Orthodox Health Fasting & Feasting: Orthodox Christian Nutrition Principles
Struggling to know what & how to eat?
In this episode of Orthodox Health, Dr. Michael Christian & John dive deep into the ancient wisdom of fasting & feasting through the lens of Orthodox Christian tradition—& how it aligns with real nutrition & metabolic health today. For centuries, Orthodox Christians have practiced structured fasting cycles, alternating with nutrient-dense feasting. But in today’s world, these traditions have been distorted—replaced with ultra-processed fasting substitutes, industrial seed oils, & lab-engineered foods. Meanwhile, mainstream nutrition continues to push ideas that contradict both ancestral wisdom & true metabolic health.
What We Cover in This Episode:
✅ The Biblical & early Christian approach to food
✅ How modern nutrition science contradicts ancient dietary wisdom
✅ Why whole, unprocessed foods are key to both fasting and feasting
✅ Avoiding common metabolic pitfalls in Orthodox fasting
✅ How to break a fast properly for optimal energy & resilience
✅ The role of feasting in restoring health & metabolic function
Fasting & feasting are meant to work together—not as extremes, but as a natural, God-ordained rhythm of nourishment & renewal. Tune in to learn how you can apply these principles to your own health while staying faithful to Orthodox tradition.
Takeaways:
Fasting & feasting are designed to work together in cycles.
Whole foods, not processed substitutes.
Breaking the fast properly matters.
Feasting is for restoration, not overindulgence.
Ancient Christian wisdom aligns with metabolic health.
Fasting supports detoxification & resilience.
Mineral balance is key during fasting.
Simplicity is the foundation of true nutrition.
Chapters
00:00 Opener
01:30 The Body as a Temple: An Introduction
04:11 Nutrition Through the Lens of Faith
05:16 Co-working with God
07:05 Fasting and Feasting: A Balanced Approach
10:10 Ancient Wisdom vs. Modern Nutrition
12:16 Moses, the Microbiologist?
13:09 Wisdom of Christ & the Church Fathers on Food
16:11 Metabolic Health and Orthodox Practices
18:18 Frankenfoods: Techne of the Demons Vs. God-Given Food
21:55 The Cycle of Fasting and Feasting
24:44 Spiritual and Physical Balance
25:51 Watchful Fasting: Practical Tips for Health
27:50 Breaking the Fast: Practical Tips
28:39 Feasting as a Celebration & Metabolic Health
29:21 Poor Stewardship & the Modern Food Supply
30:37 Listening to the Body Vs. the Passions
32:11 The Symbolism of the Body for Health
35:45 Conclusion & Look Ahead to Episode 5: Sleep
38:14 Outro
Work with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.com
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Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:
https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser