Basic Dietary Requirements for Faith Groups

Helpful Suggestions

Always label food well (not just written in pencil the wrapper as this will be unwrapped and then the food will no longer be labelled). Always cook, store and set vegetarian and meat foods separately. Fruit that is still within its skin can be eaten by all faith groups and so is always useful to have available.

The Baha’i faith

Baha'i's have no specific dietary requirements. Some Baha'i's may be vegetarian but there is a personal choice and not a religious requirement. The use of alcohol is strictly prohibited except when prescribed by a physician.

Brahma Kumaris

Brahma Kumaris are encouraged to eat a lacto-vegetarian diet free from alcohol. Most Brahma Kumaris would not use onions or garlic in cooking and prefer to have their food cooked and blessed by fellow Brahma Kumaris.

Buddhism

Some Buddhists are vegetarian or vegan due to respect for other sentient beings. Some may have taken a precept which involves eating only one main meal a day. This is usually eaten before midday. However, it is not uncommon to find non-vegetarian Buddhist as the Budha asked his monks to eat whatever they receive.

Christianity

There are no universal Christian dietary regulations.

Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

Church members live by a health code known as the Word of Wisdom. It warns against the use of stimulants and substances that are harmful to the body and promotes heathy eating. Latter-Day saints will abstain from tea, coffee and alcohol.

Hinduism

Hindus are mostly vegetarian. The cow is viewed as a sacred animal and therefore even meat-eating Hindus may not eat beef. Some Hindus will eat eggs, some will not: some will also not eat onions or garlic; it is best to ask each individual. Dairy produce is acceptable so long as it is free of any animal rennet. It is important to remember that strict vegetarians will be unhappy about eating vegetarian items if they are served from the same utensils as meat.

Humanist

Many Humanists are vegetarians, but this is of their own choosing and not a requirement of being humanist.

Islam

Muslims will eat permitted food (halal) and will not eat or drink anything that is considered forbidden (haram). Halal food requires that Allah’s name is invoked at the time of slaying of an animal. Lamb, beef goat and chicken are halal provided these are killed by the Muslim with a religious prayer. Fish and eggs are also halal.

All products from pork, carrion and blood are forbidden (haram) as are all types of alcohol. In Britain Muslims buy their meat from a Muslim butcher whenever possible. A Muslim does not eat meat or food generally available in the shops which contain animal fats, fearing it may contain pork fat or fat from another animal not ritually slaughtered. Although fish and eggs are allowed, strict separation from meat in preparation is essential. Unless absolutely sure that all food is halal, when away from home many Muslims will follow a vegetarian diet.

Jainism

Other than mainly vegetarian and some refuse onions, garlic and root vegetables. Dairy products are acceptable so long as they are free of animal rennet.

Jehovah Witness

Other than the rejection of foods containing blood. Jehovah’s Witnesses have no special dietary requirements. Some Jehovah Witnesses may be vegetarian and others may abstain from alcohol. But this is personal choice.

Judaism

The Jewish community has strict guidelines concerning some aspects of their diet, particularly in relation to meat and dairy products. Acceptable food is called Kosher. Most Jews will only eat meat which is killed and prepared by their own religious workers and will not take meat and milk in the same meal. As there is a wide range of religious practice by Jewish people, observance of the dietary laws will vary from person to person. Orthodox Jews will not wish to use crockery or cutlery that has previously been used for serving food that is not Kosher. Therefore, they should be served the Kosher meal in its original wrapping. Together with plastic cutlery and disposable plates. It is important that staff ensure that Jewish guests are given meals bearing the word Kosher.

All Kosher cheeses must display a rabbinical seal of approval. Ordinary cheese contains rennet, which may derive from a calf’s stomach. Many Jews will not eat cheese which is described as vegetarian.

Paganism

For ethical reasons, most Pagans have strong preferences for foods derived from organic forming and free-range livestock rearing, while many are vegetarian or vegan.

Sikhism

Many Baptised Sikhs keep to a vegetarian diet which excludes eggs. Those Sikhs who eat meat are prohibited from eating pork or beef, or any animal flesh that is halal or Kosher, as they only eat meat that has been slaughtered according to their own rites (jhatka). It is therefore essential to avoid contamination with beef or other meats at all stages of preparation, storage and serving. Practicing Sikhs will also refrain from alcohol.

Taoism

For many Taoist practitioners the dietary requirements are all about balance and their meals may contain a mixture of colour and flavours with only a small proportion of meat, with the vegetables having to be sourced locally and seasonal. For strict Taoist practitioners they may follow a predominantly vegan lifestyle, also cutting out yeast, refined sugars, processed foods, white flour, caffeine and alcohol.