Religion and food

Hindus generally avoid foods they believe hinder spiritual development—for example, garlic and onion and other foods that stimulate the senses. While eating meat is not prohibited, many Hindus avoid it. Eating beef itself is prohibited (cows are sacred), but dairy products from cows are acceptable and considered spiritually pure.

Buddhists’ dietary practices are varied. While many Buddhists are vegetarian, it is inaccurate to assume all are. Whether a Buddhist is vegetarian depends on individual choice, the sect to which they belong, or the country they’re from. For example, vegetarianism is rare among Tibetan and Japanese Buddhists. Some may abstain from meat and eat only fish

Sikhism

Although dietary practices vary from person to person, most eat meat as long as it is not prepared according to Kosher or Halal methods. Alcohol is prohibited

The Church of the Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon church, is well-known for prohibiting alcohol and tobacco consumption. Mormons also avoid caffeine and hot drinks like coffee and tea. Mormons may, however, eat meat, herbs, vegetables and fruits “in the season thereof,” and wheat, which they believe has been ordained to man. Moderation is strongly encouraged

Jewish

Kosher 

• Animals must have cloven hooves and chew the cud e.g. cows, goats and sheep are kosher.
• Fish must haves scales and fins.
• Kosher food must be butchered and prepared in a special way: a single knife blow to the throat killing the animal; the blood drained out of it afterwards; the cut up the meat soaked in water and salted to remove the last traces of blood.
• Animals must be in perfect health to be kosher.
• Fruit is kosher.
• Vegetarian dairy products are kosher.
• Meat and milk utensils, crockery and cutlery should be kept strictly separate. Disposable cutlery and crockery should be used to serve kosher food in the hospital to avoid cross-contamination with non-kosher utensils.

Non-Kosher 

• Examples of non-kosher animals would be horses, pigs and the wild birds.
• Shellfish and eels are examples of non-kosher fish.
• Any meat – even that from kosher animals – that has not been butchered and prepared in a specific way is not kosher.
• Animals that are not healthy, or that have some internal disease discovered after death, are not kosher.
• Fruit damaged by rot or insects is not kosher.
• It is not kosher to mix dairy and meat products together and a three hour wait between eating these kinds of food is preferred.
• Utensils used in the preparation of non-kosher food are non-kosher.

Muslim 

All foods are considered halal except the following (which are haram):

• Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants
• Non-Halal Animal Fat
• Enzymes* (Microbial Enzymes are permissible)
• Gelatine* – from non-Halal source (fish gelatine is Halal)
• L-cysteine (if from human hair)
• Lard
• Lipase* (only animal lipase need be avoided)
• Non-Halal Animal Shortening
• Pork, Bacon / Ham and anything from pigs
• Unspecified Meat Broth
• Rennet* (All forms should be avoided except for plant / microbial /
• synthetic – rennet obtained from halal slaughtered animal is
• permissible).
• Stock* (a blend of mix species broth or meat stock)
• Tallow* (non-Halal species)
• Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and certain other animals
• Foods contaminated with any of the above products

(*May be consumed if derived from Halal animals.)

Halal/Haram

Foods containing ingredients such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, and flavours are questionable, because the origin of these ingredients is not known. In the meat and poultry food industry, animals such as cows, veal, lamb, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, game birds, bison, venison, etc, are considered halal, but they must be prepared according to Islamic laws in order for their meat to be suitable for consumption (see below). Fish and seafood (with the exception of crocodiles, alligators and frogs) are generally acceptable for Muslims but as always check first, as there may be a personal dietary preference or allergy. The preparation of the fish or seafood should not include alcohol (ie batter or wine, or anything considered haram). In cases of necessity, prohibited things may become permissible (halal) for the duration of the emergency or need, as Islam puts a priority on life over death. Refer to Qur’an at Chapter 2:173 (Al Baqarah).

Catholic

Fasting (not eating any solid food) and abstinence (refraining from particular foods) is often part of Catholics’ lives during Lent, for a brief period before receiving communion, and in some instances on the eve of a feast, as an act of spiritual discipline and preparation. The degree to which this is observed varies significantly. Historically it has often had a more important role than it does today in most places. Also, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent, adult Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat. During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed