Halal diet plan for weight loss—Halal diet is a dietary style that follows the Islamic law of eating particularly to the dietary laws set by Allah (God) in the Qur’an.These laws specify which foods are allowed and forbidden, with the general principle being that all foods are permissible except those that involve “haram” (sin like pork) or consumption of blood.
What Is Halal?
Halal is an Arabic word that refers to anything permissible under Islamic law. In terms of food, Halal refers to any item that is fit for human consumption and does not contain any pork products or alcohol (5).
There are a few general guidelines that all Muslims should follow when following a Halal diet:
- All foods must be clean and pure. This means that they must be free of contaminants, including pork products and alcohol.
- Meat must be slaughtered in a specific way, known as Zabiha.
- Food additives, such as coloring agents and preservatives, must also be Halal.
- Animal by-products, such as gelatin and rennet, must come from Halal sources.
- Foods must be prepared cleanly and hygienically.
What Can You Eat On A Halal Diet?
Just because something is Halal doesn’t mean it has to be boring! There are many delicious and nutritious foods that you can enjoy on a Halal diet.
Here are some of the most popular options (4):
Vegetables
All vegetables are considered Halal, so feel free to indulge in your favorites.
Fruits
Like vegetables, all fruits are considered permissible. Be sure to enjoy a variety of different fruits for the best nutritional benefits.
Poultry
Halal poultry includes chicken, duck, and turkey. Remember to check the ingredients list to make sure that no pork products were used in the manufacturing process.
Meat
Halal meat must be slaughtered in a specific way, so it is important to check the label list before purchasing. Halal meats include beef, lamb, and goat.
Seafood
All seafood is considered permissible, including fish, shrimp, and crab.
Dairy And Eggs
Halal dairy products must come from animals that are milked using a traditional method, not machines. Halal dairy products include milk, yogurt, and cheese.
All eggs are considered permissible.
Legumes And Nuts
Halal legumes include beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
All nuts are considered permissible, except for those roasted with lard.
Spices
All spices are considered permissible, except those that contain alcohol.
Grains
Halal grains include wheat, barley, and oats.
Sweets And Candies
Halal sweets and candies are available at most supermarkets. Do not forget to check the ingredients list to make sure that no pork products (such as gelatin) were used in the manufacturing process.
What Can’t You Eat On A Halal Diet?
Haram, which is the Arabic word for forbidden, refers to anything that is not permissible under Islamic law.
There are a few items that are not allowed on a Halal diet, including (2):
Pork Products
Pork is considered unclean and is, therefore, not allowed in a Halal diet.
Alcohol
Alcohol is also considered unclean, thus, not allowed in a Halal diet.
Non-Halal Meat
Meat that has not been slaughtered in a specific way is considered unclean, therefore, not allowed in a Halal diet.
Animal By-Products
Animal by-products such as gelatin and rennet must not come from non-halal sources. Blood is not halal and food must not be contaminated with it.
Foods Prepared With Unclean Ingredients
Foods that are not prepared in a clean and hygienic manner are considered unclean and are therefore not allowed in a Halal diet.
Foods With Added Alcohol
Foods that contain any amount of alcohol are not allowed in a Halal diet.
What Is Zabiha?
Zabiha is the Islamic ritual of animal slaughter and is one of the most important aspects of a Halal diet. The goal of Zabiha is to ensure that the animal is killed humanely and that all the blood is drained from its body (3).
There are a few specific guidelines that must be followed when performing Zabiha:
- The animal must be conscious when it is slaughtered.
- The animal must be slaughtered with a sharp blade.
- The animal’s throat must be cut swiftly and deeply.
- The animal’s blood must be drained from its body.
- The animal must be slaughtered in the presence of a Muslim.
- The animal must not be slaughtered in the presence of other animals.
- The animal must not see the blade that is going to be used to slaughter it.
- The blade must be clean, without blemish, and free of blood.
- The animal must be slaughtered humanely.
Why Is Zabiha Important?
Zabiha is important because it ensures that the meat is lawful for consumption under Islamic law. It also helps ensure that the meat is fresh and has not been contaminated with blood (3). By following the guidelines of Zabiha, Muslims can be sure that they are eating food that is both healthy and lawful.
What Is Halal Certification?
Halal certification is a process that is used to verify that a product is Halal. The goal of halal certification is to ensure that the products that are sold to Muslim consumers are free from pork and alcohol (6).
There are a few different organizations that offer halal certification, including the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) and the Muslim Consumer Group (MCG) (1).
Halal certification helps ensure that the products are of high quality and meet the standards of Islamic law. By using halal-certified products, Muslims can be sure that they are consuming food that is both healthy and lawful.
How To Follow A Halal Diet?
If you are interested in following a Halal diet, there are a few things that you can do to make it easier:
Learn To Read Labels
The best way to ensure that a product is Halal is to learn how to read the labels. All of the ingredients in a product must be listed on the label, so you can easily see if there are any which are not allowed in a Halal diet.
Look For Halal Certification
If you are not sure whether or not a product is Halal, you can look for the halal certification seal. This seal will guarantee that the product has been certified as Halal by a reliable organization.
Subscribe To A Halal Food Service
If you don’t have time to prepare your Halal meals, you can subscribe to halal food service. This service will provide you with pre-packaged, Halal meals that are ready to eat.
Avoid Pork And Alcohol
The easiest way to stay on track with a Halal diet is to avoid pork and alcohol. These two ingredients are not allowed in a Halal diet, so they are easy to avoid.
Be Wary Of Processed Foods
Processed foods often contain unclean ingredients, so it might be better to avoid them if you are trying to follow a Halal diet. Instead, try to eat fresh, whole foods that are Halal-friendly.
Cook At Home
The best way to ensure that you are eating Halal food is to cook at home. This way, you can control the ingredients that are used in your food.
Halal Substitution Ideas
If you are having a hard time finding Halal products, there are a few substitution ideas for you, such as using:
- Beef or lamb instead of pork;
- Olive oil or vegetable broth instead of butter or margarine;
- Coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk instead of dairy milk;
- Spelt, quinoa, or brown rice instead of wheat;
- Hummus, tahini, or baba ganoush instead of mayonnaise;
- Dates, figs, or prunes instead of candy or chocolate;
- Sparkling water or fruit juice instead of alcohol; and
- Fruit pectin or agar-agar instead of gelatin.
What Are the Benefits of a Halal Diet?
A halal diet can be beneficial by helping to reduce a person’s cholesterol, saturated fat, and alcohol intake. Halal, meaning condoned or allowed in Arabic, is the diet and lifestyle of the followers of Islam. It involves the restriction of a range of foods, including pork, from one’s diet as well abstinence from alcohol. When a person follows this diet in addition to eating other healthy foods, he may have less risk of certain health problems.
This diet is particularly beneficial when a dieter focuses on eating healthily overall in addition to the restrictions the eating plan dictates. The halal diet typically excludes a range of foods, including pork or pig byproducts, foods that still contain animal blood, predatory birds, and animals that died for any reason other than being slaughtered for food. Land animals that do not have visible ears are prohibited as well. Additionally, people who follow this diet avoid meats that were not slaughtered according to the methods dictated by Muslim law.
The requirement to avoid pork and pork byproducts can be beneficial because many pig products contain significant amounts of cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease. Likewise, some people, especially those who follow Islam, believe the pig is a filthy animal and toxic to the body. Even those who do not believe this, however, may decide to avoid it based on the cholesterol content alone.
The level of saturated fat found in some pig by-products is another reason they are restricted on a halal diet. For example, a type of pork by-product called lard contains large amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol. High amounts of saturated fat raise one’s cholesterol levels and can contribute to the development of health problems, including heart disease. Many experts suggest that a person substitute lard with plant-based fats, such as olive or canola oils, regardless of whether he or she follows a halal diet.
Another potential benefit of this type of eating plan is the prohibition of alcohol. When alcohol is consumed in excess, it can be very dangerous to the organs, including the liver, pancreas, and brain. Over-consumption of alcohol may also cause stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. Going on a halal diet can ensure that the organs are not negatively affected. Additionally, alcohol adds extra calories to one’s diet, which can be a problem for a person interested in losing weight.
Some of the other restrictions on this diet are for religious reasons and do not have proven health benefits. One of these faith-based restrictions is that Islamic people can only eat animals if they have been killed in a particular way. Islamic law says that a Muslim must kill the animal by draining its blood. Before the animal dies, the Muslim butcher must also say the word Allah, which means God.
Fast, and Calorie Friendly Halal Meals You Can Make at Home
We often Google “Halal Food Near Me”. Well, what if we sought our local groceries stores and halal markets to find delicious and halal healthy meals? This article will show you 40 dishes that are not only calorie friendly but likely halal options near you.
As a kid, I grew up eating virtually anything I wanted to. Three plates of Biryani on a Friday after Jummah prayer? Sure, it was the absolute best! Eating halal pepperoni pizza, you betcha. However, as time progressed, my unhealthy eating habits caught up to me. I would struggle with weight management over the years. Some years, I would focus on heavy exercise, which would stabilize my weight. Other years, I didn’t devote the time, and with a busy schedule, you can gain weight if you don’t watch what you eat.
As many folks try to reset and create goals for the New Year, weight loss and healthy eating habits tend to be the most common goals people have! However, as a Muslim who observes eating halal meat, it can be difficult, especially if you have a busy working life. How do you manage healthy meals that are calorie-friendly but also halal? When I got married, my wife introduced me to calorie counting. Have a schedule on counting your total calories for the day to create a calorie deficit and lose weight. Accompanied with exercise, I lost about 20 pounds in 4 months! My wife and I both have very busy work schedules. This often means opening the fridge or freezer and quickly heating a 5-minute microwavable meal. But we wanted meals that were rich in protein, had halal meat, or were vegetarian, but most importantly, they needed to be delicious! After more than a year of trying various meals, I wanted to share several halal and vegetarian-friendly options for anyone seeking a delicious meal but low in calories.
The below list showcases meals that you can easily prepare in less than 10 minutes (most of them within 6) and meals that are 400 calories or less! As you embark on your journey of weight loss or weight management, I strongly recommend speaking to a nutritionist. They can help manage your calorie intake depending on your body type and ensure you enjoy the process. The list here is a supplement, and I am hopeful it is of value for you all.
I hope you enjoy the list, and I hope it helps you find a good balance of managing your health and appetite!
1. Saffron Road Thai Red Curry Chicken
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 350
Protein: 14 grams
2. Saffron Road Madras Curry & Chicken Meatballs
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 400
Protein: 15 grams
3. Saffron Road Lamb Saag
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Lamb
Calories per Serving: 340
Protein: 18 grams
4. Saffron Road Lemongrass With Basil Chicken
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 310
Protein: 16 grams
5. Sukhi’s Chicken Curry and Cheddar
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 320
Protein: 19 grams
6. Sukhis Chicken Biryani
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories Per Serving: 400
Protein: 22 grams
7. Sukhis Chicken Tikka Masala Wrap
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 310
Protein: 20 grams
8. Deep Indian Kitchen Chicken Vindaloo
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 340
Protein: 22 grams
9. Deep Indian Kitchen Coconut Chicken Korma
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 330
Protein: 24 grams
10. Deep Indian Kitchen Spinach Chicken Tikka
Meal Type: Frozen / Microwavable / Halal Chicken
Calories per Serving: 350
Protein: 27 grams