I like to eat just as much as the next guy. Though I do sometimes forget to... But that's beside the point. Here are some of the most common food-related questions we get here at Exodus Inc.
Table of Contents:
How many meals are allowed per day? |
What counts as a snack? |
Does organic fruit juice count as a sweet drink? |
Can I have protein shakes? |
Does non-alcoholic beer count as an alcoholic beverage? |
Can I add milk to my tea? |
Can I drink coffee? |
I'm Dependent on Coffee but want to give it up! |
I have health concerns, do I have to follow all the food-related disciplines completely to do Exodus 90? |
How many meals are allowed per day?
Men are right, we don't state the answer to this in the Field Guide. But, three meals is assumed. Based on how often we get this question it must be a poor assumption.
What counts as a snack?
A snack is any food eaten between meals.
Potato chips are a common American snack food. When eaten between meals they are indeed a snack. Though, when eaten at a picnic alongside a juicy Johnsonville brat, it is not considered a snack, rather a side to one of the finest uses of meat there is. I can smell the charcoal burning now.
Does organic fruit juice count as a sweet drink?
The organic sticker might tell us something about the juice, but it doesn't tell us whether or not it is sweet. I presume God smiled when he made oranges, apples, grapes, mangoes, and even bigger when he made pineapples. I think the Father likely said to the Son, "Man, these are some of the sweetest things ever made." Even if the juice doesn't have added sweeteners, if it is naturally sweet, it is a sweet drink. Thanks be to God for that. Let's offer them up in these 90 days.
Can I have protein shakes?
If it is with your meal, you can drink a protein shake without problem. Athletes are permitted to drink protein shakes after a workout or at the time they normally would for performance purposes, but not solely as a snack. The rest of us athletic observers and recreational golfers shall abstain from protein shakes outside of meals.
For more on what you can consume for intense exercise, follow the link below and scroll to the related question:
Does non-alcoholic (NA) beer count as an alcoholic beverage?
Many non-alcoholic beers still have alcohol in them. If they do, they count as an alcoholic beverage. If you are going out of your way to find one that has no alcohol in it, maybe consider abstaining from it anyway.
Can I add milk to my tea?
You can have milk, and you can have tea. Though independently of each other each of these is acceptable, when you add milk to your tea, your tea is no longer unsweetened. Thus, in these 90 days, you have the opportunity to abstain from milk in your tea. If you are an ambitious Englishman you could take a sip of tea and then quickly take a sip of milk. But if the milk is in a common serving dish at the table for all to use, that might be culturally frowned upon. And, if you consider the spirit of the discipline in accord with the letter of the discipline, it would be better to avoid this two-sip drinking strategy.
Can I drink coffee?
How are you making it?
Like tea, black coffee is permissible during Exodus 90. These 90 days provide you an opportunity to abstain from milk, sweeteners, or other additives in your coffee. Just black coffee is permitted.
Are you dependent on coffee?
If you find that you are dependent on coffee we would encourage you to utilize the graces of Exodus 90 to become free from coffee. Depending on your attachment, consider some advice from men who have done Exodus 90 more than once.
Past Exodus men have seen Exodus 90 as a springboard, a time of preparation, for even greater freedom in the future. For example, a man who wanted to quit smoking took on Exodus 90 as it is and didn't worry about smoking during his ninety days. Then on Day 91 he channeled the graces he had received and the discipline he had grown in during Exodus 90, to quit smoking on Day 91. Perfect or imperfect at first, by God's grace this man is free from smoking today.
If you are very attached to coffee, consider just focusing on the disciplines of Exodus 90 during your exodus, only having black coffee. Then on Day 91, use these graces of greater freedom to lean on God for even further freedom Day 91. With God's grace, you can be free from dependency on coffee.
I have health concerns, do I have to follow all the food-related disciplines completely to do Exodus 90?
Each man should be prudent when abstaining from foods and fasting. Don't make excuses for yourself or take it easy on yourself for no legitimate reason. If you have a legitimate health concern, refrain from the disciplines that pose a unique threat to your health. If you are refraining from any disciplines, share this with your fraternity as you are able, especially with your Anchor. Allow your brothers to pray for you as well as to know just how they need to hold you accountable. No need to add any extra disciplines if you have to remove one. Your added health concern already has taken its place. Simply embrace the rest of the disciplines with greater love and zeal.
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."
-1 Corinthians 10:31