Chapter 20—Condiments, Etc.

Part 1—Spices and Condiments

555. Condiments, so frequently used by those of the world, are ruinous to the digestion.—Letter 142, 1900CD 339.1

556. Under the head of stimulants and narcotics is classed a great variety of articles that, altogether, used as food or drink irritate the stomach, poison the blood, and excite the nerves. Their use is a positive evil. Men seek the excitement of stimulants, because, for the time, the results are agreeable. But there is always a reaction. The use of unnatural stimulants always tends to excess, and it is an active agent in promoting physical degeneration and decay.CD 339.2

In this fast age, the less exciting the food, the better. Condiments are injurious in their nature. Mustard, pepper, spices, pickles, and other things of a like character, irritate the stomach and make the blood feverish and impure. The inflamed condition of the drunkard's stomach is often pictured as illustrating the effect of alcoholic liquors. A similarly inflamed condition is produced by the use of irritating condiments. Soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite. The system feels a want, a craving, for something more stimulating.—The Ministry of Healing, 325, 1905CD 339.3

557. Condiments and spices used in the preparation of food for the table aid in digestion in the same way that tea, coffee, and liquor are supposed to help the laboring man perform his tasks. After the immediate effects are gone, they drop as correspondingly below par as they were elevated above par by these stimulating substances. The system is weakened. The blood is contaminated, and inflammation is the sure result.—Extracts from Unpublished Testimonies in Regard to Flesh Foods, 6, 1896.CD 339.4

Spices Irritate the Stomach and Cause Unnatural Cravings

558. Our tables should bear only the most wholesome food, free from every irritating substance. The appetite for liquor is encouraged by the preparation of food with condiments and spices. These cause a feverish state of the system, and drink is demanded to allay the irritation. On my frequent journeys across the continent, I do not patronize restaurants, dining car, or hotels, for the simple reason that I cannot eat the food there provided. The dishes are highly seasoned with salt and pepper, creating an almost intolerable thirst.... They would irritate and inflame the delicate coating of the stomach.... Such is the food that is commonly served upon fashionable tables, and given to the children. Its effect is to cause nervousness and to create thirst which water does not quench....Food should be prepared in as simple a manner as possible, free from condiments and spices, and even from an undue amount of salt.—The Review and Herald, November 6, 1883CD 339.5

[Spiced Foods Create Desire for Beverages with Meals—570]

559. Some have so indulged their taste, that unless they have the very article of food it calls for, they find no pleasure in eating. If condiments and spiced foods are placed before them, they make the stomach work by applying this fiery whip; for it has been so treated that it will not acknowledge unstimulating food.—Letter 53, 1898CD 340.1

560. Luxurious dishes are placed before the children,—spiced foods, rich gravies, cakes, and pastries. This highly seasoned food irritates the stomach, and causes a craving for still stronger stimulants. Not only is the appetite tempted with unsuitable food, of which the children are allowed to eat freely at their meals, but they are permitted to eat between meals; and by the time they are twelve or fourteen years of age, they are often confirmed dyspeptics.CD 340.2

You have perhaps seen a picture of the stomach of one who is addicted to strong drink. A similar condition is produced under the irritating influence of fiery spices. With the stomach in such a state, there is a craving for something more to meet the demands of the appetite, something stronger, and still stronger.—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 17, 1890CD 340.3

[For context see 355]

Their Use a Cause of Faintness

561. There is a class who profess to believe the truth, who do not use tobacco, snuff, tea, or coffee, yet they are guilty of gratifying the appetite in a different manner. They crave highly seasoned meats, with rich gravies, and their appetite has become so perverted that they cannot be satisfied with even meat, unless prepared in a manner most injurious. The stomach is fevered, the digestive organs are taxed, and yet the stomach labors hard to dispose of the load forced upon it. After the stomach has performed its task, it becomes exhausted, which causes faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want of food which produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to rest, they take more food, which for the time removes the faintness. And the more the appetite is indulged, the more will be its clamors for gratification.—Spiritual Gifts 4a:129, 1864CD 341.1

562. Spices at first irritate the tender coating of the stomach, but finally destroy the natural sensitiveness of this delicate membrane. The blood becomes fevered, the animal propensities are aroused, while the moral and intellectual powers are weakened, and become servants to the baser passions. The mother should study to set a simple yet nutritious diet before her family.—[Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 47] Counsels on Health, 114, 1890CD 341.2

563. Persons who have indulged their appetite to eat freely of meat, highly seasoned gravies, and various kinds of rich cakes and preserves, cannot immediately relish a plain, wholesome, nutritious diet. Their taste is so perverted they have not appetite for a wholesome diet of fruits, plain bread, and vegetables. They need not expect to relish at first food so different from that in which they have been indulging.—Spiritual Gifts 4a:130, 1864CD 341.3

564. With all the precious light that has continually been given to us in the health publications, we cannot afford to live careless, heedless lives, eating and drinking as we please, and indulging in the use of stimulants, narcotics, and condiments. Let us take into consideration the fact that we have souls to save or to lose, and that it is of vital consequence how we relate ourselves to the question of temperance. It is of great importance that individually we act well our part, and have an intelligent understanding of what we should eat and drink, and how we should live to preserve health. All are being proved to see whether we will accept the principles of health reform or follow a course of self-indulgence.—Manuscript 33, 1909CD 341.4

[Temperance Reformers Should Awaken to Evils from Use of Condiments—747]

[Though Mince Pies, Spices, etc., Are Discarded, the Food Should Be Prepared with Care—389]

[Time Wasted Preparing Foods Seasoned with Spices, Which Ruin Health, Sour the Temper, and Becloud the Reason—234]

[Spices and Condiments Allowed to Children—348, 351, 354, 360]

[Highly Seasoned Food Encourages Overeating and Produces Feverish Conditions—351]

[Free Use of Pickles and Condiments by a Nervous, Irritable Child—574]

[Cannot Be Converted into Good Blood—576]

[Refusal of Dainty Dishes and Rich Condiments, etc., Proves Workers to Be Practical Health Reformers—227]

[Animal Passions Excited by Spiced Foods—348]

[Foods Taken to Camp Meeting Should Be Free from All Spices and Grease—124]

[Spices not used in the White home-Appendix 1:4]

[Spiced Foods and Condiments Excite Nerves and Enfeeble Intellect—356]

[The Blessing of a Diet Free from Spices—119]

[Simple Foods, without Spices, Are Best—487]

[Those Craving Condiments to Be Enlightened—779]