Here are some notable quotes regarding Ellen G. White’s views on meat-eating and her own dietary practices:
1. On occasional meat consumption during travel:
“When I could not obtain the food I needed, I have sometimes eaten a little meat; but I am becoming more and more afraid of it.” – Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 1890 .
2. On her decision to fully abstain from meat:
“Since the camp meeting at Brighton [January, 1894] I have absolutely banished meat from my table. It is an understanding that whether I am at home or abroad, nothing of this kind is to be used in my family, or come upon my table.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, 1938 [oai_citation:5,Ellen G. White® Estate:
Clean and Unclean Meats](https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-clean-uncl-html/).
3. On meat-eating as a policy rather than a principle:
“I have never felt that it was my duty to say that no one should taste meat under any circumstance. To say this… would be carrying matters to extremes.” This reflects her view that vegetarianism, while encouraged, was not an absolute requirement for spiritual or moral standing within the faith .
These quotes underscore her evolving stance on vegetarianism and her practical approach to health reform. You can find more details on the Ministry Magazine and Ellen G. White Estate websites for further reading [oai_citation:2,Ellen G. White® Estate:
Clean and Unclean Meats](https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-clean-uncl-html/) [oai_citation:1,Ministry Magazine | Ellen G. White and vegetarianism](https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1986/04/ellen-g.-white-and-vegetarianism).
Ellen G. White, a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, advocated for a vegetarian lifestyle as part of her health reform teachings, which discouraged meat consumption. However, historical accounts reveal that she occasionally consumed meat, particularly under specific circumstances like travel or limited food availability. For instance, White reportedly ate meat, including oysters and other types of flesh foods, during travel or camp meetings when other options were sparse. In some cases, she even admitted that in early years she did not strictly avoid meat until her dietary principles evolved over time [oai_citation:3,Ellen G. White® Estate:
Clean and Unclean Meats](https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-clean-uncl-html/).
By 1894, White committed to abstaining from meat altogether, solidifying her stance by stating that meat would no longer appear on her table at home or while traveling. This commitment marked her final departure from meat consumption and reflected her growing emphasis on vegetarianism as essential for health. Her changing practices suggest a pragmatic approach to dietary reforms that evolved as her access to food improved and her understanding of health grew [oai_citation:2,Ellen G. White® Estate:
Clean and Unclean Meats](https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-clean-uncl-html/) [oai_citation:1,Ministry Magazine | Ellen G. White and vegetarianism](https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1986/04/ellen-g.-white-and-vegetarianism).
