Leena Watts
There are many reasons why people follow special diets. Some people may need to follow a special diet due to a food allergy, digestive problem, or other ailment, while others may choose to follow a special diet to improve their health or lose weight. Special diets can also be prescribed as a form of therapy to treat an illness or condition. For example, people with Celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet, while those with lactose intolerance may need to eliminate or limit dairy. Religious and ideological beliefs also play a role in dietary choices, such as veganism, which excludes all animal products, or a kosher diet, which follows the dietary principles of Jewish law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical reasons | Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, food allergies, digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy |
| Religious reasons | Kosher, vegan |
| Ethical reasons | Cruelty to animals, environmental impact |
| Health reasons | Weight loss, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent/treat/manage chronic illnesses |
| Personal preference | Taste, convenience, lifestyle |
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What You'll Learn
Health and medical reasons
People may choose to follow special diets for a variety of health and medical reasons. Firstly, some individuals may have specific dietary requirements due to health conditions or illnesses. For example, those with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, must adhere to a gluten-free diet as the ingestion of gluten damages their small intestine. Similarly, people with lactose intolerance, a common digestive disorder, often need to reduce or eliminate dairy products from their diet to prevent unpleasant symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. Diabetics also need to be mindful of their sugar and
In addition, certain special diets are followed to prevent or manage diet-related chronic diseases. For instance, a lower-carbohydrate diet can help individuals with diabetes, while a low-fat or low-cholesterol diet may be beneficial for those with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. The ketogenic diet, which restricts carbs, is not only used for weight loss but has also been shown to aid people with epilepsy.
Moreover, special diets are often prescribed by medical professionals during a hospital stay or as a form of therapy. For instance, patients may be advised to follow a "soft foods" or "clear liquids" diet for nutritional reasons or to aid recovery. Elderly people may also have complex dietary requirements, needing smaller portions of soft, moist, and nutritionally dense foods that are easier to chew and swallow.
Lastly, some people choose to follow special diets for overall health reasons or to feel better physically. For example, vegan diets, which exclude all animal products, are often followed due to ethical concerns about the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, as well as potential health benefits. However, it is important to note that, for those who are healthy, special diets may not be necessary, and a focus on overall healthy eating patterns may be more beneficial in the long term.
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Religious reasons
Many people adhere to special diets for religious reasons. The extent to which individuals follow food-related prescriptions or proscriptions may depend on their religiosity – the degree to which they adhere to a set of religious beliefs. Some dietary habits may not have their origins in religious doctrines but are adhered to due to strongly held cultural or traditional beliefs common to the members of a religious group. For example, the Last Supper of Christianity was the traditional Passover Seder meal in Judaism, styled on the Greek symposium, where people reclined and communicated while eating.
Hinduism
Hindus generally avoid foods they believe hinder spiritual development, such as garlic and onion, and other foods that stimulate the senses. While eating meat is not prohibited, many Hindus avoid it. Eating beef is prohibited as cows are considered sacred, but dairy products from cows are acceptable and considered spiritually pure.
Buddhism
Buddhists' dietary practices vary. While many Buddhists are vegetarian, it is inaccurate to assume that all are. Whether a Buddhist is vegetarian depends on individual choice, the sect to which they belong, or the country they are from. For example, vegetarianism is rare among Tibetan and Japanese Buddhists.
Judaism
The kosher market is experiencing significant growth, with companies increasingly pursuing kosher certification to meet demand. Dairy products, for instance, must meet specific criteria to be certified kosher. Even trace amounts of dairy in a food product cause it to be designated as such. The prohibition of pork in Judaism falls into the category of habitual dietary proscriptions, although its nutritional effects are unknown.
Islam
Like Judaism, Islam prohibits the consumption of pork.
Sikhism
This religion does not have strict dietary laws, but there are guidelines for maintaining a simple and balanced diet. Sikhs are encouraged to avoid intoxicants, including tobacco and alcohol.
Seventh-Day Adventists
Followers of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church follow a strict lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, with no meat, fish, poultry, alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables form the base of their diet, and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and eggs are to be used sparingly.
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Moral and ethical beliefs
People may adopt special diets due to moral and ethical beliefs, such as ideological beliefs, religious reasons, or concerns about animal welfare. For instance, vegans and vegetarians may choose plant-based diets because they believe it is cruel to kill and eat animals or because they consider animal products unhealthy. Religious dietary restrictions, such as kosher diets in Judaism, are also influenced by moral and ethical beliefs.
Veganism, a strict form of vegetarianism that excludes all animal products, has gained popularity due to its perceived health benefits and lower environmental impact. However, some individuals find it too restrictive and opt for more flexible plant-based diets like flexitarianism or lacto-ovo vegetarianism, which allow for the consumption of dairy, eggs, or both.
Religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping special diets. For example, followers of kosher dietary principles in Judaism abide by specific rules regarding the consumption of meat, dairy, and fish. Meat must come from certain animals, such as cows, lambs, and goats, and it is prohibited to mix dairy and meat or consume blood.
In addition to religious and ethical considerations, some people adopt special diets to align with their personal values. For instance, they may choose to avoid certain foods or ingredients for health, environmental, or other ethical reasons. This could include reducing their consumption of highly processed foods, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diet, or limiting their intake of alcohol, refined sugar, and processed foods.
While special diets motivated by moral and ethical beliefs can be a personal choice, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes. This ensures that any special diet adopted is safe, nutritionally adequate, and tailored to the individual's specific needs and health status.
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Weight loss
Some people opt for more gradual weight-loss programs, such as Weight Watchers, which assigns point values to foods, allowing dieters to eat any food as long as they stay within their daily point limit. The Nutrisystem diet is another gradual weight-loss plan that provides low-calorie meals with specific ratios of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The Dukan Diet is a multi-step diet designed to facilitate short-term weight loss and then consolidate these losses to return to a more balanced long-term diet. The South Beach Diet, developed by a cardiologist, emphasizes choosing the right carbs and fats instead of eliminating them entirely.
It is worth noting that not everyone follows a special diet for weight loss. Some people may need to follow more restrictive diets due to health conditions, such as epilepsy, celiac disease, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, or irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, some individuals adopt special diets for ethical or religious reasons, such as veganism or vegetarianism.
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Personal preference
Religious beliefs also fall under personal preference and significantly shape dietary practices. For instance, those adhering to Jewish dietary laws follow a kosher diet, which entails specific guidelines regarding allowed animals, the prohibition of blood, and the separation of dairy and meat. Similarly, Muslims observe dietary restrictions during Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours and partaking in specific foods to break their fast.
Health and wellness are other critical aspects of personal preference in dietary choices. Some individuals may choose to eliminate or reduce their consumption of certain foods, such as dairy or gluten, to address allergies, intolerances, or digestive issues. For example, lactose intolerance, a common condition where the body struggles to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, can lead people to opt for dairy-free alternatives. Similarly, those with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, must avoid gluten-containing foods to prevent damage to their small intestine.
Beyond allergies and intolerances, some people adopt special diets to enhance their overall health and well-being. This may involve reducing highly processed foods, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, or experimenting with popular diets like the keto or paleo diet. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before embarking on a restrictive diet to ensure adequate nutrient intake and long-term success.
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Frequently asked questions
People follow special diets for a variety of reasons, including food allergies or sensitivities, religious practices, ideological beliefs, or health reasons.
Some examples of special diets followed for health reasons include:
- Weight loss or low-calorie diets
- Diabetes diets
- Low-carb diets
- Low-fat or low-cholesterol diets
- Ketogenic diets for people with epilepsy
- Gluten-free diets for people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance
According to a US government study, about one in six Americans reported eating a "special" diet on any given day during 2017-2018. This is an increase from about 14% in 2007-2008.
One example of a special diet followed for religious reasons is a kosher diet, which is followed by Jews according to Jewish law. A kosher diet centers around allowed animals, the prohibition of blood, and the separation of dairy and meat.
Yes, very low-calorie or fad diets can be hard to maintain and people may regain the weight. It is also important to work with a dietitian to ensure that important nutrients are not cut out of the diet entirely. Additionally, dieting may not lead to long-term success as it does not always produce behavior changes. Instead, it may be more effective to focus on overall eating patterns and adopt healthier habits.
