⁵ If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or or faultfinding, and it will be given him.--James 1:5, AMPC

Fruits are sweet because they have a lot of sugar. They are certainly much healthier than bleached white table sugar, but I've discovered it's still wisdom to pair fruit with other foods, at least most of the time. 

I realized this when I discovered dried mangoes. They are delicious! I didn't even think about the sugar, really. I was just tickled to see the words "organic" (no pesticides or drugs used) and "NON-gmo" (not genetically altered by scientists) on the package. 

So, I allowed myself to eat quite a few--and started noticing more fat around my middle the next day. 

Ugh, phooey.

I stopped eating them for a few months. 

Then, I discovered a different brand of dried mangoes, with child and salt, that was certified organic; only three ingredients. Excellent!

The health food store was usually out of those, but I discovered another brand of such, albeit pretty pricey (but I'm worth it), and they were just as delicious. 

So, I at the whole (small) bag in just two days. 

I checked my favorite retail store, and they had some too, although not organic. 

Still thinking these were healthy, and a good investment, I allowed myself to eat more than usual.  

I forgot that mangoes--and most fruits, actually--have a lot of sugar. So, if the body is not burning it, guess what happens?  Also, the chile powder in these--and, I discovered when I looked on the back--the many presevatives, made my digestive system uncomfortable. 

Yes, it collects around one's middle, and perhaps other places. 

However, the LORD reminded me that, just like as He's taught me to eat foods with "secular" sugar (read: white table sugar or non-organic brown sugar)--on the rare occasion that I do--with other foods, especially those with protein, I can do that with high-sugar foods.

It works well! The other foods (whether healthy bread, protein-rich foods of drug-free meat, seeds, nuts, egg whites, spinach, kale, broccoli, quinoa, protein drinks, etc.) do a good job of helping absorb the sugars in the fruit, and also the chile pepper/spices, etc.

I like to share lessons I've learned, and this one was learned the hard way. May you benefit from this wisdom!

Best of health to you in 2023!

Through books, presentations, service, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" and POWERLight Learning YT channel.