Some links are affiliated. This means I may earn a small commission from purchases made at no extra cost to you. Content is based off personal experience and not to be taken as or replace medical advice.
Last Updated on January 3, 2025 by Tiffany
Health is wealth, ital is vital. May your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food. Eat what you grow and your body is a temple, not a cemetery so don’t put death into it.
These are all mottos that Rastafari live off of on the ital diet. It is not only a way of eating, but also a way of living. There are certain words Rastafari do not say and foods that are absolutely prohibited from being eaten.
Want more ital recipes? Check out all the authentic vegan Jamaican recipes on the blog!
For example, animal products are seen as unholy foods to be eaten. Rastafari view life as a spiritual experience and any flesh or blood might get in the way of the path to connecting with the most high Jah (God).
There are many different plant based foods that are typically eaten on an ital diet. Stew peas without meat, ital sip/stew, callalloo and ackee are all foods you will typically find amongst a Rasta’s plate.
With that being said, I personally love to add a bit more of a unique twist on my food while keeping it authentic and classic. Here are some of my favorite authentic vegan Jamaican food recipes.
Curry Plantain- Ital Recipes
Brown Stew Chickpeas
Curry Pumpkin
Callaloo Rice
Curry Mushroom
