religious and cultural food choices

• many religions have specific dietary laws that they follow
• hinduism:

  • many hindus are vegetarian, but some tend to avoid certain vegetables that are considered harmful such as garlic, onion and mushrooms
  • some hindus choose to eat meat, however cows are sacred in hinduism, so most hindus avoid eating any beed
• islam:

  • the quran states that meats eaten by muslims must be halal - where the animal is slaughtered in a specific way while being blessed
  • muslims cannot eat pork, nor any product made from pigs such as gelatine.
  • muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol
  • during ramadan, muslims fast between sunrise and sunset
• judaism:

  • jewish dietary laws state that their food must be kosher
  • kosher animals are animals that have split hooves and chew cud - such as cows
  • animals must be slaughtered with quick, painless methods which allow the blood to drain afterwards
  • jews are not allowed to eat pig, rabbit, hare
  • dairy and meats must not be cooked together or even eaten as a mixture
• christianity:

  • there are no strict laws about foods in christianity
  • during lent, christians often choose to give up certain foods
  • hot cross buns are eaten on good friday and pancakes at the start of lent
• sikhism:

  • baptised sikhs are prohibited from eating meat which is ritually slaughtered , such as halal or kosher
  • many sikhs are vegetarians
  • sikhs should avoid over indulging
• buddhists:

  • buddhists believe that all living beings are sacred, so the majority of buddhists are vegetarian or vegan
  • most buddhists avoid alcohol
  • some buddhists choose to fast from noon until sunrise
• rastafarianism:

  • eating pork is forbidden
  • diets are mainly vegetables
  • dont drink alcohol but do drink tea or juice