The Jain diet is based on nonviolence and aims to minimize violence towards living beings. Jains do not consume animal ingredients which involve the killing of a life, such as meat, fish, eggs, and honey. Gelatin and other animal byproducts are also strictly prohibited since they are not vegetarian. Root vegetables, such as potato, garlic, and onion, are excluded to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms, and to prevent the entire plant from getting uprooted and killed. Dairy products are generally allowed, but some Jains have opted for a vegan diet due to the industrialization of milk production. The Jain diet emphasizes healthy lifestyle and diet for health promotion and prevention of diseases.
Here are some positive aspects of the Jain diet:
- It promotes nonviolence towards living beings.
- It encourages creativity in combining ingredients to create savory solutions.
- It emphasizes healthy lifestyle and diet for health promotion and prevention of diseases.
Here are some negative aspects of the Jain diet:
- It excludes certain foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and root vegetables, which may limit the variety of food choices.
- It may require more effort to plan and prepare meals to ensure that they are in line with Jain dietary restrictions.
- It may be challenging to find Jain-friendly food options when eating out.