Is it sinful to eat processed, convenience, or junk foods when there are better, more natural alternatives?

As part of your question, you mentioned a social media post you saw that said we are wasting the natural, nutritious food God has given us and trading it for protein shakes; sugary, processed food; and energy drinks. This might make you question your choices as you balance enjoying those things and caring for your body.

We are stewards of our bodies

God gives each person the gift of one body. He wants us to be good stewards, or managers, of our bodies. Stewardship has been defined as managing God’s resources God’s way because of God’s love. It is a great definition because it provides the what, the how, and the why.

While each person enjoys Christian freedom in managing God’s blessings, a guiding principle of stewardship is: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). With Christian judgment, we are free to use God’s blessings in the way we feel is best. I may choose one way, and another Christian may choose another. Both may be done to God’s glory.

You may have heard the phrase “everything in moderation.” While that specific phrase is not found in the Bible, the concept certainly is. The Bible encourages self-control with God’s blessings. There can be too much of a good thing! While our sinful nature desires evil things, at times we as Christians might love good things badly. Psalm 104:14,15 states: “[God] makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” An alcoholic beverage is a blessing from God. Delicious food is a blessing from God. But Scripture warns: “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat” (Proverbs 23:20).

Consuming the things that you mentioned in your question is not sinful in and of itself, but overindulgence is. But where is that line? It may be different for different people. The apostle Paul wrote, “ ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). In other words, when making decisions about what we consume, we can’t just focus on our freedom. We need to ask, “Is it beneficial? Is this an addiction?” Having a treat for enjoyment can be beneficial, but when a craving crosses into the realm of addiction, it’s gone too far.

Understanding the paradox

A paradox is a seemingly contradictory set of statements that are both true. There are paradoxes in the truths of Scripture. One such paradox is this: The end of life is fixed by God, and we can shorten or lengthen our lives. According to the first statement, it would seem that people can do whatever they want because God has determined the end of their lives. This would be an abuse of Scripture. According to the second statement, people may become overly concerned about every choice that needs to be made, worrying that they are shortening their lives. This too would be an abuse of Scripture.

The key to understanding the paradox is this: From God’s perspective, the end of life is fixed. From our perspective, we may lengthen or shorten our lives. God governs all things and knows all things. According to his plan, God takes into account the prayers and choices of his people as well as the purpose he has for them. However, from the perspective of human responsibility, we may shorten or lengthen our lives by the choices we make. Generally, when people abuse their bodies, life is shorter. When they take care of their bodies, life is longer.

The Bible tells us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). This is not only a wonderful comfort but also a great responsibility. As Christians, we will be guided by God’s Word when we make decisions about what we put into our bodies, knowing that we are responsible for the choices we make. Those choices have ramifications for our lives.

At the same time, we can say with the psalmist, “My times are in your hands” (31:15). That means that we do not need to stress out about every choice we make about the things we eat or drink. Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). What a comfort that God is in control and our times are in his hands!

Remember that extended life is not the goal for Christians. Eternal life is the goal. Being a good manager does not mean that we need to eke out every last second of life from our perspective. God provides blessings for our enjoyment. We want to care for our bodies without stressing about every “unhealthy” thing we enjoy. Again, everything in moderation. Having a Twinkie is okay. Just don’t eat the whole box in one sitting!

Conscience is an important consideration

Throughout this answer, I’ve stressed that there is great freedom in this area. In some ways, the answer to your question will vary by individual. For some, their conscience will not allow them to eat or drink certain things. If that’s the case for you, then you should not eat or drink those things. It is always sinful to go against your conscience. Romans 14:22,23 illustrates this point: “Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” One person may be able to enjoy something in good conscience to the glory of God (e.g., a Big Mac), while another may struggle with whether it’s right to put that much fat and sodium into the body God has given. Finally, a person should not judge the freedom of another, and a person should not use freedom to burden another’s conscience in this area of stewardship.

God provides blessings for our enjoyment. We want to care for our bodies without stressing about every “unhealthy” thing we enjoy.

In biblical times, there were no sodas, energy drinks, or processed foods, so the Bible does not speak directly about the use of these things. These are modern products that use the resources and ingenuity God gives. We are free to use them with Christian judgment. The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (2:24,25). Responsibly enjoy all of God’s gifts to his glory!

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Author: David Scharf
Volume 112, Number 06
Issue: June 2025