Since a small child I have been regaled with stories

Since a small child I have been regaled with stories of people who claim that their communion with God is based on them not eating so and so, not being in contact with so and so, not listening to so and so, not attending so and so, not keeping the company of so and so...but I ask i's it the outward that matters or what is inside'? And if what is inside matters most then how can a person who possesses the inward attributes thinks that what you eat, what you listen to, what you attend, the company you keep can affect what's inside of you. For if any of that does then you really do not possess what is necessary inside. The bottom line is that if you're grounded in God then externalities cannot change that connection and, in fact, you have a responsibility to go to so and so place or connect with so and so people because those places and people need you to help impact them positively with your 'God-current'. And the foods you eat are simply there to nourish the body, nothing more.

"You are what you eat" : for example the swine/ pig was cast out of Heaven.
"Show me your company and I will tell you who you are" (this is self explanatory)
"IF you attend crab dance you must get mud " ( ancient Guyana proverb that answers your question)

So outward behavior influences your inner behavior !