5 Things You Need to Know About the Halal Diet

1. Helpful Halal

Halal is a common term for the set of dietary laws set by Islamic law, though the word itself refers to all things that are permissible according to Islam, rather than things that are haram, or forbidden. The Koran--the Muslim holy book--places emphasis on eating correctly as both a religious injunction and an important part of healthy living. For this reason, many of the principles of halal are familiar, such as (according to some) prohibitions on overeating.

2. Not All Animals Are for Dinner

One of the most prominent features of a halal diet is the restriction against the eating of certain animals. Pig is known for being forbidden by Judaism's kosher laws, but in fact, Islamic law also forbids it. Additionally, eating dogs, monkeys or other omnivores is forbidden, as is the eating of carnivores such as big cats according to the halal dietary system. This means that herbivorous animals are the only kind of livestock suitable for consumption by Muslims.

3. Clean Cooking

It's not just what animals are permissible to Islam but also how the animals are prepared. Only animals hunted or raised for human consumption are considered suitable to eat meaning that any animal found dead is forbidden. In addition, following ritual protocols for the meat during slaughter is necessary before it's considered halal.

4. Alcohol's Definitely Off the List

Alcohol, strictly forbidden in Islamic law, isn't considered halal. There are many religious and scriptural reasons for this, in addition to the fact that Muslims consider alcohol consumption unhealthy. For dieters who are thinking about a halal diet, this is good news since alcohol is proven to be packed with carbs and calories. More importantly, the effect of alcohol on metabolism is also extremely bad, making it a good idea to stay away from if you're trying to stay trim and healthy.

5. Guide to Halal Eating

To follow a strict halal diet (and not just a halal-inspired diet) you need to know what's halal and what's not. The easiest way of doing this is by paying attention to the certificates displayed by any restaurant or market. The certificates vary from place to place but if you record the name of the organization that granted the certificate you can get a full explanation of what halal means in that specific case.