The Jewish Passover Meal: Nutritional Significance of Seder

The Jewish Passover Meal was eaten by the Israelite's before crossing into the promised land. It was a celebration after 40 years of fasting and wandering in the desert. It has great spiritual significance and marks passing from slavery to freedom. Let's look at the nutritional value of passover food.

The Jewish Passover meal instructions from God to Moses are, "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste...". This meal was to be eaten in a hurry before crossing into the Promised Land.

Seder Meal

Four cups of wine are consumed during the Seder meal and it's usually red wine, signifying blood. Wine has healthy heart benefits because of antioxidants, called flavonoids. They reduce the risk of coronary disease by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), increasing good cholesterol (HDL), and reducing blood clotting.

The skin of red grapes is found to have resveratrol, an anti-cancer and anti-aging compound. And, according to a 10-year study by Harvard Medical School, wine seems to reduce insulin resistance in diabetic patients.

The Seder meal starts with a glass of wine, which settles the stomach.

Next, vegetables dipped in salt water provide fiber so the rest of the meal moves well throughout the intestinal tract.

The rest of the passover foods are:

Unleavened bread which has no yeast. Many feel yeast should not be consumed since it's a fungi. Unleavened bread has a medium glycemic load and since vegetable fiber has already been consumed, absorption of sugar is further reduced.

The meat is to be roasted and should be goat or sheep meat. These have a low fat to protein ratio compared to other meats, like beef or venison. Additionally, goat and sheep fat is liquid at room temperature, unlike other meats, so it's easier to digest. Cooking meat allows it to be more easily broken down by the body for digestion.

Bitter herbs, such as horseradish, stimulate the digestive system which is good for a meal that can be eaten on the run.

Jewish Passover Meal

The Seder meal is simple, which is good for digestion, especially when breaking a fast. The rest of the elements aid digestion, reduce sugar absorption and provide healthy protein and fat for fortification. So, celebrate the significance and nutrition of the Jewish Passover Meal.

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Source:
Author's observations as a nutritional consultant.
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Disclaimer: Article intended for information only and not as replacement for medical guidance.

The Jewish Passover Meal: Nutritional Significance of Seder copyright 2010