What Rastafarians Cannot Eat According to the Ital Diet

December 19, 2025 •

5 min read

The Rastafarian livity, or way of life, is characterized by a deep connection to nature, and this is reflected most profoundly in their dietary practices, known as the Ital diet. Rastafarians view their bodies as temples, and the food they consume is considered vital for spiritual and physical purity.

Quick Summary

The Ital diet followed by Rastafarians restricts the consumption of dead animal flesh, processed foods, additives, and alcohol. This plant-based approach emphasizes natural, wholesome, and often organic foods to maintain purity and spiritual connection with Jah. Specific taboos include pork, shellfish, and excessive salt.

Key Points

No Meat or Shellfish: The majority of Rastafarians adhere to a vegetarian or vegan diet, abstaining from all meat, particularly pork, and shellfish like shrimp.
No Processed Foods: Canned goods, foods with artificial additives, preservatives, or colorings are avoided to maintain the body's natural purity.
Minimal Salt and Refined Sugar: Refined table salt is typically rejected, with natural herbs and sea salt used sparingly; refined sugars are also limited.
No Alcohol or Caffeine: Many Rastafarians avoid alcohol, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages, viewing them as substances that cloud the mind and reduce spiritual awareness.
Natural Cookware Preferred: Some stricter adherents avoid metal cooking utensils, especially aluminum, opting instead for natural materials like clay pots and wooden spoons.
Natural and Organic Emphasis: The core principle of Ital is consuming fresh, natural, and often organic foods to promote a healthy and spiritual 'Livity'.

Core Restrictions of the Ital Diet

At the heart of the Rastafarian livity is the Ital diet, a term derived from the English word 'vital'. This philosophy of eating is centered on the principle that the body is a sacred temple that should not be polluted by dead or artificial substances. While interpretations can vary between individuals and communities, there are several core restrictions that most adherents follow. The most fundamental of these is the prohibition of meat and processed foods, which are associated with the 'Babylonian' or materialistic system.

Meats and Animal Products

Most committed Rastafarians follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, avoiding all types of meat and animal products.

Pork: The consumption of pork is strictly forbidden for all Rastafarians, a practice rooted in Old Testament dietary laws, which consider pigs to be unclean animals.
Shellfish and Scavengers: Similar to the prohibition on pork, most shellfish are not permitted, as they are viewed as 'bottom feeders' that clean the sea and are therefore considered unclean.
Other Meats: Red meat and poultry are generally excluded from the Ital diet, as consuming 'dead flesh' is seen as contrary to the promotion of 'Livity,' or the vibrant life force within.
Dairy and Eggs: Strict followers of Ital also refrain from consuming dairy products like cow's milk and cheese, considering them unnatural for human consumption. Similarly, eggs are often avoided.

Processed Foods and Additives

Since the Ital diet prioritizes natural foods, it rejects anything that has been artificially modified or processed. This is a rejection of the industrial food system and its perceived impurities.

Excessive Salt and Spices: Refined table salt is generally avoided, though some may use natural sea salt in moderation. Herbs and spices are used instead to enhance flavor.
Refined Sugars and Flours: Processed or 'white' foods, including refined white flour and white sugar, are often limited or replaced with natural alternatives like raw sugar, molasses, or honey.
Canned and Preserved Foods: Canned goods and foods with artificial preservatives are generally not consumed, as they are not considered fresh or natural.

Culinary Tools and Beverages

Beyond the ingredients themselves, some Rastafarians extend their Ital principles to the cooking process and other forms of consumption.

Metal Cookware: The most rigorous interpretations of Ital discourage using metal cookware, particularly aluminum, as it is believed to leach toxins into the food. Instead, they prefer using natural clay pots or wooden utensils.
Alcohol and Caffeine: The consumption of alcohol is forbidden, as it is viewed as a substance that lowers consciousness. Caffeinated drinks like coffee and fizzy sodas are also often avoided.

Comparison of Rastafarian Ital vs. Common Veganism


Feature	Rastafarian Ital Diet	Modern Veganism
Primary Motivation	Spiritual purity, Livity, and reverence for nature based on Biblical interpretation.	Ethical concerns for animal welfare, environmental impact, and health benefits.
Processed Foods	Generally avoids all processed, canned, and artificial additives, viewing them as 'Babylonian'.	Often includes processed meat substitutes and vegan junk foods, depending on the individual.
Salt Restriction	Discourages refined table salt; some permit natural sea or kosher salt.	No specific restriction on salt content, though health-conscious vegans may reduce it.
Cooking Utensils	Stricter adherents may avoid metal pots and utensils, preferring clay or wood.	No specific restrictions on cookware materials.
Beverages	Forbids alcohol and discourages caffeine.	No specific dietary prohibitions on alcohol or caffeine.

The Philosophy Behind the Restrictions

The dietary restrictions of Rastafarians are not merely a set of rules but a manifestation of a comprehensive spiritual philosophy. The Ital diet represents a conscious effort to live in harmony with nature and to respect the body as a sacred vessel, a process they refer to as 'Livity'. By rejecting foods that are 'dead' or contaminated by the industrial practices of 'Babylon,' Rastafarians seek to maintain a state of higher consciousness and closer communion with their god, Jah. The emphasis on consuming fresh, locally grown produce is a testament to this reverence for the Earth and its natural cycles. For many, the diet is a form of resistance against a system they believe exploits both people and the planet.

The Role of Herbs and Natural Remedies

Herbs and natural remedies play a significant role in the Rastafarian lifestyle, often used for both flavoring food and for medicinal purposes. This tradition highlights a holistic approach to health that favors natural, plant-based healing over Western medicine. The emphasis on herbal teas and tonics demonstrates a deep-seated belief in the healing power of the earth.

A Personal and Varied Practice

It is crucial to remember that Rastafarian dietary practice is not monolithic. While the core principles are consistent, the degree to which an individual adheres to them can vary. For some, the Ital diet is a strict, vegan practice, while others might consume certain types of fish. The personal interpretation, or 'I and I' consciousness, allows for a flexible approach to the dietary laws, reflecting the individual's spiritual journey. A famous example is reggae artist Bob Marley, a committed Rastafarian vegetarian, whose diet avoided salt and meat. This flexibility does not diminish the central importance of the Ital principles, but rather shows the movement's focus on personal conviction and inner spiritual understanding. For a deeper dive into the origins and traditions of Ital cooking, some sources highlight its African and Indian roots in Jamaica.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what Rastafarians cannot eat is defined by the principles of the Ital diet, which prioritizes natural, wholesome living to maintain spiritual and physical purity. The rejection of meat, processed foods, artificial additives, and alcohol is a rejection of what is perceived as the corrupting influence of 'Babylon.' This dietary code is more than just a set of food taboos; it is a vital expression of the Rastafarian spiritual philosophy, emphasizing a profound connection to the Earth and a reverence for the life force, or Livity, within. While the specifics can vary by individual, the core message remains consistent: seek purity, reject the artificial, and nourish the body as a temple for Jah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Rastafarians avoid meat because the Ital diet considers consuming 'dead flesh' to be unnatural and spiritually impure. They see the body as a temple that should only be nourished by living, natural things, a practice called 'Livity'.

While the strictest interpretations of the Ital diet are vegan, individual practices vary. Many Rastafarians follow a plant-based diet, but some may include fish that have scales and are under a certain length.

Refined table salt is often restricted in the Ital diet because it is seen as an artificial additive that compromises the food's natural vitality. Many Rastafarians use fresh herbs, spices, and sometimes natural sea salt instead.

The Ital diet generally prohibits alcohol and discourages coffee and other caffeinated beverages. These substances are seen as damaging to spiritual and physical health, hindering a person's 'Livity'.

The term 'Ital' is derived from the word 'vital' and represents the Rastafarian philosophy of eating pure, natural, unprocessed, and vibrant foods. It emphasizes harmony with nature and promotes health and spiritual well-being.

Some stricter followers of the Ital diet avoid using metal cookware, especially aluminum, which they believe can contaminate food. They prefer using natural materials like clay pots and wooden utensils for cooking.

The degree of adherence to the Ital diet varies among Rastafarians. While many are strict vegetarians or vegans, others take a more liberal approach. The core principles of natural living guide the diet, but individual interpretation plays a significant role.