Healthy And Affordable Kosher Dinners
Dietary laws were devised as a way to protect religious people from dangerous foods. The kosher diet is based on an ancient body of rules and regulations that identify which foods are fit and proper for observant Jews to consume. In Hebrew, these laws are known collectively as Kashrut, or kosher in English. A list of some of these foods can be found in the book of Leviticus. The diet not only specifies which food can or cannot be eaten, it also describes how these dishes must be prepared and served.
If an animal was not killed or slaughtered in the ritually prescribed way, it may not pass muster under kosher law. It is also unacceptable to consume certain foods at the same time, such as milk and certain kinds of eggs. Following a kosher diet requires a great amount of discipline and attention to detail. It is surprisingly then that the kosher foods are the fastest growing ethnic cuisine in the United States!
According to a recent report, kosher food sales increased by more than 41 percent from 2003 to 2010. Even more surprisingly, this multi-billion-dollar industry is just as popular with gentiles as it is with Jews! How could this be? Well, it isn't for religious reasons, obviously. Most non-Jews who buy kosher foods do so because they are convinced that these foods are safer and healthier than standard supermarket fare.
Are they right?
As they say in the retail industry, the customer is always right. And most customers believe that kosher products are not only safer, they also say they are more consistent in taste. Simple stable items like kosher chicken broth and wine are top sellers at most supermarkets, as are kosher dinners. Many of the leading kosher food companies have responded to the recent increase in demand by expanding their product lines. Low fat kosher entrees can be found at most grocery stores.
Although kosher food restrictions were devised for religious reasons, most folks believe the end result is safer and healthier foods. The evidence for this assumption is lacking, however, it stands to reason that greater scrutiny and emphasis on food safety would naturally result in healthier foods. Kosher dinners are generally produced more slowly than the standard fare, which often involves more processing, preparation, and inspection. It is also important to note that all kosher dairy products are processed separately from meat products, which reduces the likelihood of cross-contamination.
Few studies have been done on the subject. But we do know that most Kosher dinners that contain meat are thoroughly salted, which makes them less likely to contain food poisoning bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Kosher diets are also a safe and effective option for people who suffer from dangerous food allergies. Because they are prepared with more care, there is very little risk that kosher products will contain unlisted ingredients.
In recent years, kosher products have become increasingly popular with vegans and vegetarians. Kosher dinners and food items that are labeled ""pareve"" do not contain a trace of meat or milk. Just as they do with their mainstream products, kosher food companies are meticulous when it comes to how these items are prepared. At the end of the day, the best reason to follow a kosher diet (other than a religious one) is that you can control exactly what's in your food!
If an animal was not killed or slaughtered in the ritually prescribed way, it may not pass muster under kosher law. It is also unacceptable to consume certain foods at the same time, such as milk and certain kinds of eggs. Following a kosher diet requires a great amount of discipline and attention to detail. It is surprisingly then that the kosher foods are the fastest growing ethnic cuisine in the United States!
According to a recent report, kosher food sales increased by more than 41 percent from 2003 to 2010. Even more surprisingly, this multi-billion-dollar industry is just as popular with gentiles as it is with Jews! How could this be? Well, it isn't for religious reasons, obviously. Most non-Jews who buy kosher foods do so because they are convinced that these foods are safer and healthier than standard supermarket fare.
Are they right?
As they say in the retail industry, the customer is always right. And most customers believe that kosher products are not only safer, they also say they are more consistent in taste. Simple stable items like kosher chicken broth and wine are top sellers at most supermarkets, as are kosher dinners. Many of the leading kosher food companies have responded to the recent increase in demand by expanding their product lines. Low fat kosher entrees can be found at most grocery stores.
Although kosher food restrictions were devised for religious reasons, most folks believe the end result is safer and healthier foods. The evidence for this assumption is lacking, however, it stands to reason that greater scrutiny and emphasis on food safety would naturally result in healthier foods. Kosher dinners are generally produced more slowly than the standard fare, which often involves more processing, preparation, and inspection. It is also important to note that all kosher dairy products are processed separately from meat products, which reduces the likelihood of cross-contamination.
Few studies have been done on the subject. But we do know that most Kosher dinners that contain meat are thoroughly salted, which makes them less likely to contain food poisoning bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Kosher diets are also a safe and effective option for people who suffer from dangerous food allergies. Because they are prepared with more care, there is very little risk that kosher products will contain unlisted ingredients.
In recent years, kosher products have become increasingly popular with vegans and vegetarians. Kosher dinners and food items that are labeled ""pareve"" do not contain a trace of meat or milk. Just as they do with their mainstream products, kosher food companies are meticulous when it comes to how these items are prepared. At the end of the day, the best reason to follow a kosher diet (other than a religious one) is that you can control exactly what's in your food!
