Food choices can be spiritual

Food practices and rituals are a cherished part of our varied religious traditions.

During Lent, many Christians abstain from certain foods. Muslims observing Ramadan will not consume food or water during the daytime during that month. Many Jews practice kashrut, observing kosher food law. Many Hindu and Buddhist sects practice vegetarianism.

Some faiths may have no strong food-related rituals or spiritual practices, but this does not mean that we cannot individually experiment with our own practices.

A workshop on “Ethical Eating” at a recent religious conference listed a number of food practices we might consider exploring.

Fasting. There are many ways to explore fasting as a spiritual practice. From time to time, I take a 24-hour fast, consuming clear liquids only. I find that such a fast reminds me to eat more intentionally — and I notice how much I snack without conscious thought.

Eating lower on the food chain. If we eat a diet that is mostly or all plant based, we care for the earth by reducing the amount of fossil fuels, land and water required for our food. One can approach eating lower on the food chain with varying degrees of strictness: veganism, vegetarianism, pescetarianism (fish allowed), or even “beady-eyed vegetarianism” (fish, birds — animals with small eyes allowed).

Local food sourcing. Many of my friends are locavores, trying to obtain much if not all of their food locally. Not only do we save fossil fuels used in transport but we begin to build relationships with local farmers and suppliers.

Food Stamp Challenge. The challenge is to eat for a week on no more than what a person on food stamps receives (that would be a maximum of $4.32 per day). As we complete this challenge, we might think of those around us for which this is not merely a one week exercise, but a way of survival.

Certainly any of these ideas can be practiced without any spiritual thought — in which case they become merely diets. If, instead, we approach these activities with intentionality and awareness, they can become spiritual practices.

For example, changes in personal food practices can bring up strong feelings — cravings, childhood food memories, a sense of “body memory.”

How do we handle these feelings? Trying to change food practice as a family, even for a short time, can require negotiation and compromise. I noticed when I practiced vegetarianism, some people reacted with curiosity, and some even feel threatened, as if my food choices somehow impinged on their freedom.

By paying attention to our own feelings and those of others, and trying to make sense of them, we become more aware of our spiritual nature and interrelatedness with other spiritual beings.

The Rev. Matt Alspaugh is pastor of Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown.