity.

Guard your gates—your eyes and your ears. Every “expert” is not sent by God. Every trending voice is not truth. Jesus said in John 10:27,

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” 

Tune your spirit back to His frequency. Let Him lead your decisions, not fear, pride, or popularity. Let the table become holy again. Let meals become moments of prayer and presence. Let hunger be a reminder—not to indulge, but to invite the Lord in.

Food was never meant to enslave you. Jesus came to set the captives free—including those bound by food, obsessed with dieting, or crushed by self-hatred. Deliverance starts at the table. And it starts today.

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.