The “Apostle’s Diet”? Let’s Talk Discipleship, Not Fads

“I wanted to get back in shape, so I started eating like the apostles. In three months, I

went from 180 to 142 pounds.”

That’s a clever testimony—and probably a sincere one. But do we know what the

apostles ate?

We have some good guesses. Their diet likely consisted of fish, whole-grain bread,

olives, figs, dates, lentils, goat cheese, vegetables, and water or diluted wine. They

didn’t have access to processed foods, artificial sweeteners, refined sugar, or drive-thru

meals. Eating was simple, seasonal, and usually communal.

They also likely ate modest portions. Gluttony wasn’t a joke in the ancient world—it was

a serious spiritual failure. The early Christians, shaped by Jewish teaching and Jesus’

example, knew that food was a gift received with gratitude, not consumed without

restraint.

And then there’s fasting. Jesus didn’t say if you fast—He said, “When you fast”

(Matthew 6:16). That wasn’t just for show. The apostles fasted regularly, following both

Jesus’ teaching and His practice (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:2–3). Fasting helped them draw

near to God, discern His will, and live in self-control. Their rhythm of eating included

regular rhythms of not eating.

And let’s not forget movement. The apostles walked—a lot. The now-popular (yet

scientifically arbitrary) 10,000 steps a day was probably the minimum for them. Walking

from town to town, rowing boats, carrying supplies, and preaching in outdoor spaces—

they moved because the mission required it.

So yes, their lifestyle was healthy. But let’s be clear: the apostles weren’t trying to slim

down. They weren’t doing “Apostle Fit” or seeking six-pack abs. They were offering their

whole selves—body, mind, and spirit—to the mission of Jesus Christ. That’s why turning this into a spiritualized diet plan misses the point. The danger of “Christianized” fads is that they often reduce discipleship to self-improvement. But discipleship isn’t about image—it’s about transformation. It’s not about looking like you follow Jesus. It’s about actually doing it.

So instead of asking, “What did the apostles eat?” maybe we should ask: “What does it mean to steward my body as a follower of Jesus today?” That’s a much better question. And it leads us here:

• Eat with gratitude, not guilt.

• Eat to fuel service, not soothe stress.

• Embrace moderation, not excess.

• Fast as Jesus taught—quietly, prayerfully, for God’s glory. The Early Church fasted on Wednesday and Friday until 3:00 PM each week (See The Didache)

• Move your body regularly—walk, stretch, work, and play.

• Rest is a spiritual act, not a luxury.

• Reject the idol of image and embrace the humility of stewardship.

Our body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), not a billboard. And our calling is not to fit

into a trend but to walk in the way of Jesus—steadily, sacrificially, joyfully.

So yes, skip the processed foods. Skip the gluttony. Skip the hype.

But more importantly, skip the fads. Be a disciple—not a diet evangelist.

And if you eat like an apostle from time to time, great. Just don’t forget to live like one,

too.