When you hear the word “nutrition,” you probably think only about food. But if you want to be completely healthy, biblically healthy, you must broaden this definition; as nutrition is the sum total of everything that contributes to the growth and repair of your body, the elimination of toxins, and your mental, emotional and spiritual vitality. It is all the factors that contribute to your life when your health is running the way God designed it to. With this definition of nutrition in mind, here are 25 nutritional tips for attaining and maintaining true health.

You must breathe
This may seem obvious, but we must not take for granted that fresh air is the foremost requirement for life. Without it, you would be dead in minutes. Deep breathing that is stimulated by vigorous exercise is cleansing and rejuvenating.

Get adequate sleep
Without sleep you would die in less than two weeks. Insufficient sleep severely compromises both the immune and nervous systems. If you need an alarm to wake up, you are sleep deprived. Somewhere cool, fresh, dark, quiet and comfortable is the best environment to sleep in. If you have difficulty falling asleep, do not participate in stimulating activities or entertainment before bedtime, and do not consume foods or beverages that stimulate you.

Drink clean water
Drink water that is free from municipal toxins like fluoride. A simple fix for city water is a reverse osmosis system. But even a basic filtration system that removes impurities is better than drinking from the tap. Aim to drink water equivalent to half your body weight in ounces per day. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces daily.

Eat whole foods
Your best foundation for getting the nutrients you need is from foods that are free from manmade chemicals and eaten as close as possible to their natural unprocessed state. The food in the Garden of Eden (fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds) was the best then and is the best now.

When eating foods not found in the Garden
Choose items that need the least processing and preparation, such as beans, whole grains and legumes.

Supplement your diet
Use “super foods,” which are whole food supplements that are concentrated by drying. An abundance of the original vitamins and minerals are available in each small serving. Add Vitamin D3 and essential fatty acids as insurance.

Acceptable animal foods
Animal foods that were not given as food to man in the Garden but added after the flood (like beef, poultry, fish, eggs and cheese) need to be consumed. Eat food that are raised naturally and organically.

Unacceptable animal foods
Steer clear of unclean animal foods as defined by scripture (Leviticus 11). If God said not to eat it, should we not heed his words? Pig products and shellfish are never called “food” in the bible.

Adequate exercise
The key is an exercise program that you will do consistently. Sessions should be short and intense (relative to your conditioning). Unless you are a seasoned athlete, three 20-30 minute sessions per week are sufficient. Remember that resting until you are recovered from one session before you do another is as important as the exercise itself.

Rest from mental and physical exertion
In addition to sleep, you need to take it easy at times or you will burn out. There is a reason why God created the Sabbath for man (Mark 2:27). If he had not, man would strive all the days of his life. Rest on the Sabbath and take time off each day to rejuvenate. The stress of a non-stop life is very dangerous.

Enjoy play and recreation time
Take time to smell the roses, play with your children, have a vacation, go on a date with your spouse, and enjoy your favorite hobby.

Sunshine
Get outside and soak up some rays. The sun is vital to your well-being. Vitamin D, the most important vitamin for your immune system, is created when you expose you skin to sunshine. Healthy sun exposure does not cause disease as some would have you believe.

Keep your body clean
It is not only vital to stay clean on the inside; personal hygiene is also important. Healthy skin and teeth have a direct impact on your wellness. The skin is the largest detox organ in your body and poor dental hygiene can lead to all sorts of illness. Use only natural skin and dental products.

Pleasant environments
Humans are nourished by beautiful natural environments. We also thrive in well-ventilated and spacious interior settings. Clutter and cramped spaces cause stress.

Communicate
Good communication is essential for healthy feelings and emotions. Learn emotional poise and how to express yourself with love and compassion and you will not become plagued with bottled-up emotions, but instead will have peace of mind. The Bible says to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). Learn to listen; it is a gift you give to others.

Be quick to forgive
A state of unforgiveness is a prison. It will consume your mental, emotional and physical health until it kills you. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to seek forgiveness as we forgive others (Luke 11:4). Scripture warns that the measure you use will be used against you (Matthew 7:2). So be the first to say “I’m sorry”, and embrace the freedom it brings.

Belong to a group
Humans are gregarious creatures; you cannot isolate yourself and have good health. “Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25).

Follow your calling
Whatever it is, do what you are called by God to do. Feeling useful is valuable in your quest for well-being. Committing to a purpose bigger than yourself is why God created you. When we lose sight of our purpose, we lose motivation and inspiration.

Self-mastery
The Bible instructs that we should not be mastered by anything except God (1 Corinthians 6:12). Nothing in life should captivate us to the point that we lose control over it. We are called to be well-disciplined. If you find yourself being ruled by something or someone, seek the Lord for strength and deliverance.

Get married & stay married
God did say that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Unless you are specifically called by God to remain unmarried, marriage is the most anointed relationship in which humans engage. Married people live longer, and being married is the best motivation to grow in the Lord!

Have children
God said to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). Raising godly children is a call that most people share and can play a huge part in living a fulfilled life.

Find your identity in Christ
Do not derive your self-worth from anything you accomplish, nor from anything you possess. All of your value comes from what God sees in you. And what he sees in those he redeems is beautiful and perfect! You can do nothing to earn any better than that.

Faith and prayer
The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the LORD!” (Jeremiah 17:7). God’s blessings are crucial for a healthy lifestyle, so spend time seeking him every day.

Accept God’s sovereignty
There is an old prayer that goes, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Having no anxiety, accepting that God is always in control, and thanking him for everything will produce peace and calm that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-8).

Love
God is love (1 John 4:8)! When we love others we are sharing God! Embrace all that 1 Corinthians 13 teaches. Make it your life’s mission to express true love and you will transform the world. Start at home with your spouse and children; share it at work, in the classroom and at church. Spread God’s love with everyone you encounter and your life will be filled to overflowing.

Living by these 25 healthy principles can help you attain and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Jeff Hazim is a Chiropractor and nutritional counselor practicing in Pompano Beach (TheBrowardCenter.com), and Executive Director of “Biblical Health Television”, the only TV network devoted to Biblical Health (BiblicalHealth.tv).  Weekly Radio Broadcasts: BlogTalkRadio.com/BiblicalHealth.