Cultural Nutrition: What Culture Can't Eat Eggs?

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2023 review, the industrial egg industry kills billions of male chicks and confines hens in inhumane conditions annually, prompting many ethical vegetarians and vegans to avoid eggs. This highlights a modern reason, but historical religious and cultural mandates also dictate what culture can't eat eggs, from ancient belief systems to specific folk traditions.

Quick Summary

Several cultures and religions, including Jainism, certain sects of Hinduism and Buddhism, and some traditional communities in Africa and the Pacific, prohibit or limit egg consumption due to principles of non-violence, purity, or specific folk beliefs. Ethical and health concerns also motivate others to adopt an egg-free diet.

Key Points

Jainism's Non-Violence Principle: Jains strictly avoid all eggs, viewing them as potential life, aligning with their core principle of ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living creatures.
Hindu Dietary Diversity: Many Hindus, particularly lacto-vegetarians and those following specific spiritual beliefs, consider eggs non-vegetarian due to concerns over purity and spiritual impact.
Varied Buddhist Practices: While not universally prohibited, some strict Buddhist followers avoid eggs based on the potential for life, while others distinguish between fertilized and unfertilized eggs.
Ethical Vegan Objections: Modern ethical concerns about factory farming practices, such as the culling of male chicks and inhumane conditions for hens, are major motivators for vegans to avoid eggs.
Cultural and Superstitious Taboos: Some cultures, like those in parts of Nigeria and Uganda, have historically restricted egg consumption based on folklore and superstition, especially concerning women and children.
Practical Reasons for Avoidance: Nomadic lifestyles, like that of traditional Mongolians, lead to very low egg consumption because raising chickens is not practical.

Religious and Philosophical Foundations for Avoiding Eggs

The reasons behind avoiding eggs are as diverse as the cultures that practice them, rooted deeply in religious, ethical, and spiritual beliefs. For many, the decision is not based on nutrition alone but on a philosophy that guides their entire way of life. These convictions can range from interpretations of sacred texts to ancient traditions passed down through generations.

Jainism: The Principle of Ahimsa

Jainism, an ancient religion from India, is built on the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, towards all living beings. This commitment to non-harm extends beyond humans and large animals to include all forms of life, including microscopic organisms. According to Jain belief, eggs, whether fertilized or not, represent potential life, and consuming them is therefore an act of violence against a living being. Strict Jains also avoid root vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, and garlic, because harvesting them can harm the small creatures living in the soil and kill the plant entirely. This unwavering dedication to minimizing harm makes egg consumption incompatible with Jain doctrine.

Hinduism: A Spectrum of Practices

Within Hinduism, views on egg consumption vary significantly depending on sect, caste, and personal interpretation, but many strictly avoid them. For many lacto-vegetarians in India, who consume dairy but no meat, fish, or eggs, eggs are considered non-vegetarian and impure. This is often tied to the concept of food purity, where certain foods are classified based on their effect on the body and mind. Eggs might be considered rajasic (stimulating) or tamasic (dulling), which could disrupt spiritual progress for those adhering to a satvic (pure, calming) diet. However, it's important to note that Hinduism is not monolithic, and some Hindus, particularly in modern, urban areas, are “eggetarians,” meaning they eat eggs but no other meat. The decision ultimately relies on an individual's specific beliefs and customs.

Buddhism: Different Paths to Compassion

Buddhism does not have a single, universal rule on egg consumption, with practices differing among various schools and individual followers. The core principle of not killing is key. Some strict Buddhists refrain from eating eggs because they contain potential life. However, many followers reason that since modern, commercially produced eggs are unfertilized and cannot hatch, they do not violate the precept against taking life. Others, particularly in the Theravada tradition, may accept any food given to them as alms, including meat or eggs, as long as the animal was not specifically killed for their meal.

Cultural and Superstitious Reasons for Egg Avoidance

Beyond formal religious tenets, numerous cultures hold specific taboos or beliefs related to eggs. These practices, while not always part of a major religious doctrine, are deeply ingrained in social norms and traditions.

West Africa: In Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Jamaica, folklore suggests that pregnant women and children shouldn't eat eggs. Superstitions warn that the child will act like a chicken, or that eating 'half eggs' will turn children into thieves. In parts of Uganda, similar restrictions applied specifically to females.
Mongolian Nomadic Culture: For nomadic herders in Mongolia, the avoidance of eggs is not rooted in a religious taboo but in practicality. With a lifestyle centered on livestock that can be herded on horseback, chickens and their eggs are simply not a traditional or convenient part of the diet.

Modern and Ethical Considerations

The rise of industrial-scale food production has introduced a new dimension to the debate around egg consumption. Many people who adopt a vegan or ethical vegetarian diet do so not for religious reasons, but because of concerns about the cruelty and environmental impact of factory farming.

This includes objections to the following practices:

Male Chick Culling: The egg industry systematically culls millions of male chicks each year shortly after hatching, as they do not lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production.
Poor Living Conditions: Hens, even those in free-range operations, are often subjected to stressful and inhumane conditions to maximize egg production.
Genetic Manipulation: Modern hens have been genetically modified to produce hundreds of eggs per year, far more than their wild counterparts, leading to health issues and a shorter lifespan.

Comparison of Cultural/Religious Egg Avoidance


Culture/Group	Reason for Avoiding Eggs	Allows Dairy?	Considers Eggs Vegetarian?
Jainism	Principle of ahimsa (non-violence); eggs are considered potential life.	Yes	No
Lacto-Vegetarian Hindus	Traditional and religious purity; eggs viewed as non-vegetarian, rajasic or tamasic.	Yes	No
Some Buddhists	Strict adherence to non-killing, seeing eggs as potential life or due to ethical concerns.	Varies by sect	No
Ethical Vegans	Opposition to factory farming practices and animal exploitation.	No	No
Some African/Pacific Cultures	Superstitions regarding fertility, childbirth, or character development.	Typically Yes	Varies, often no

Meeting Nutritional Needs without Eggs

When eggs are excluded from a diet for any reason, it's important to replace the nutrients they provide. Eggs are a good source of protein, essential amino acids, Vitamin B12, and choline. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to ensure a well-balanced diet.

For protein, options include:

Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)
Tofu and other soy products
Nuts and seeds
Dairy products (if consumed)
Fortified cereals

In baking and cooking, common egg substitutes are:

Mashed banana or applesauce (adds moisture)
Ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with water (acts as a binder)
Aquafaba (whipped chickpea liquid) for meringues or foams
Commercial egg replacers (Ener-G Egg Replacer, Just Egg)
Chickpea flour for omelet-like dishes

Conclusion

Numerous cultures and individuals worldwide avoid eggs for a complex mix of religious, spiritual, ethical, and traditional reasons. While Jains strictly adhere to non-violence by abstaining from eggs as potential life, many Hindus view them as non-vegetarian and impure based on their spiritual principles. Certain Buddhist sects and ethical vegans choose to avoid eggs due to the suffering involved in industrial farming practices, and some indigenous communities have historical taboos or pragmatic reasons for their abstinence. Understanding these diverse motivations underscores that dietary choices are not merely about personal preference but are often profoundly linked to a person's core values and worldview. Regardless of the reason, a nutrient-rich and satisfying diet can be achieved with the right knowledge and alternatives. For more on ovo-vegetarianism and other diet types, see this comprehensive guide: Do Vegetarians Eat Eggs?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jains cannot eat eggs due to their strict principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. Eggs are considered potential life, and consuming them is seen as an act of harm against a living being, regardless of whether they are fertilized.

No, not all Hindus avoid eggs. While many lacto-vegetarians and upper-caste Hindus abstain, practices vary significantly by sect and personal interpretation. Some modern Hindus, known as 'eggetarians', eat eggs but no other meat.

Whether a Buddhist eats eggs depends on their specific sect and personal beliefs. While the precept of not killing is central, some followers believe commercially produced unfertilized eggs do not violate this, while stricter adherents may still avoid them.

An ovo-vegetarian is someone who avoids meat, fish, and dairy products but includes eggs in their diet. The term comes from the Latin word ovum, meaning egg.

Most commercially produced eggs sold in grocery stores are unfertilized. They come from hens that are not housed with roosters, so there is no potential for them to develop into a chick.

Ethical vegans avoid eggs not because of the potential for life in an individual egg, but due to objections to the cruel and inhumane practices of the modern egg industry, such as the culling of male chicks and the poor living conditions of hens.

Excellent egg substitutes for baking include ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with water, mashed banana or applesauce, and aquafaba (whipped chickpea liquid) for light and airy bakes.