Dietary Counseling

Dietary Counseling

Halal – “a word used that describes any behavior that is permissible under Islamic law, including behavior, speech, dress, manner, conduct, and dietary laws” Literally meaning “permissible”

Haram – food that is forbidden for consumption under Islamic law

Zabiha – the term used for slaughtering an animal according to Islamic law

Dietary Counseling

Many verses in the Koran (Quran) emphasize the importance of observing Halal in honor of Allah Frequently used to cite Allah's instruction on the

importance of observing a Halal diet They include:

Dietary Counseling

Koran 2:173 - “He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the Meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin”

Koran 5:3 - “Prohibited for you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the MEAT of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. (Animals that die of themselves include those) strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, attacked by a wild animal - unless you save your animal before it dies - and animals sacrificed on altars. Also prohibited is dividing the meat through a game of chance; this is an abomination”...unless forced to do so by famine

Dietary Counseling

Koran 5:5 - “Today, all good food is made lawful for you. The food of the people of the scripture (Jews & Christians) is lawful (halal) for you...”

Koran 6:145 - “I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except: (1) carrion, (2) running blood, (3) the meat of pigs, for it is contaminated, and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD”

Dietary Counseling

Koran 16:14 - “And He committed the sea to serve you; you eat from it tender meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the ships roaming it for your commercial benefits, as you seek His bounties, that you may be appreciative”

Koran 16:115 - “He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD”

Dietary Counseling

Protocol of Zabiha: Only animals that are not forbidden should be slaughtered The animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim If the animal is small enough, it is held against the ground The throat is slit, but not severed, and the three main blood

vessels are cut While the throat is being slit, the slaughterer speaks the

name of Allah or recites a blessing containing his name All parts of the animal, including muscle and hooves, are

considered Halal

Dietary Counseling

Dietary considerations: Alcohol – all intoxicants, especially alcohol, are

considered Haram (not Halal) Foods cooked in spirits, liquor, or beer are not acceptable A food ingredient that is suspended in alcohol is also not

acceptable ex. vanilla extract

Gelatin – depending on the source, gelatin may or may not be Halal If the gelatin came from a pig or an unblessed cow, it is

considered Haram (not Halal) Gelatin derived from fish may also be Halal, depending

on an individual's beliefs regarding shellfish

Dietary Counseling

Dietary considerations (cont): Lecithin – if derived from vegetables (usually soy),

eggs, or Halal animals, Lecithin is acceptable to eat Prevents oil and water from separating

Rennet and other dairy enzymes – Rennet comes from the stomach of a calf If the calf was slaughtered according to Zabiha, it is Halal If these enzymes come from an animal that is not Halal,

they are always forbidden Shortening – if derived from a non-Halal animal, such

as lard from a pig, shortening is forbidden Shortening derived from vegetables is Halal

Dietary Counseling

Dietary considerations (cont.):

Blood - Raw meat must be soaked in water to drain out the blood before cooking. Muslims are permitted to eat only well-done cooked meat where no trace of blood can be found after cooking

Fasting during Ramadan – for suhur (pre-fast meal), iftar (evening meal), and snacks between sunset and sunrise, it is recommended that Muslims eat high-fiber meals to sustain satiety over longer periods

• Fried foods and sugary sweets should be avoided

Dietary Counseling

Islamic Nuances for Dietetic Practice:

Physical contact between non-mahram (non-blood or marriage related) females and males is generally not permissable

Do not initiate a handshake with a patient of the opposite sex unless they extend their hand first

• Also applies to hugging

When consulting patients of the opposite sex, leave the door ajar, but not wide open to protect patient privacy

Ideally, physical contact should be performed in private by a practitioner of the same gender

Dietary Counseling

Islamic Nuances for Dietetic Practice (cont.):

Since some Muslims may not feel comfortable in co-ed fitness centers, dietary practitioners should consider physical activities that can be done at home or in private

Consider Muslim-friendly facilities with designated hours for men and women

Ask questions regarding personal degrees of religious observance, but be respectful

Dietary Counseling

Islamic Food and Nutrition Counsil of America (IFANCA)“Non-profit Islamic organization dedicated to promote halal food

and the institution of halal”

“IFANCA-certified halal products are in nearly every major country of the world and cover all food-industry categories”

Certifies halal food products in over 50 countries around the world

“Certifies halal products in all food and consumable product categories, as well as vaccines and pharmaceuticals”

Certifies cosmetics, packaging materials, and sanitation chemicals

Dietary Counseling

Rahman, Anisur. Halal and Haram Related Verses in the Holy Quran. Progressive Muslim Organization. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.progressive-muslim.org/halal-haram-quran.htm>.

Dietary Regulations and Food Habits of Muslims. Muslim World Cook Book. American Trust Publications; Plainfield, IN. 1991.

"Halal Diet." Wellness. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.wellness.com/reference/health-and-wellness/halal-diet>.

IFANCA: About Us. Islamic Food and Nutrition Counsil of America. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ifanca.org/cms/wpages/detail/4ca2ce9e-2120-4458-ae07-593c1b830f0c>.

Einakib, Sara. Culinary Traditions of Islam. Food & Nutrition Magazine. 01 Oct. 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://foodandnutritionmagazine.com/Culinary-Traditions-of-Islam>.

ElGindy, Gihan. Meeting Jewish and Muslim Patients' Dietary Needs. Minority Nurse. 2005. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.minoritynurse.com/cultural-competency/meeting-jewish-and-muslim-patients%E2%80%99-dietary-needs>.