What can't Mormons eat? Understanding the Word of Wisdom

December 21, 2025 •

3 min read

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the Mormon Church, encourages a health code known as the Word of Wisdom, originally revealed in 1833, that has evolved over time. This revelation provides guidance not only on what to avoid but also on what is beneficial for a healthy life.

Quick Summary

Mormon dietary rules are based on the Word of Wisdom, which restricts alcohol, coffee, and tea while encouraging whole grains and limiting meat consumption. Members also abstain from tobacco and illicit drugs.

Key Points

Forbidden Beverages: Mormons cannot consume alcohol, coffee, or tea made from the tea plant (e.g., black, green).
Substances to Avoid: The Word of Wisdom prohibits tobacco use and the abuse of illicit or harmful substances.
Meat in Moderation: Members are advised to eat meat sparingly and to prioritize grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Holistic Health: The health code is not just about restrictions; it also encourages a balanced diet, exercise, and rest.
Obedience-Based: For active members, keeping the Word of Wisdom is a sign of obedience and is a requirement for temple worship.
Acceptable Drinks: Herbal teas and clean water are acceptable beverage choices.

The dietary practices of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormons) are governed by a health code known as the Word of Wisdom. This revelation, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 89, is more than just a list of prohibitions; it’s a guide for a healthy lifestyle. While the most well-known restrictions involve specific drinks, the code offers broader counsel on nutrition and moderation.

Prohibited Items According to the Word of Wisdom

The most definitive and universally followed aspects of the Word of Wisdom are the items members are commanded to abstain from. These prohibitions are key to maintaining full fellowship and being worthy to enter a temple.

Strong Drinks: Alcohol

All forms of alcoholic beverages are prohibited for Latter-day Saints. The scripture states, “And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies” (D&C 89:7). This abstention includes beer, wine, and hard liquor. While some exceptions or interpretations regarding cooking with alcohol may exist depending on individual or cultural practices, official guidance emphasizes avoiding consumption.

Hot Drinks: Coffee and Tea

Historically, the term "hot drinks" caused some confusion, but modern interpretation from Church leadership is clear: this refers specifically to coffee and tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. This means black, green, white, and matcha teas are all avoided. Herbal teas, which are not made from the tea plant, are acceptable. The temperature of the beverage is no longer the key factor, as some early members may have believed.

Tobacco and Harmful Substances

Tobacco use in any form—smoking, chewing, or vaping—is explicitly forbidden. Additionally, the Word of Wisdom is understood to include a broader proscription against illicit drug use and the abuse of prescription medications. Members are encouraged to live clean, healthy lives and avoid any substances that are destructive, habit-forming, or addictive.

Food Recommendations and Moderation

Beyond what is forbidden, the Word of Wisdom also provides positive counsel on how to eat healthily. It advocates for wholesome foods to be used with “prudence and thanksgiving”.

Grains as the Staff of Life: The revelation mentions grains, particularly wheat, as “the staff of life,” emphasizing their importance for human sustenance. Members are encouraged to include whole grains in their diet.
Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and wholesome herbs (vegetables) are to be used “with prudence and thanksgiving”. A diet rich in produce is a key part of the Word of Wisdom.
Meat Used Sparingly: The counsel states that meat should be eaten “sparingly” and primarily in times of famine, winter, or cold. This is a more flexible guideline, and interpretations of what constitutes “sparingly” can vary. Some members choose to be vegetarian, while others eat meat regularly but try to use it with moderation.

Comparison of Word of Wisdom Guidelines

The following table outlines the key aspects of the Word of Wisdom's dietary code:


Guideline Category	Forbidden Items	Encouraged Items	Moderation Advised
Drinks	Alcohol, Coffee, Tea (from tea plant)	Clean water, Herbal teas, Fruit juices	N/A
Foods	Tobacco, Illegal drugs	Wholesome herbs, Fruits, Grains	Meat and animal products
Other	Abusive use of substances	Exercise, Rest, Healthy lifestyle	Processed foods, Excess sugar

The Evolution of Interpretation

The Word of Wisdom has seen some interpretive evolution over time. In the early days of the Church, enforcement was less strict, and some pioneers continued to use substances like tobacco. Over time, leaders provided additional clarification, solidifying the interpretation of “hot drinks” as coffee and tea, and making adherence a requirement for temple recommends in the 20th century. While the core principles remain, the practical application often reflects modern understanding of health and nutrition, as well as the need for members to collectively identify through their obedience to the commandment.

Conclusion

The question of what Mormons can't eat is answered by the Word of Wisdom, which forbids alcohol, coffee, and tea, and strongly discourages tobacco and other harmful substances. However, the health code is not solely restrictive. It also provides positive guidance on maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains, and using meat sparingly. While interpretations can vary, the foundational principles emphasize physical and spiritual well-being through obedience to revealed counsel, with promises of blessings for those who follow its tenets. You can learn more about official Church teachings on healthy living at the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mormons abstain from coffee and tea because they are included in the Word of Wisdom's proscription against "hot drinks." The modern interpretation clarifies this to mean beverages derived from the coffee bean and the Camellia sinensis tea plant, regardless of serving temperature.

While consuming alcohol is forbidden, the use of small quantities of alcohol in cooking, such as for flavoring extracts or in baked goods where the alcohol is mostly cooked off, is often considered acceptable by many members. However, interpretations can vary, with some members choosing to avoid it entirely.

The Church has clarified that the Word of Wisdom does not prohibit the consumption of caffeine itself. Therefore, caffeinated soft drinks are generally considered acceptable, even though coffee and tea are not. This is a point of personal interpretation for some members, but not an official restriction.

The main prohibitions are focused on specific beverages and substances like alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. However, the code also advises using meat sparingly and warns against illegal and addictive drugs. While no other specific foods are forbidden, members are encouraged to eat wholesome, nutritious foods.

The Word of Wisdom recommends a diet rich in wholesome herbs (vegetables), fruits, and grains, especially wheat. These are seen as beneficial for the human body.

For active, temple-worthy members, the Word of Wisdom is a commandment. While initially presented as a 'greeting...not by commandment or constraint' in 1833, it was later emphasized as a more strictly followed law for those seeking full fellowship in the Church.

No, Mormons are not required to be vegetarian. The Word of Wisdom states that meat is ordained for human use but should be used "sparingly". This leaves room for personal interpretation, and while some members choose vegetarianism, most include meat in their diet with moderation in mind.