Special Dietary Requirements

Vegeterian Diet

What is a vegetarian diet?

The simplest definition of a vegetarian diet is a diet free of meat, fish, and fowl flesh. The eating habits of vegetarians widely vary based on a number of factors. At one end are lacto-ovo vegetarians who at all costs avoid animal flesh but eat eggs and milk products. On the other end are vegans, who forego eating (and often wearing) all animal-based products, honey included. Raw foodists are vegans who eat mainly raw fruits, vegetables, legumes, sprouts, and nuts.

There are also pescatarians, vegetarians who eat fish and seafood, and lacto-vegetarians, who eat dairy products but not eggs. Another group are the Fruitarians who follow a diet that includes fruits, nuts, seeds, and other plant food. Those who follow a macrobotic diet eat mostly grains but can also eat fish. But they don’t necessarily identify themselves as vegetarians.

Vegan Diet

What is a vegan diet?

Vegans, in addition to being vegetarian, do not consume or use other animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products.

Most people choose to be vegan for health, environmental, and/or ethical reasons. For example, some vegans feel that by consuming eggs and dairy products one promotes the meat industry. That is, once dairy cows or egg-laying chickens are too old to be productive, they are often sold as meat; and since male calves don’t produce milk, they are usually raised for veal or other products. Some people avoid these items because of conditions associated with their production.

Many people choose the vegan lifestyle to promote a more humane and caring world. They believe they have a responsibility to the animal kingdom, and try to do their best, while not being judgmental of others.

Lactose Intolerance Diet

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the bodies inability to digest and absorb lactose (the sugar in milk) that results in gastrointestinal symptoms when milk or food products containing milk are consumed.

What is lactose?

Lactose is a large sugar molecule that is made up of glucose and galactose (two smaller sugars). In order for lactose to be absorbed from the intestine and into the body, it must first be split into glucose and galactose. The glucose and galactose are then absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine. The lactase is the enzyme that splits lactose into glucose and galactose, which is found on the surface of the cells lining the small intestine.

Lactose intolerance is caused by reduced or absent activity of lactase that prevents the splitting of lactose (lactase deficiency). Lactase deficiency may occur for one of three reasons, congenital, secondary or developmental.

Gluten Free Diet

What is a Gluten Free Diet

A gluten-free diet excludes foods containing gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale. It is used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often as “dextrin”. A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease, the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis, and wheat allergy.

Additionally, a gluten-free diet may exclude oats. Medical practitioners are divided on whether oats are an allergen to celiac disease sufferers, or if they are cross-contaminated in milling facilities by other allergens.

The term gluten-free is generally used to indicate a supposed harmless level of gluten rather than a complete absence. The exact level at which gluten is harmless is uncertain and controversial. A recent systematic review tentatively concluded that consumption of less than 10 mg of gluten per day is unlikely to cause histological abnormalities, although it noted that few reliable studies had been done. Regulation of the label gluten-free varies widely by country. In the United States, the FDA issued regulations in 2007 limiting the use of “gluten-free” in food products to those with less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten. The current international Codex Alimentarius standard allows for 20 ppm of gluten in so-called “gluten-free” foods.

Religious Diets

What is a religious diet?
At Korma Sutra, we offer and can customize menu options based on religious beliefs and followings. A religious diet will typically have restrictions due to regional religious beliefs. We cater to the needs of many of the following religious faiths:

Buddhism | Hinduism | Jainism | Sikhism

Buddhism

Buddhists, like Hindus, believe in reincarnation and that the soul may at some point inhabit an animal. Thus, they abstain from killing living creatures. Buddhism also calls for a constant awareness of the body and mind, and it is thought that alcohol dulls this focus, and increases the possibility of negative karma while under its influence.

The Buddha exhorted followers to stay away from the “five pungent spices” – onions, garlic, scallions, chives and leeks – as cooked, they are said to intensify sexual desire, and raw, increase anger.

This flows from the Buddha’s “Five Contemplations While Eating,” in which followers ask themselves,

1. What food is this?.
2. Where does it come from?
3. Why am I eating it?
4. When should I eat and benefit from this food?
5. How should I eat it?

Hinduism

Hindu beliefs emphasize the importance of living in harmony with nature, and having mercy, respect and compassion for all creatures. Contrary to popular belief, Hindu do not worship cows, nor are they considered sacred by all Hindus. They are, however, “Aghanya” that which may not be slaughtered.

Hindus divide food into three categories, based on how they enhance or hinder physical and spiritual development.

1. Tamasic foods are considered heavy, dull and depressive and include meat, heavy cheese, onions, garlic, and mushrooms among others. The category also includes old and stale food.

2. Rajasic foods are hot, spicy and salty and said to irritate and stimulate, often to a state of high agitation, anger and hate.

3. Sattvic foods, like many fruits, fresh yogurt and leafy greens, are supposed to bring clarity and perception and help unfold love and compassion in the consumer.

Jainism

Vegetarianism is a way of life for Jains, who practice nonviolence and peaceful, cooperative coexistence with all living beings. Roots and some fruits are seen as containing more living beings than other, owing to the environment in which they develop, so their consumption is excluded. Most dairy, other than butter, is permitted. Some Jains avoid eating after sunset or before sunrise to avoid harm to insects that appear after dark.

Sikhism

Sikhs are expected to be active and alert, and alcohol consumption is counterproductive. They do not believe in ritual halal or kosher slaughter as they do not consider it to ennoble the flesh. Rather, Sikhs practice “jhatka,” which severs the animal’s head with a single blow, causing the minimum amount of suffering. There is no implied sacrifice or ritual.

Medical Diets

Why should one practice and follow a medically prescribed diet?

Medically prescribed diets are typically the result of a health issue diagnosed by ones doctor. The health issue is usually the result of an imbalance of certain dietary intake. We at Korma Sutra have catered to the needs of medically prescribed diets not only for our clients requiring contract catering for a period of time as prescribed our clients doctor. But we also cater to the unique and specific needs of our guest.

We often come across guests that have medically prescribed diets, and upon reviewing our menu, will inform their server of their dietary requirements. We understand the need of our guest to be able to adhere to a strict diet to aid rapid recovery from surgical procedure, to recovery or controlling certain ailments like kidney stones, migraines, diabetes to mention a few.

If you need to consult with us on your specific needs, please not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.