Ital
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2008-06-06T19:11:24Z
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{{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
'''Ital''' or '''I-tal''' is food approved of in the [[Rastafari movement]]. The word derives from the [[English language|English]] word ''vital'', with the initial syllable replaced by ''i''. This is done to many words in the [[Rastafari vocabulary]] to signify the unity of the speaker with all of nature.
Early adherents adopted the dietary laws of [[Leviticus]] and [[Deuteronomy]]. Though there are different interpretations of ital regarding specific foods, the general principle is that food should be natural, or pure, and from the earth. Rastas therefore avoid food which is chemically modified or contains artificial [[food additive|additives]] (e.g., [[food coloring|color]], [[flavouring]]s, and [[food preservation|preservative]]s). Some also avoid added [[salt]] in foods. In strict interpretations, foods that have been produced using chemicals such as pesticides and fertiliser are not considered ital.
In common with religions such as [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], and [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church|Ethiopian Christianity]], Rasta prohibits the eating of [[pork]]. Some Rastas also avoid eating [[shellfish]] because, in common with pigs, they are considered to be [[scavenger]]s. Most Rastas avoid the consumption of all [[red meat]], many do not eat [[fish]] or those fish over 12 inches in length, and some are strict [[vegetarianism|vegetarians]].
Stricter interpretations also avoid food that has been preserved by [[canning]] or [[drying]] and even prohibit the use of metal cooking utensils, something that [[Ayurvedic]] diet followers also avoid. Foodstuffs such as grass and other herbal remedies are permitted within this diet. In this case, only clay and wood cooking pots, [[crockery]], and cutlery are used. The few adherents of ital follow the strictest interpretation; some Rastas do not adhere to them at all.
== Medicine and drug usage ==
Rastafarians do not allow [[alcohol]], [[cigarettes]], or [[coffee]]. To them, these are drugs that cloud the mind. Rastas, however, do allow [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] because they believe it causes a strong prayerful state. Some Rastas do not believe in medicine, but many urbanized Rastas allow such practice.
== See also ==
* [[Halal]]
* [[Kashrut]]
* [[Vegetarianism]]
* [[Dietary laws]]
== External links ==
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20041016002852/http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/sulick.html Ital is Vital]
* [http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/ital_food.shtml Ital Food]
* Recipes for Ital [http://members.aol.com/PraizeJAH/drinks.html Drinks], [http://members.aol.com/PraizeJAH/Soups.html Soups], [http://members.aol.com/PraizeJAH/porridge.html Porridge], [http://members.aol.com/PraizeJAH/main_course.html Main Course Dishes] and [http://members.aol.com/PraizeJAH/bread_cake.html Breads & Cakes]
[[Category:Diets]]
[[Category:Rastafari]]
[[Category:Religion based diets]]
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