Jordan Rubin was 19 when he started dying. That's not hyperbole. He was a 6-foot-tall college student who had withered away to 104 pounds. His body was basically a skeleton draped in skin, ravaged by Crohn's disease, chronic fatigue, and a list of infections that would make a medical textbook cringe. He'd seen 70 different doctors. He tried every conventional drug and a mountain of "alternative" supplements, but nothing stuck. Then, he decided to eat like the people in the Bible.
It sounds like a Sunday school lesson, but for Rubin, it was a literal matter of survival. This radical shift didn't just save his life; it birthed a movement. The Maker's Diet Jordan Rubin introduced to the world in 2004 became a New York Times bestseller for a reason. It wasn't just another calorie-counting app in book form. It was a manifesto on returning to "primitive" nutrition.
The Biblical Blueprint for the Modern Gut
Most people think this is just "the kosher diet." It's not. While it definitely leans on the Levitical laws of clean and unclean animals, Rubin’s philosophy goes way deeper than just avoiding pork and shellfish. He argues that our modern health crisis—the explosion of MS, lupus, and IBS—is a direct result of us abandoning the way we were "designed" to eat.
Basically, if it didn't exist 2,000 years ago, it probably shouldn't be in your pantry.
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The diet focuses on three main pillars:
- Eat what was originally created as food.
- Don't mess with it. (Avoid over-processing).
- Don't make food an idol.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a slap in the face to the modern grocery store. We’re talking about grass-fed meats, raw dairy (where legal), fermented vegetables, and sprouted grains. No hydrogenated oils. No artificial sweeteners. No "Franken-foods."
Why the 40-Day Experience is the Core
Rubin didn't just say "eat this, not that." He structured it into a 40-day journey. Why 40 days? It’s a significant number in biblical history—think Noah’s flood or Jesus in the wilderness. In the context of The Maker's Diet Jordan Rubin created, it's about the time it takes to reset your internal biology.
The program is broken into three distinct phases.
Phase One is the "cleansing" stage. It's the most restrictive and lasts for the first two weeks. You’re cutting out almost all sugars—even most fruits—and focusing on high-quality proteins and fats. The goal is to stabilize blood sugar and starve out the "bad" bacteria in the gut. If you’ve ever tried a strict Keto or Paleo diet, this will feel familiar, though Rubin includes unique elements like goat's milk kefir.
Phase Two loosens the reins a bit. You start reintroducing more complex carbs and certain fruits. By Phase Three, you’ve reached the "maintenance" level where you’re eating a diverse range of biblically clean foods.
The interesting thing about this plan is that it’s not just about the food on the plate. Rubin insists on lifestyle "hygiene." This means getting to bed by 10:30 PM because of our natural circadian rhythms and practicing "Life Purpose" exercises to manage stress. He’s very big on the connection between a stressed mind and a leaky gut.
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The Soil-Based Organism (SBO) Secret
This is where Rubin gets controversial—or visionary, depending on who you ask. During his recovery, he became obsessed with "homeostatic soil organisms."
Think about it. Our ancestors didn't have triple-washed, plastic-wrapped spinach. They pulled carrots out of the ground, gave them a quick wipe, and ate them. They were consuming tiny amounts of soil-based bacteria that we’ve completely scrubbed out of our modern lives with pesticides and "ultra-clean" farming.
Rubin believes these "dirt germs" are the missing link in our immune systems. He credits them with "re-seeding" his gut when nothing else worked. This led to his founding of Garden of Life and later Ancient Nutrition, where soil-based probiotics remain a cornerstone of the product lines. Critics often point out that the FDA has previously cautioned about some of the health claims made around these supplements, but for the millions who follow the Maker’s lifestyle, the anecdotal evidence is hard to ignore.
What's Actually on the "Unclean" List?
If you’re going to follow The Maker's Diet Jordan Rubin laid out, you have to say goodbye to some fan favorites.
- Pork: Pigs are scavengers. According to the diet, their physiology isn't designed for human consumption.
- Shellfish: Shrimp, lobster, and clams are the "filters" of the ocean. Rubin argues they concentrate toxins.
- Bottom Feeders: Catfish is out. If it doesn't have fins and scales, it’s off the menu.
- Hydrogenated Oils: These are the "damaged" fats found in margarines and processed snacks.
Instead, you're looking at "clean" meats like beef, lamb, and venison—provided they are grass-fed and not pumped full of hormones. Fish like salmon and trout are staples.
Is it Actually Healthy or Just Religious?
There’s a lot of overlap between the Maker’s Diet and what we now call "Whole30" or "Ancestral" eating. Science has caught up to a lot of what Rubin was shouting about in the early 2000s. We know now that chronic inflammation is a killer. We know that sugar-laden diets destroy the microbiome.
However, the diet isn't without its detractors. Some nutritionists argue that the total exclusion of certain food groups—like shellfish or specific grains—isn't strictly necessary for health. Others worry that the focus on "raw" dairy could lead to foodborne illnesses.
But Rubin isn't just selling a weight-loss plan. He’s selling a philosophy of stewardship. The idea is that your body is a temple, and putting "trash" into it is more than just a bad habit; it's a lack of respect for the "Maker."
Moving Toward a "Maker" Lifestyle Today
You don't have to go 100% Biblical overnight to see the benefits. Most people start by just cutting the "Big Three" no-nos:
- Detestable things: Stop the pork and shellfish.
- Artificial junk: Ditch the aspartame and chemical dyes.
- Damaged oils: Replace canola and soybean oil with olive or coconut oil.
If you’re dealing with chronic digestive issues, the real value in The Maker's Diet Jordan Rubin wrote is the emphasis on fermentation. Adding raw sauerkraut or high-quality kefir can do wonders for a bloated stomach.
Actionable Steps to Get Started:
- Audit your fats: Go to your pantry right now. If your "vegetable oil" is actually 100% soybean oil, toss it. Replace it with extra virgin olive oil for salads and organic coconut oil or butter for cooking.
- The 24-hour test: Try eating only "one-ingredient" foods for one day. An egg is an egg. An apple is an apple. See how much better your energy feels when your body isn't processing 40 different additives.
- Read the label on your "Healthy" yogurt: Most commercial yogurts are basically melted ice cream with a few dead bacteria. Switch to a plain, grass-fed Greek yogurt or, better yet, a goat's milk kefir.
- Check your sleep: Rubin's "10:30 PM rule" is underrated. Your gallbladder and liver do their best detoxing between 11 PM and 2 AM. If you're awake, you're fighting your own biology.
The Maker's Diet isn't just about what happened 2,000 years ago. It's about recognizing that while technology has changed, our DNA really hasn't. We still need real food, clean water, and a lot less stress. Whether you believe in the "Maker" or just believe in biology, the principles of eating closer to the earth are hard to argue with.
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To implement the full 40-day experience, the best approach is to start by identifying your "Level." Rubin categorizes people into Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced based on their current health status. If you are struggling with a diagnosed condition like Crohn's, starting at Phase One of the Advanced track is usually the recommended path to see a significant "reboot" of the system. For most people just looking to feel better, the Intermediate track offers a sustainable balance.