Page 263 - Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice

C H A P T E R 1 0 Cultural and Religious Influences on Food and Nutrition 251

Pareve: dairy-free. tradition. Meat and poultry cannot be eaten for 30 minutes after dairy products have been
consumed. Margarine labeled pareve, nondairy creamers, and oils may be used with meats.
Fruits, vegetables, plain grains, pastas, plain legumes, and eggs are considered kosher and
can be eaten with either dairy or meat products.

Food preparation is prohibited on the Sabbath. Religious holidays are celebrated with
certain foods. For example, only unleavened bread is eaten during Passover, and a 24-hour
fast is observed on Yom Kippur.

Islam Muslims eat as a matter of faith and for good health. Basic guidance concerning food laws
is revealed in the Quran (the divine book) from Allah (the Creator) to Muhammad (the
Halal: Islamic dietary Prophet). For Muslims, health and food are considered acts of worship for which Allah
laws. must be thanked (ElGindy, 2005b). There are 11 generally accepted rules pertaining to
Haram: foods that are halal (permitted) and haram (prohibited) foods. Islam also stresses certain hygienic prac-
prohibited. tices, such as washing hands before and after eating and frequent teeth cleaning.

Hinduism A love of nature and desire to live a simple natural life are the basis of Hinduism (ElGindy,
2005a). A number of health beliefs and dietary practices stem from the idea of living in
Ahimsa: nonviolence harmony with nature and having mercy and respect for all of God’s creations. Generally,
as applicable to foods. Hindus avoid all foods that are believed to inhibit physical and spiritual development.
Eating meat is not explicitly prohibited, but many Hindus are vegetarian because they
adhere to the concept of ahimsa.

Another influential concept is that of purity. Some foods, such as dairy products (e.g.,
milk, yogurt, ghee [clarified butter]), are considered to enhance spiritual purity. When pre-
pared together, pure foods can improve the purity of unpure foods. Some foods, such as
beef or alcohol, are innately polluted and can never be made pure.

Jainism, a branch of Hinduism, also promotes the nonviolent doctrine of ahimsa.
Devout Jains are complete vegetarians and may avoid blood-colored foods (e.g., tomatoes)
and root vegetables (because harvesting them may cause the death of insects).

Buddhism

The Buddhist code of morality is set forth in the Five Moral Precepts, which are to not
(1) kill or harm living things; (2) steal; (3) engage in sexual misconduct; (4) lie; and
(5) consume intoxicants, such as alcohol, tobacco, or mind-altering drugs. Believing that
thoughtful food decisions can contribute to spiritual enlightenment, a Buddhist asks him-
self these questions (ElGindy, 2005c):

■ What food is this? This question evaluates the origin of the food and how it reached the
individual.

■ Where does it come from? This question considers the amount of work necessary to grow
the food, prepare it, cook it, and bring it to the table.

■ Why am I eating it? This question reflects on whether the individual deserves or is worthy
of the food.

■ When should I eat and benefit from this food? This question is based on the idea that
food is a necessity and a healing agent and people are subjected to illness without food.

■ How should I eat it? This question considers the premise that food is only received and
eaten for the purpose of realizing the proper way to reach enlightenment.