The term Ital food is derived from the phrase "vital food" ¹. It is the diet of followers of the Rastafarianism sect. Ital food means it is natural, pure and clean food. Rastafarians (Rastas) see their food as a way to be one with nature and regard it as physically and spiritually beneficial. To them, food is more than just fuel for the body. It is nourishment for the soul as well as the heart. Rastas believe that eating pure foods makes a person purer. By eating only wholesome foods from the earth one lives in a purer state as one will be powered by divine fuel. They believe that acknowledging and being aware of what one eats is enlightening. The body is a temple for the spirit and food must provide balance to both the body and the spirit.

Although this diet is held as an ideal, it is not strictly followed by all Rastafarians. One common modification is to allow the consumption of fish. One thing which is never comprimised is the avoidance of pork and pork products.

Food restrictions

Rastas follow dietary laws are similar to the laws given in the Bible at Leviticus 11.

Ital food contains no artificial chemicals, no animal flesh (or juices), no fowl, no insects, no creeping creatures, no blood, no whites² and no alcohol. Cigarettes and drugs³ also forbidden.

Additives, preservatives, colourings and processed foods⁴ are avoided, and are only eaten if there is no other choice. Salt, white flour and white rice are not Ital as they are heavily processed, stripped of nutrients and artificially whitened. Rastafarians refrain from anything polluted with pesticides, or any type of packaged foods. A particular sect of Rastafarians, called the Nazerites, eat no grapes or fruits-of-the-vine, such as pumpkins or cucumbers.

Fish which are canibalistic are not ital and so fish longer than 30cm are avoided; since fish over that size are likely to have have fed on other fish. Shell fish or fish without scales are not eaten because they tend to be scavengers. Pork is especially condemned amongst Rastafarians. Contact with pigs and pork products is strictly forbidden.

Food Preparation

Preparation of food is as important as the ingredients to Rastafarians. As such, they use natural materials wherever possible. Synthetic plastics are avoided. Kitchens, therefore are made with wood and other natural materials. Food is cooked and served in clay, wood and iron ware or even in gourds.

Rastafarians regard cooking as a creative meditation. Every aspect of the preparation of the meal is considered sacred. The materials and ingredients used as well as the attitude and state of mind and heart of the individuals cooking are important. Rastafarians only dine on food prepared in a pure and clean state of mind. Individuals that are bleeding⁵ are considered unclean, so they can not participate in the preparation of a meal.

Suprisingly Tasty

Despite all the restrictions, Ital food is surpisingly tasty. That is because Italists will use an abundance of herbs and spices to give the foods a rich flavour. Some common foods used widely in Ital cooking are jackfruit, tamarind, soursop and sweetsop, cannabis sativa and mangoes. Cane sugar, ginger, cocoa and bananas. Breadfruit, otaheite apple, ackee and yam. These foods are readily available in the Caribbean where Rastafarianism originates. But in keeping with the spirit of Ital food, any organically grown, natural foods can be substituted.