Diets of the Major Religions

Muslim Diet

Muslims are required to follow a halal diet. Halal means lawful and is used to designate food which is permitted in Islam.

Not permitted: pork and any other pork product (e.g. bacon, ham, gelatine); meat and derivatives not killed ritually; alcohol.

Permitted: Meat and derivatives that have been killed ritually (halal meat); fish; eggs; vegetarian foods.

The religious laws say all animals should be treated with respect. Slaughtering methods must limit the amount of pain the animal will endure.

According to the Quran, Muslims cannot eat pork or pork by-products, animals that were dead prior to slaughtering, blood and blood by-products, alcohol, carnivorous animals, birds of prey or land animals without external ears. Those foods are called “haram,” meaning “forbidden” in Arabic.

Health care Providers' Handbook on Muslim Patients, State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2010

This image is from Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

Sikh Diet

Some Sikhs follow a strict vegetarian diet. The following table outlines foods which are suitable for vegetarian Sikhs, as well as many common non-vegetarian additives and ingredients that may be found in these foods. These non-vegetarian additives need to be identified as they would make these seemingly vegetarian foods unsuitable.

Sikhs who do not follow a vegetarian diet may eat meat from any animal, but are prohibited from eating any meat which has been ritually slaughtered, including halal and kosher meat products. However, some Sikhs may choose to not eat beef or pork.

Sikhs are also prohibited from consuming alcohol and foods made using alcohol. This includes products such as bitters, vanilla essence and foods cooked or preserved using alcohol.

Healthcare Providers' Handbook on Sikh Patients, State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2011

This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

Hindu Diet

Hindu dietary practices can vary depending on the individual’s beliefs and customs.

Most Hindus do not eat beef or pork and many follow a vegetarian diet. Fasting is common among Hindus, but there are no set rules and the decision to fast is up to the individual.

Many Hindus follow Ayurvedic dietary practices. Under this system certain foods are classified as hot or cold and can adversely or positively affect health conditions and emotions.

The classification of foods as hot or cold is unrelated to temperature. Hot foods are generally those foods which are salty, sour or high in animal protein, while cold foods are generally sweet or bitter.

Some strict Hindus do not consume garlic or onion as the properties of these foods disturb spiritual practices such as meditation.

Health care Providers' Handbook on Hindu Patients,State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2011.

Image from Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Christian Diet

Dietary restrictions are non-existent in most Christian denominations. There are only two notable vegetarian Christian denominations: Seventh Day Adventists; and Doukhobors.

The Doukhobors strict vegetarian lifestyle evolved from their pacifist beliefs. Their convictions against killing and violence extend to all of God's living creatures.

Seventh Day Adventist believe God calls all of us to take care of our bodies and discourage their members from eating meat, alcohol consumption and gluttony.

Mormons refrain from drinking tea, coffee and alcohol.

This work has been released into the public domain.

Jewish DietJewish people have several dietary restrictions. Some are ritualistic and only take place during certain festivals. Other foods are prohibited at all times:

Koshur food are foods that conform to Jewish dietary law. To be considered Kosher, birds must have wings, fish must have scales and fins and animals must chew cud and have a cloven hoof. Dairy products and meat are not to be consumed at the same time. To ingest the blood of any animal is strictly forbidden. Produce coming from Israel must be tithed.

Several holidays have dietary rituals:

● On the day of Yom Kippur, Jews will fast (no food or drink) for 24 hours.

● As an expression of mourning, during the first nine day of Av, Jews will not eat meat.

● During Passover, nothing that is leavened is allowed to be consumed.

This image is from Wikimedia Commons. File is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic

Buddhist DietMany Buddhists maintain a vegetarian diet, but it is left to personal choice.

“One positive development within modern society is the way in which, together with a growing appreciation of the importance of human rights, people are coming to have greater concern for animals. For example, there is growing recognition of the inhumanity of factory farming. It seems, too, that more and more people are taking an interest in vegetarianism and cutting down on their consumption of meat. I welcome this. My hope is that in the future, this concern will be extended to consideration for even the smallest creatures of the sea.”

- Dalai Lama

Image from Wikimedia Commons. File licences under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.