What Are the Rules and Foods of Eating on a Kosher Diet?

In Hebrew, the word "kosher" translates to "fit," describing the foods that fit into this diet. Kosher diet includes meat and dairy, but they cannot be eaten together and they need to be prepared according to certain instructions.

Following a kosher diet is an important part of daily life for many Orthodox Jews. A kosher diet consists of following a set of dietary laws that are based on texts from the Bible. In recent years, the idea of following a kosher diet has spread around the world. Here’s what you need to know about what you can and can’t eat while following a kosher diet.

In Hebrew, the word “kosher” translates to “fit,” describing the foods that fit into this diet. “Kashrut” is another Hebrew word that has a similar meaning, “proper” or “correct.” Kashrut is the Jewish body of law that describes not only the foods that are kosher but also the way in which the foods must be prepared. Kosher foods are in line with kashrut law, and sometimes the term “kosher” can be used to describe ritual objects that were made in compliance with Jewish laws. Foods that aren’t kosher are “treif,” which means "torn".

Kashrut is based on specific parts of the Bible. Rabbis and scholars have studied and interpreted these laws for thousands of years and then applied them to modern times. Kosher laws are quite detailed and complex, so it can be complicated to know which products are kosher and which aren’t. In the past, most foods and meals were prepared at home, so it was easy to have oversight when it came to ingredients and preparation methods. Today, some foods are labeled as kosher to make it easier for shoppers to know what they’re buying.

An important part of the kosher diet is knowing which foods are permissible and which aren’t.

Animals. In Leviticus Chapter 11 in the Bible, the text says that the only kosher animals are those that have cloven hooves and chew the cud. This means that you can eat meat from:

• Cows
• Sheep
• Deer
• Goats 
• Bison 

Even though pigs have cloven hooves, they don’t chew the cud, so eating products like ham or pork is forbidden for orthodox Jews.

Poultry. Birds of prey are not kosher, but birds like chicken, turkey, and duck are permitted.

Fish and seafood. Only certain types of fish are kosher. Those that have scales and fins that can be removed before eating are allowed. This includes fish like salmon, cod, and tuna but excludes catfish and sturgeon. Shellfish of any kind is not kosher.

Dairy. Orthodox Jews can consume milk from any kosher animal and eat dairy products made with milk from kosher animals.

Pareve. Foods that aren’t meat or dairy, like eggs, grains, and fresh produce, are all pareve. These foods can be eaten together or with meat or dairy. While fish are considered pareve, the Talmud, a Jewish religious text, says that this food group can’t be eaten with meat due to health concerns.

Forbidden foods. There are several foods or ingredients that aren’t kosher, like:

• Blood
• Casein
• Edible fats and oils, including fish oil
• Lard and shortening
• Wine, wine vinegar, and brandy
• Rennet in cheeses
• Insects in fruits and vegetables
• Glycerin and glycerol 
• Gelatin 

Another key point in the kosher diet is how food is prepared. Animals must be slaughtered quickly using a very sharp knife, as this is seen as more humane. All meat processing must be done according to Jewish law and under Rabbinical supervision. These laws are so strict and specific that most kosher butchers are so clean and sanitary that they are often exempt from USDA regulations.

Certain parts of animals are not deemed fit for cooking, and those that are must follow certain steps of preparation before and during cooking. After slaughter, a certified kosher inspector then looks at the animal’s internal organs for any signs that the animal might not be kosher. Special attention is given to the lungs to make sure that they’re not punctured.

Meat and dairy products can never be mixed together and must be cooked using different plates and utensils. Once prepared, a certain waiting period needs to be observed between eating from these food groups.

While cooking, careful steps are taken to make sure that nonkosher ingredients aren’t used in the same pots or pans as kosher ingredients. If traces of a nonkosher ingredient are transferred to a portion of kosher food, just by the touching of utensils or plates, the food is no longer kosher. Many commercially prepared foods now have a “U” on the label to mark that they're certified kosher. A “D” on dairy products means that they were prepared far away from any meat products and are safe to eat as part of a kosher diet.

People following a kosher diet may not eat bread or cooked foods that were made by a non-Jewish person. They are also not allowed to drink wine that isn’t kosher, even if it’s made using kosher ingredients.

Following a kosher diet can have several health benefits. One is that the kashrut laws limit how much you can eat at one meal. Many Americans eat too many calories during mealtimes and sometimes overindulge when it comes to salt, sugar, and fat. Kosher meals cut back on portion sizes and help to limit eating too much of these substances.

Because kosher foods have to go through a strict process when it comes to preparation and selection, you know that you’re eating foods that are prepared with high-quality ingredients. This is especially helpful for vegans or vegetarians since any products that are labeled “pareve” were prepared far away from meat or dairy products.

While Orthodox Jews follow a kosher diet, this diet has grown in popularity with non-Jews since the 1990s. People see kosher products as cleaner and healthier and produced without certain ingredients that could be allergens, like dairy or shellfish.