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How did religion influence the dietary restrictions of the Middle Ages?

Meg Skunes

Well, I'm no historian but I do know that religion had a huge impact on the dietary restrictions of the Middle Ages. Whether you were Christian, Jewish or Muslim, what you ate (or rather, what you didn't eat) was dictated by your religious beliefs.

Let's start with Christianity. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the dominant religious authority in Western Europe. They had strict rules about what could and couldn't be eaten, especially during fasting periods like Lent. Meat was usually off the menu during these times, as was dairy and eggs. Instead, people would eat fish and vegetables in order to observe these religious customs. Even when it wasn't a fasting period, there were still restrictions on meat consumption. For example, beef was considered a luxury and was often only eaten by the wealthy.

Judaism also had strict dietary laws, as outlined in the Hebrew Bible. These laws, known as kashrut, prohibit the consumption of certain animals and require animals to be killed in a specific way (known as shechita). For example, pork and shellfish are forbidden, as are eels and some types of fish. Animals that have died of natural causes or have been killed by other animals are also not allowed to be eaten. These dietary restrictions were not only a way of demonstrating faith, but also served as a way of preserving Jewish identity and culture.

Islam also has dietary laws, which are known as halal. Similar to kashrut, there are certain animals that are forbidden (pork, for example) and animals must be killed in a specific way. The consumption of alcohol is also prohibited. However, there are some exceptions to these rules in certain circumstances. For example, if a person is stranded without food, they are allowed to eat non-halal food in order to survive.

Overall, it's clear that religion had a significant impact on what people ate during the Middle Ages. These dietary restrictions were a way of demonstrating faith, preserving cultural identity and following religious laws. While some of these rules may seem strange to us now, they were an important part of daily life for people living during this period and continue to be observed by those of various faiths today.