Commandments for the Belly

THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY of Shavuot is a time recognized as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Along with the Torah came laws about eating, farming, and food safety. For example, one tradition of Shavuot is to eat dairy foods to feel lighter and gain “en-light-enment.”


With these things in mind, we thought it would be fun to share the food-related “commandments” created by a number of Jewish writers. We hope they give you plenty to contemplate while noshing.


10 Commandments of Food10 FROM KVELLER.com

Writer Natasha Rosenstock gives us rules for ensuring “healthy and delicious eating habits” that are not only good for our families, but for the environment as well.

Rosenstock’s Kveller.com piece, “New Jewish Food Commandments,” includes such sage advice as:


  • “Eat dinner together as a family every night;”

  • “Show your children what real food is and where it comes from;” and

  • “Buy directly from local farms to help perpetuate sustainable practices.”


10 FROM KIDSENABLED.org

In her piece, titled “The Ten Commandments for Developing Healthy Eaters,” Registered, licensed dietitian Carol Ann Brannon provides "Ten Commandments, or strategies, for overcoming 'selective eater syndrome.'"


According to Brannon, “parents can help their child become a healthier eater” by being responsible, being accepting, being persistent, and by acting as a role model. Her “ten commandments” break it all down.


10 FROM SPARKPEOPLE.com

In her article, "The 10 Commandments of Healthy Eating for Parents," licensed and registered dietitian Becky Hand provides 10 "thou shalts" without much in the way of introduction or explanation. These simple, to-the-point tips are designed for parents looking to impart healthy eating habits for their children.


10 FROM EATINGWELL.com

Foodborne illness affects many millions of Jewish families each year. In an effort to educate readers, the editors of EatingWell.com present “10 Commandments of Food Safety.” Covering everything from food temperatures and food storage to food preparation and cooking, this slideshow presents 10 important rules for food health.


10 FROM NONNA

In her book, Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater, author and public speaker Nonna Joann Bruso presents tips for parents challenged by young appetites. In a related online article, 10 Commandments for Kitchen Safety, Bruso shares tips for a safe kitchen. After all, a safe kitchen means a kid-friendly kitchen -- and, as Nonna explains, “involving kids with meal preparation gives them an opportunity to have multi-sensory experiences with various foods.”


10 FROM NATURALNEWS.com
Though not exactly “commandments,” the 10 “reasons” presented by writer Hope Egan are nevertheless worth taking to heart. In her article, “Ten Reasons to Grow Your Own Food,” Egan explains the virtues of gardening. By No. 10, you’ll agree:  Gardening offers “physical, emotional, financial, and intellectual benefits.”



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