Kosher foods are among the best foods to eat. While Kosher foods are rooted in Judaism, non-Jewish people are increasingly indulging on them as well. Why? Quite simply, Kosher foods are often healthier, cleaner, and feature various other benefits that Kosher foods don’t.
So even if you don’t follow Judaism, you should consider trying out some kosher foods. Healthy, affordable, and varied, kosher foods can be a great part of anyone’s diet.
Pass on the Bugs
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Do you enjoy New York’s famous pizza? Next time you’re eating a slice, remember that the FDA allows up to 15 fruit fly eggs and one maggot per 100 grams of tomato sauce. Enjoy peanut butter? The FDA allows up to 136 insect fragments (i.e. a grasshopper leg) in a 16 ounce jar of peanut butter. Yum.
In order to be kosher, foods must follow much stricter hygiene rules than what the FDA stipulates. For example, Kosher rules strictly forbid the presence of most insects in food. At Holy Schnitzel, we take insect contamination so seriously that we use florescent lights to inspect our foods. (Don’t worry, because we work with the finest suppliers, we rarely find a problem.)
Clean is Good
It’s not just vermin that contaminate our foods these days either. Think about how much chemicals are used in agriculture. That’s why we wash our vegetables multiple times, using special vegetable soups that won’t pose a toxic risk like other soaps. These soaps will remove the not-so-kosher chemicals.
Ultimately, strict hygiene rules are big reason why people looking for clean food are increasingly turning to kosher foods. These strict hygiene rules, by the way, extend to equipment and the kitchen as well. Kosher foods must be prepared in a clean, kosher environment.
Ingredient Control is Often Tighter
Do you really know what’s going into your food? We’re not talking about just insect parts, but also additives and various other things. Many processed foods these days are Frankenstenian amalgamations of chemicals. With kosher foods, quality control and sanitation are strictly enforced.
In order for food to be certified as kosher, every single ingredient must meet the strict requirements set forward by the rabbi. The food must also be processed in a clean, kosher environment. This strict quality control is often much more stringent than what’s practiced by many food processing companies.
Kosher is Better for the Lactose Intolerant
Judaism forbids dairy and meat from mixing. For those who are lactose intolerant, this carries a major benefit. Many modern foods, including the popular processed foods at your local supermarket, gratuitously mix diary and meat. For the lactose intolerant, it can be hard to find dairy-free food.
If you’ve ever looked at the back of a food label, you’ve probably noticed that it’s an often a horror story list of chemicals and ingredients. Many of those chemicals may be dairy (or meat based, for that matter) without you knowing it. For the lactose intolerant, this could lead to stomach issues.
With kosher food, the strict prohibition between mixing dairy and meat means you won’t have to worry about accidental exposure.
No Worries About Shellfish
Some people are deathly allergic to shellfish. In fact, roughly 1.2 percent of Americans are allergic to shellfish, making it one of the most common allergies. Sadly, people die each year due to allergic reactions to their food.
Many people who are allergic to shellfish turn to kosher foods. Why? Kosher rules strictly forbid shellfish, so you can be all but certain that when eating kosher foods, you won’t be exposed to any shellfish contaminants.
In Summary: Kosher Food Might Be The Best Food
Sure, we’re being a bit biased, but with good reason. Kosher/Jewish foods must follow strict cleanliness standards that often exceed the regulations put forward by the FDA and other authorities. The result is clean, often healthy food. By incorporating Jewish foods into your diet plan you may be able to live healthy while still enjoy great foods.