Jains are principally followers of Mahaveer Jain and their diet is one of the strictest diets among vegan diets. Their beliefs of non-violence are very extreme. And so they discard the use of any animal products along with all those products that could possibly hurt a living being.
In fact, if you talk with a strict Jain they will tell you they will exclude common root vegetables like potatoes, onions and carrots from their diet. The reason for this is that it grows under the earth and has to be completely uprooted before they can be served. The uprooting of the vegetables means they have to die completely which is utterly unacceptable to the Jains.
The question in anyone’s mind, seeing such a scenario would be – is vegan Jain diet healthy? Well yes it is healthy because the nutrition we see lacking in there is compensated by other sources which are not obtained by hunting a life. And here few of the food sources consumed by Jains without sacrificing their belief.
Soyabean In Place Of Milk And Milk Products
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Jains don’t consume cow’s milk because of the way they are treated and also because inhuman ways are used to extract milk from them. So the deficient of calcium and proteins is compensated by consuming soybeans and like protein sources.
Soy milk is not only healthy it also very nutritious and tofu can be used in place of paneer. Besides the Jains eat everything fresh as decaying food or food kept overnight is not befitting for consumption. This makes their food not just healthy but extremely fresh.
Pulses Replace Meat
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Jains shun meat, egg or fish for obvious reason of hurting life. The egg is also never touched as it is non-vegetarian and there is life inside an egg. So to replace it there are abundant pulses like various kidney beans, salubrious lentils and grams. They are made in various combinations to fulfill the requirement of proteins in a Jain diet.
The Wholesome Cereals
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The cereals haven’t been explored sufficiently but they are also a great source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, oils, and protein. Jains’ vegan diet does include cereals to get nourished along with also getting dietary fibres.
Seeds Are Superfoods
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There exuberant list of seeds that is used in Jain cooking which makes it healthy. Seeds are counted as superfoods which includes seeds like chia seeds, flaxseed etc. Seeds are nutritional powerhouses as even a small amount is packed with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients.
Simple Way Of Cooking
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Jain food is considered one of the healthiest foods on earth because it cooked in a very simple way and it is very non-fattening. No excess spices, no excess use of oil makes it very light. The simple way of cooking ensures that it is digested well. And most Jains eat food before sunset which means the food digested completed before they sleep.
All these reasons make vegan Jain food extremely healthy. Anyone who is in a notion that their food lacks anyway in nutrition should have got all their answers. A Jain food brings calm, peace and positive vibes to living and is nourishing in every way.
Read Also: There’s A Difference Between Being Vegan And Being Vegetarian
