Fasting for religious practices

What we know  

As a multicultural country, Australia has many different religions. Some of them have rules about food, including what to eat or avoid, how to prepare food, and when to fast. Almost 1 in 10 Australians avoid certain food for cultural, religious or ethical reasons. This is more common among women than men, especially women aged 18–29.  

Religious food rules have long histories linked to the world’s major religious groups. Well-known examples include halal (Islam) and kosher (Judaism), which both avoid pork for example, with Islam also not allowing alcohol. Vegetarian diets are often followed in Hinduism (cows are sacred and cannot be eaten), Buddhism and Sikhism. Several religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, encourage prolonged breastfeeding. Fasting is also common, ranging from short fasting periods (Catholicism) to routine fasting (Mormon Church) to a full month of no food or water during the day for Ramadan (Islam). Some people follow the rules strictly, others more loosely.  

Most religious diets are safe and can be healthy. But some may lead to nutrition problems if not managed well – for example, low iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, or omega-3. The risks are higher children, pregnant women, and people with limited access to a wide variety of foods. Long or strict fasting may also cause dehydration and low energy. The health effects can make it harder for someone to participate fully in sport, especially at during certain times of the year or day.  

Insights for coaches and officials  

Coaches and officials can best support all participants by being aware of different religious rules and knowing when participants may be fasting or breastfeeding. Staying educated helps you create safe and inclusive spaces that match people’s energy levels and capabilities on a given day. Other ways you can help are: 

• Coaches – ask respectful questions to understand what people need to stay healthy while following their beliefs. Balance safety and the need for proper nutrition and hydration with respect for individual choices about food and fasting. Adjust training as needed to help people manage their energy and hydration. Encourage everyone to respect each other’s beliefs and practices. 
• Officials – understand the religious mix of your community and how fasting may affect participants. Use this knowledge to offer appropriate support during competitions. Be flexible about scheduling where possible and promote safe practices during events to reduce health risks for participants who are fasting or have strict dietary rules.  

Source article: Religious dietary rules and their potential nutritional and health consequences | International Journal of Epidemiology, opens in a new tab 

Facts and figures: Dieting and food avoidance | Australian Bureau of Statistics