Ital
Ital[edit | edit source]
Ital or I-tal (pronounced EYE-tahl) refers to a distinctive type of Jamaican cuisine. Primarily associated with the Rastafari movement, the word "Ital" derives from the English word "vital", with the initial "v" removed. This style of cooking emphasizes the use of natural, pure, and whole ingredients, often avoiding meat, preservatives, and artificial additives, aligning with the Rastafarian emphasis on living in harmony with nature.
Origins[edit | edit source]
Ital food has its roots in traditional Jamaican cuisine but has been deeply influenced by the Rastafari belief system. The Rastafarian diet is a significant expression of their spiritual connection to nature, the Earth, and the divine.
Principles[edit | edit source]
- Natural Ingredients: Ital recipes predominantly feature natural ingredients, often locally sourced and organic.
- No Meat: Most Ital dishes are vegetarian or vegan, though some may include fish.
- Salt-Free: The use of processed salt is generally avoided, with a preference for natural sea salt or none at all.
- Additive-Free: Preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors are eschewed in Ital cooking.
Popular Ital Dishes[edit | edit source]
- Ital Soup: A hearty vegetable soup with coconut milk, pumpkins, carrots, and herbs.
- Ital Stew: A slow-cooked stew featuring beans, vegetables, and sometimes fish, flavored with coconut milk and spices.
- Ackee and Breadfruit: A traditional dish, often prepared without saltfish for an Ital variation.
Nutritional Information[edit | edit source]
Ital food, given its emphasis on whole, natural ingredients, tends to be rich in essential nutrients. Dishes are typically high in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and low in saturated fats and processed sugars. The omission of processed ingredients and additives further enhances its nutritional profile.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Ital inspired Coconut Veggie Curry
Ital food
See also[edit | edit source]
| Diets | |
|---|---|
| Dieting | Diet - Cuisine - Dietitian - Hunger - Leptin - Meal - Nutrition - Obesity : Staple food |
| Types | Ketogenic diet - Low carbohydrate diet - Weight loss diet |
| By food ingredients | Omnivore - Entomophagy - Pescetarian - Plant-based |
| Regional diets | Western - Mediterranean - Sustainable diets - Low carbon - Planetary |
| Religious diets | Buddhist - Christian - Hindu - Islamic - Jain - Jewish - Rastafari - Sikh |
| Vegetarianism and veganism | Dried fruit - Fruitarianism - Meat analogue - Milk substitute - Raw vegan - Tofu - Semi-vegetarianism |
| Supplement diets | Bodybuilding supplements - Meal replacement - Therapeutic food - Non-solid diets - Liquid diets - Very-low-calorie diet |
| Misc.topics | Food pyramid - Fruits & Veggies – More Matters - Healthy eating pyramid - Latin American Diet Pyramid - French paradox - Mediterranean Diet Pyramid - MyPlate - MyPyramid - Vegetarian Diet Pyramid |
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
