
The Mormon diet, or foodways, is based on the religious and social practices of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Word of Wisdom, a revelation from God, outlines the kinds of food that provide good nutrition, including grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, meat, beans, and oils. Mormons are encouraged to eat in moderation, avoid unwholesome foods, and fast two meals on the first Sunday of each month. They are also prohibited from consuming alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foodways | Similar to other frontier cuisines |
| Foodways | Include food production, distribution, storage, and consumption |
| Diet | Not very different from other people's diets |
| Diet | Includes meat, but in smaller portions |
| Diet | Includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains |
| Diet | Includes milk products, beans, and oils |
| Diet | Does not include tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, or illegal drugs |
| Diet | Is balanced and nutritious |
| Diet | Does not include supplements |
| Diet | Is frugal |
| Diet | Includes fasting one or two meals once a month |
| Diet | Includes eating seasonal food |
| Diet | Includes eating foraged food |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Mormons are encouraged to fast two meals on the first Sunday of each month
- The Word of Wisdom prohibits Mormons from consuming alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco
- Mormons are advised to eat meat sparingly
- Mormons are told to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Monthly fasting by Mormons has been found to reduce the clogging of arteries by 40%

Mormons are encouraged to fast two meals on the first Sunday of each month
The Mormon diet, or "foodways", is based on the religious and social practices of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While there are some restrictions and guidelines, the Mormon diet is not vastly different from the general American diet.
The Word of Wisdom also outlines the types of food that are considered nutritious and beneficial for the body. It encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk products, meat, beans, and oils. These foods provide a range of essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. Mormons are advised to eat meat sparingly and only in times of need, such as famine or cold weather. They are also advised to consume alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco in moderation or avoid them entirely.
The Mormon approach to food and diet focuses on treating the body with respect and maintaining good health. They believe that their bodies are temples that house their spirits, and therefore, eating unwholesome foods is considered to defile the body. This belief encourages Mormons to make conscious choices about their diet and adopt a balanced approach to nutrition.
In summary, Mormons are encouraged to fast two meals on the first Sunday of each month as part of their religious practices. They also follow dietary guidelines outlined in the Word of Wisdom, which promotes a balanced and nutritious diet while discouraging excessive or unhealthy consumption.
Mountain Dew's Zero-Calorie Claim: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.99

The Word of Wisdom prohibits Mormons from consuming alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco
The Word of Wisdom, which is the Mormon health code, prohibits Mormons from consuming alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. This code is found in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which is a small book of scripture containing modern revelations, most of which are from the early church. The Word of Wisdom was revealed to Joseph Smith in the 1830s and is considered a complete health code that promotes healthy eating and treats the body with respect.
The Word of Wisdom advises Mormons to avoid hot drinks such as coffee and tea, and to only eat meat sparingly. It also tells members of the church to avoid illegal drugs and to focus on consuming nutritious foods from each of the six food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, meat and beans, and oils. These foods provide six kinds of nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water.
The Mormon diet is not very different from that of other Americans, and they do not have many food restrictions. They are allowed to eat meat and poultry but are advised to consume them in smaller portions. They are also encouraged to eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are staples of modern healthy eating.
The Word of Wisdom's restrictions on alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco began to be observed more closely in the 20th century. These restrictions are based on the Mormon belief that their bodies are sacred and that treating the body with respect is a way to show love and gratitude to God. The health code is considered a way to maintain a healthy body and avoid unwholesome foods that can defile it.
In addition to dietary guidelines, the Word of Wisdom also encourages members of the church to be prepared for natural disasters or financial hardship by saving money and storing reasonable amounts of food. This way, they can ensure they will always have enough to eat during tough times.
Neutrogena Rain Bath: A Healthy Glow with the HCG Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Mormons are advised to eat meat sparingly
The Mormon diet, or "foodways", is not vastly different from the general American diet. However, there are some key differences, and Mormons are advised to eat meat sparingly.
The Mormon health code, known as the Word of Wisdom, is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture. It was revealed to Joseph Smith in the 1830s and is considered to be a complete health code from God. The Word of Wisdom outlines the kinds of food that promote good nutrition, including drinking plenty of clean water and eating from six food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, meat and beans, and oils. These foods provide six kinds of nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water.
Mormons are also advised to avoid hot drinks such as coffee and tea, and to abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. These restrictions are in line with the Mormon belief that the body is sacred and a gift from God, and that treating the body with respect is a way to show gratitude for this gift.
Healthy Eating: Choosing the Right Diet for You
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Mormons are told to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains
The Mormon diet, or "foodways", is based on the Word of Wisdom, which is a set of dietary guidelines outlined in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. While the Word of Wisdom is often associated with restrictions on alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and illegal drugs, it also provides guidance on what Mormons should eat to maintain a healthy body.
Mormons are told to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as part of a balanced and nutritious diet. This aligns with modern understandings of healthy eating. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, while whole grains provide complex carbohydrates, which are a vital energy source.
In addition to these staples, Mormons are encouraged to consume milk products, beans, and oils. They are advised to eat meat sparingly, reserving it for times of famine, winter, and cold weather. This is in line with modern health teachings, which suggest that a diet rich in plant-based foods and moderate in animal-based foods is optimal for health and longevity.
The Mormon diet also emphasises the importance of seasonal and locally available foods. In the past, Mormon pioneers preserved and stored food for the winter, including drying large quantities of fruit, which they traded for flour or other goods. They also dried squash, pumpkin, and melon, and preserved fruit in molasses syrup. Today, Mormons are encouraged to be prepared for natural disasters or financial hardship by keeping a well-stocked pantry with non-perishable food items like canned goods and wheat.
By following these dietary guidelines, Mormons believe they are treating their bodies with respect and gratitude, as their faith teaches that the body is a gift from God and a temple for the spirit. This approach to food and health is based on the belief that maintaining a healthy body is a spiritual practice that demonstrates love and gratitude towards God.
Healthy Dieting: Best Breads for Toasting and Topping
You may want to see also

Monthly fasting by Mormons has been found to reduce the clogging of arteries by 40%
The Mormon health code, known as the Word of Wisdom, outlines the kinds of food that provide good nutrition. It advises eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are the staples of modern understanding of healthy eating. It also includes milk products, meat, beans, and oils. These foods contain six kinds of nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. The Word of Wisdom also tells members of the church to avoid hot drinks such as coffee and tea, and to consume alcohol and tobacco sparingly.
Monthly fasting is a significant practice for Mormons, who are encouraged to fast for two meals on the first Sunday of each month. A study by Intermountain Health Care found that this practice of monthly fasting reduces the clogging of arteries by 40%. This discovery adds to the growing evidence that Mormon dietary practices contribute to their unusually low death rates. A study of California Mormons by UCLA researchers James Enstrom and Lester Breslow reported lower mortality rates compared to other populations.
The Mormon approach to food and health is deeply rooted in their spiritual beliefs. They regard their bodies as temples that house their spirits and believe that treating the body with respect is a way to show gratitude to God for this gift. This belief aligns with their health code, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body. The Word of Wisdom, revealed to Joseph Smith in the 1830s, contains principles of modern health that were not widely known at the time.
Mormons are encouraged to eat in moderation, focusing on wholesome foods that promote growth and good health. They are advised to avoid extremes, such as malnutrition or anorexia on one end and overeating or obesity on the other. According to their beliefs, eating unwholesome foods defiles the body. The church teaches that a properly balanced diet usually provides proper nutrition without the need for dietary supplements.
In conclusion, the monthly fasting practice of Mormons has been scientifically linked to a significant reduction in artery clogging, further emphasizing the health benefits of their dietary guidelines. This discovery adds to the growing body of research highlighting the positive impact of Mormon dietary practices on overall health and longevity.
Vegetable Soup Diet: Calories and Nutrition Facts
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Mormon diet consists of grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, meat and beans, and oils. These foods contain six kinds of nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. The Mormon health code, known as the Word of Wisdom, prohibits the consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
Mormons are encouraged to avoid hot drinks such as coffee and tea. They also avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Food and drink should be clean and free from disease-causing germs, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Foods should be washed, peeled, cooked, boiled, or sanitized before eating.






















