For the longest time, I thought diet was just about losing weight. That’s what we’re taught — cut calories, drop kilos, be skinny, and life will magically improve. But reading Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill opened my eyes to how much deeper the topic of diet goes — it shapes your clarity, energy, spiritual sensitivity, and even your purpose.
In the book, Hill talks about three major areas you need to master to avoid “drifting” through life:
- Food
- Sex
- The urge to share poorly formed opinions
Food really stood out to me because I never realized how much of my mind, emotions, and even spiritual clarity were tied to what I was putting on my plate.
My Wake-Up Call With Food and Mental Fog
I remember battling with constant brain fog. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know what I mean — feeling mentally slow, drained, and unable to focus. Reading or analyzing even simple things felt like an uphill battle.
Then I discovered the keto diet. And for the first time:
- I had steady energy throughout the day
- My mind cleared
- Complex reading and thinking became manageable
- My PMS symptoms disappeared — no cramps, no mood swings
It felt like I had finally cracked the code. I even wrote a book about it, but the truth is, it wasn’t sustainable for me. First, animal protein is expensive where I live. Second, I struggled to enjoy social gatherings, always calculating macros and feeling left out.
So I turned to God in prayer. And I sensed Him reminding me: “This isn’t your forever solution.”
But my mindset had already changed. I couldn’t ignore the truth anymore — food affects your whole life. Your mental clarity, energy, moods, and even your ability to walk in God’s purpose for you.
Diet Culture Doesn’t Solve Everything — Trusting God’s Design
One thing I’ve realized is that diet culture doesn’t set you free — it often puts you in more bondage. My favorite wellness coach, Roseanne Kamau, says it best:
“Diet culture can actually enslave you.”
The moment someone tells you not to eat something, your inner two-year-old throws a tantrum, and suddenly, all you want is cake.
But how do you cultivate healthy eating that honors your body and God — without falling into the extremes of restriction or overindulgence?
God’s Design for Food and Seasons
God gave us taste buds for a reason — food is meant to nourish AND be enjoyed. The Bible reminds us:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
There’s a time to celebrate — birthdays, weddings, holidays — where enjoying food is part of life’s joy. I don’t deny myself cake, but I’ve also learned not to live off cake daily. I’ve learned to trust the wisdom God built into my body.
The Body’s Wisdom — Hunger, Fullness, and Hormones
God designed our bodies with built-in cues that tell us what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. But when we ignore those signals — over time, they fade.
Let me explain the hormones involved:
- Ghrelin — The Hunger Hormone: Ghrelin rises before meals, signaling your brain that your body needs fuel.
- Leptin — The Fullness Hormone: Leptin tells your brain when you’ve had enough, helping regulate your appetite.
But poor diet choices — processed foods, constant overeating, sugar addiction — can cause leptin resistance. When this happens, your body stops “hearing” the fullness signal, and overeating becomes automatic.
The body was created for balance. When we eat intentionally, these God-given systems can recalibrate and heal.
How Does Food Make You Feel?
It’s not just about what you eat — it’s how food affects your energy, mood, and even your spiritual focus.
I know that when I start my day with sugar, I feel drained and sluggish. For some, lemon water brings energy — but for me, it causes heartburn and fatigue.
The reality is, our bodies are unique. Gut issues, hormone imbalances, or poor food choices can disrupt how our bodies function. But with the right foods, restoration is possible.
The Bible reminds us:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Your body is God’s temple. Nourishing it is part of honoring Him.
Pray for Healing and Wholeness
When your body feels out of sync — your gut, your hormones, your energy — don’t just rely on diets. Pray. Ask God to heal, restore, and guide your health journey.
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
— Psalm 41:3 (NIV)
But remember, God’s grace meets us in action. Steward your body well by:
- Eating foods that nourish, not harm
- Listening to hunger and fullness cues
- Avoiding extremes and quick fixes
- Trusting the wisdom God wove into your body
We were not created to live bound to sugar cravings or diet cycles. We were created to thrive — to fulfill purpose, to create, to impact the world for God’s glory.
Master Your Diet, Master Your Life
In Outwitting the Devil, Napoleon Hill reveals how poor eating habits — overeating and unhealthy food combinations — produce internal toxins that dull your mind and hinder your potential.
But when you master your diet:
- Mental clarity returns
- Anxiety and depression can lift
- Energy and creativity increase
- You develop a faith-driven, go-getter mindset
It’s not about perfection. It’s about freedom. God desires for us to live free — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
— John 8:36 (NIV)
Final Thoughts: God at the Center of Your Wellness
Let’s stop chasing diet fads that leave us overwhelmed. Let’s build healthy, sustainable rhythms — with God at the center.
Invite Him into your eating, your health, and your daily habits. When you nourish your body well, you’re better equipped to live out your God-given purpose.
Master your diet. Master your mind. Walk in the freedom and purpose God created you for.
