Traditional Religious Food Practices

Almost every culture has its own beliefs relating to food and the role that food plays in daily living. However, food practices vary even among denominations of the same beliefs. As a nurse, one should make it a priority to include cultural and religious considerations when assessing the patient's diet history and implementing interventions that require dietary changes. Research has shown that there are certain dietary similarities among the religions as well as differences when discussing:

1.Different regulations are under the three separate faiths in Christianity and Judaism.

2.'Halal' is the concept that surrounds the Islam and Sikhism religions.

3.Karma is a life philosophy involving the Buddhist and Hindu religions.

This review of the literature on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism focuses on these three concepts.

There are three separate faiths in Christianity and Judaism with different regulations.
There are various faiths of Christianity including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. The regulations are different for each faith. Communion is a tradition among this religion which is described as a ritual of the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholics fast at least one hour before communion. Fasting is defined as 'praying with the body, and overcoming sensations of the physical world'. Roman Catholics practice fasting and abstinence on special days called Lent, Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, in which they avoid all meats. Some Catholic and Orthodox Christians fast on Fridays or during Lent or other seasons during the Church year pertaining to spiritual rather than ethical reasons. Christians have learned that by denying food, one appreciates what one has and not by always receiving what one wants.

Mormons and Seventh-Day Adventists, (Denominations of the Protestants) have strict dietary laws. Mormon restrictions include, no caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, tea or tobacco and they usually fast once a month. The majority of Seventh Day Adventists are lacto-ovo vegetarians, and those who consume meat avoid pork. Many Adventists do not consume dairy products, alcohol or caffeine and also avoid strong condiments such as pepper and mustard.

Judaism can be considered Liberal or Orthodox, but in the United States there are three denominations, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. 'Kosher' means that a food is considered to be 'clean', while anything unclean (pork, crustaceans, shellfish and fishlike mammals) is strictly avoided. Orthodox Jews consume only kosher meat that has been prepared in the right way which includes being slaughtered according to ritual, soaked in water, salted and washed. Conservative Jews follow the dietary guidelines while at home, but on social occasions they adhere to a more liberal attitude to the restrictions. Reform Jews follow the main moral law, but may only choose to follow other guidelines, which describes the Jewish religion as varying their food practices widely. Milk and dairy products may be consumed, but not within one to six hours with the same meal or the same utensils that include any meat or poultry products.

'Halal' is the concept that surrounds the Islam and Sikhism religions.
The Islamic (Muslim) faith believes in certain regulations surrounding food called 'halal', and foods that are prohibited called 'haram'. They believe that the creator will ignore the person who consumes any haram foods. Some haram food selections are pork, alcohol, anything containing emulsifiers (animal fats), frozen vegetables with sauce, margarines, and bread or bread products containing dried yeast. Any caffeinated beverages are sometimes not to be consumed. Fasting is required during the month of Ramadan during sunlight hours and also during other religious dates such as Eid al Fitr, and the ninth day of Zul Hijjah.
The Sikhs do not believe in ritual killing and therefore do not eat meats such as halal and kosher. They refrain from alcohol and drugs because of mental and physical fitness reasons . Some Sikhs are vegetarians although pork is allowed for consumption. They are not required to fast but are encouraged to eat in moderation. They do not feast, but Sikh women that are living with Hindu men get involved to ensure their husband's health .
Karma is a life philosophy involving the Buddhist and Hindu religions.

The Hindu religion believes in avoiding all foods that may cause any harm to physical or spiritual development, and do not want any violence when it comes to animals. Animals are believed to have spiritual awareness, and if a Hindu consumes any animal flesh they receive the Karma of that act and needs to be balanced by good works and learning in this life or the next. Beef is forbidden, and pork is sometimes restricted or avoided. Hindus believe that foods contain energies that can be absorbed by the person who eats them, which explains why they go by the phrase, "You are what you eat". Food products such as alcohol, onions and garlic are thought to inhibit the Hindus quest for spiritual enlightenment and are therefore avoided. However, dairy products are considered to enhance one's spirituality. Pure products can actually help purify unpure foods when prepared together.

Most Buddhists are vegetarian because Buddha cycled through many animal forms before he became a human being. They also believe in the concept of Karma and that anything violent or painful inflicted on anyone will rebound on that person. Some Buddhists avoid meats and dairy products while others only avoid beef and consume fish.

By studying the dietary practices of each religion, one may be able to further understand the reasons those choices were made. Many of the religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism contain similar dietary guidelines as well as differences within their belief system. By researching the similarities and differences, one may be able to understand the different branches of each faith under each religion.