Who Does Not Eat Garlic and Onions? Exploring the Reasons

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 6.1 million Jains worldwide abstain from consuming garlic, onions, and other root vegetables as a tenet of their religion. This practice, however, extends far beyond Jainism, with various religious, health-related, and personal reasons compelling different groups and individuals to avoid these popular ingredients.

Quick Summary

This article explores the diverse reasons people and specific religious groups, such as Jains and certain Hindus, do not eat garlic and onions. It examines religious doctrines, health concerns like IBS and allergies, and spiritual beliefs that influence this dietary restriction.

Key Points

Jain Dietary Restrictions: Followers of Jainism avoid garlic and onions based on the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), as harvesting these root vegetables kills the plant and many microorganisms.
Hindu Sattvic Diet: Certain Hindu traditions, especially those practicing a sattvic diet, avoid garlic and onions, which are considered rajasic and tamasic and believed to disturb spiritual and mental purity.
FODMAP Sensitivity: Many people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other digestive issues avoid these vegetables due to their high fructan content, which can cause bloating and other discomforts.
Allium Allergies: A small number of individuals have a rare but genuine immune system allergy to alliums, which can cause symptoms ranging from hives to anaphylaxis.
Spiritual and Ayurvedic Beliefs: Traditions like certain Buddhist sects, Taoism, and Ayurveda historically classified alliums as foods that negatively affect spiritual tranquility or bodily balance.
Health Recovery: Medical advice may recommend avoiding garlic and onions temporarily, such as during recovery from typhoid, to prevent intestinal inflammation.
Flavor Alternatives: Alternative flavorings like asafoetida, ginger, and fresh herbs are used in cooking by those who abstain from alliums, ensuring meals remain flavorful.

Religious and Spiritual Reasons for Avoiding Alliums

Many spiritual traditions have long-standing principles that guide dietary choices, often excluding pungent vegetables like garlic and onions. These practices are rooted in ancient texts and spiritual philosophies that associate food with its effect on the mind and body.

Jainism: Ahimsa and the Root Vegetable

Jainism's core principle is ahimsa or non-violence towards all living beings. This philosophy is the primary reason Jains avoid root vegetables, including garlic, onions, potatoes, and carrots. The process of uprooting the entire plant to harvest these vegetables is believed to harm not only the plant itself but also the countless microorganisms living in the soil around it. From a Jain perspective, this is a form of violence to be avoided for spiritual purification. Some interpretations also classify these foods as tamasic, a quality of darkness and lethargy that can disrupt meditation and spiritual focus.

Hinduism and the Sattvic Diet

In certain Hindu traditions, particularly for those following a sattvic diet, garlic and onions are considered rajasic and tamasic. According to Ayurvedic principles, foods are categorized into three gunas or qualities: sattva (goodness, purity), rajas (passion, restlessness), and tamas (ignorance, lethargy). Followers of the sattvic diet aim to eat foods that promote calmness, clarity, and well-being. Garlic and onions, with their pungent, stimulating properties, are thought to increase passion and aggression (rajas) or induce lethargy (tamas), disrupting spiritual balance.

Traditional Buddhist and Taoist Views

Some schools of Buddhism, particularly those emphasizing monastic life and meditation, also traditionally restrict garlic and onions. The pungent nature of these alliums is believed to disrupt spiritual focus and overstimulate the senses. In ancient Taoist philosophy, similar principles applied. The sage Tsang-Tsze described alliums as harmful to the five key organs and associated with negative effects like aggression and anxiety when consumed in large quantities.

Health-Related Reasons for Dietary Restrictions

Beyond religious and spiritual tenets, a significant number of individuals avoid garlic and onions for health reasons, ranging from allergies to digestive disorders.

Allium Intolerance and FODMAP Sensitivity

One of the most common health-related reasons is allium intolerance, particularly related to FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols). Onions and garlic are high in fructans, a type of oligosaccharide that can be difficult for some people to digest. For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), consuming these foods can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Following a low-FODMAP diet often requires strict avoidance of these ingredients.

Allium Allergies

While less common than intolerance, some people have a genuine allium allergy, which is an immune system response to the proteins in garlic and onions. Symptoms can appear quickly and may include hives, swelling, nausea, or even anaphylaxis in severe cases. Cross-reactivity is common, meaning an allergy to one allium, like garlic, can cause a reaction to others, such as onions and leeks. In some instances, even handling or inhaling the vapors of raw alliums can trigger symptoms.

Other Medical Conditions

In certain medical situations, such as recovering from typhoid fever, doctors may advise avoiding strong-flavored foods like garlic and onions. These ingredients can aggravate intestinal inflammation during the recovery process, and a milder diet is recommended to aid digestion.

Comparison of Reasons for Avoiding Garlic and Onions


Reason	Primary Motivation	Core Principle	Example
Jainism	Religious/Spiritual	Non-violence (ahimsa); Avoiding harm to microscopic life.	Upstanding root vegetables is considered violence against countless organisms.
Hinduism (Sattvic)	Religious/Spiritual	Mind-body balance; Fostering calmness (sattva).	Alliums are considered rajasic and tamasic, stimulating passion and ignorance.
FODMAP Sensitivity	Health	Managing digestive symptoms (IBS) caused by fructans.	Digestive discomfort such as bloating and gas triggered by hard-to-digest compounds.
Allium Allergy	Health	Immune system protection; Avoiding an allergic reaction.	The body reacts to proteins in alliums, causing hives, swelling, or other symptoms.
Other Health Issues	Medical Advice	Minimizing inflammation or digestive stress during recovery.	Avoiding during recovery from typhoid to prevent intestinal irritation.

Alternative Flavorings for Allium-Free Cooking

For those who do not eat garlic and onions, a wide array of alternative ingredients can provide flavor and depth to a dish. Here are some popular substitutions:

Asafoetida (Hing): A resin with a pungent, onion-like flavor when cooked. It is widely used in Jain and sattvic cooking.
Ginger: Adds a spicy, aromatic heat.
Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, basil, and thyme can elevate a dish's complexity.
Spices: Cumin seeds, coriander, and mustard seeds provide warm, earthy notes.
Infused Oils: For those with fructan sensitivity, garlic- or onion-infused oils are often tolerated because the fructans are not oil-soluble, leaving behind only the flavor.

Conclusion

The decision to avoid garlic and onions is influenced by a complex blend of ancient religious practices, modern health considerations, and personal preference. From the deep-seated spiritual beliefs of Jains and certain Hindus to the very real physiological reactions of individuals with FODMAP intolerance or allium allergies, the reasons are as varied as the people who observe them. As awareness of diverse dietary needs grows, so does the availability of allium-free recipes and ingredients, proving that a flavorful and satisfying meal is always possible, regardless of one’s dietary restrictions.

For further details on food intolerance and allergy management, consider consulting authoritative health resources such as Anaphylaxis UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jains do not eat garlic, onions, and other root vegetables to uphold the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. Harvesting these vegetables requires uprooting the plant and is believed to kill many microorganisms living in the soil.

In some Hindu traditions, particularly those adhering to a sattvic diet, garlic and onions are categorized as rajasic and tamasic foods. These are believed to stimulate passion, aggression, and lethargy, which can interfere with spiritual practices and mental clarity.

Yes, many people have an intolerance, often related to FODMAPs. Onions and garlic are high in fructans, which are carbohydrates that can cause bloating, gas, and stomach pain in individuals with sensitive digestive systems or conditions like IBS.

No, an allium allergy is a rare immune system reaction, whereas an intolerance is a digestive system issue. An allergy can cause more severe symptoms like hives or swelling, while intolerance primarily affects digestion.

Effective substitutes include asafoetida (hing), ginger, and fresh herbs like parsley or chives. For those with FODMAP sensitivity, garlic-infused oil can be used for flavor without the fructans.

No, not all Buddhists have this restriction. The practice is more common in certain monastic traditions that believe these pungent vegetables can overstimulate the senses and interfere with spiritual tranquility.

In some Hindu fasting traditions, especially during periods like Navratri, individuals avoid garlic and onions to maintain a pure, sattvic diet that is believed to promote spiritual connection and devotion.

Cooking can sometimes reduce the digestive effects of onions and garlic, as heat can alter the compounds. However, for those with a strong sensitivity or allergy, avoidance is still necessary.