The most important rules and principles to planning a Christian-friendly menu. Follow Christian food etiquette to prepare a menu that your guests will enjoy. Avoid embarrassment and be an ideal host.

What Christian food etiquette is

Christian food etiquette is the set of rules to plan a menu that is appropriate for guests who follow Christian dietary restrictions. Such rules include:

• The allowed foods and ingredients.
• How to ask about dietary restrictions.
• How to deal with your guests’ diets.

If you are hosting, respect Christian food etiquette to properly plan a menu that your guests will enjoy and to avoid any embarrassments. 

If you are a guest, follow Christian food etiquette to politely deal with your hosts and the other guests.

Christian food etiquette rules

1) Respect Christian dietary restrictions in your menu

The Christian religion does not set dietary laws. This is mostly true for all major Christian groups. Such as Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox groups. However, some Christian groups may forbid or limit some foods during some periods of the year.

Meat is allowed with a few exceptions

In general, all Christian groups can eat meat from any animal.

Catholics should avoid eating meat on the days dedicated to penance. Such days are Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and any Friday during Lent. However, some Catholics observe a stricter interpretation of the rule. Thus, they avoid meat on any Friday of the year and on every day during Lent.

Fish and seafood are allowed in the Christian diet

All Christian groups normally can eat fish, seafood, or shellfish. Catholics can eat them even during the days dedicated to penance.

Milk, dairy products, and cheese are allowed

Milk, dairy products, and cheese are normally included in the Christian diet.

Eggs and honey are ok

Christians can eat eggs and honey.

Vegetables and fruit are always ok

The Christian diet allows all vegetables and fruit.

Grains are ok

Christians can eat any type of grain. Rice. Pasta. Couscous. Quinoa. Amaranth. The same applies to bakery products, bread, and pizza too.

Condiments are almost always ok

All Christian groups can normally consume oil, vinegar, salt, and spices. The groups that forbid alcohol, such as Baptist and Methodist, may not allow vinegar made from wine.

Sweets and desserts are generally ok

The Christian diet can include most types of sweets or desserts. However, Catholics should limit or exclude sweets during the days dedicated to penance.

Drinks are allowed, but alcohol could be excluded

Christians can consume any type of drink. Soft drinks. Coffee. Tea.

In general, most Christian groups can consume alcohol. However, all of them recommend moderation.

Some groups ban alcohol. Such as the Adventists, Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals. Others must limit or exclude alcohol during the days dedicated to penance, such as the Catholics. Protestants and Orthodox do not have major restrictions.

2) Etiquette for asking guests about their Christian diet

It is perfect etiquette to ask your guests about their Christian dietary restrictions.

In written formal invitations, it is sufficient to ask guests to please inform the hosts about any dietary requirements. 

In informal invitations, a simple “do you follow any diet or have any dietary restriction?” works. Another option is to ask if guests avoid any food.

It is against etiquette to ask further questions. Such as why someone follows the Christian dietary rules. Or why someone excludes or includes a certain food. 

If you have a genuine curiosity, you may ask such questions. However, it is polite to justify your curiosity. In other words, state why you are curious about it. Be apologetic. Never judge or question the answers you get.

3) Christian food menu planning etiquette

Follow these key principles to deal with guests’ Christian dietary restrictions.

Serve each food on its dedicated plate 

Do not serve multiple foods on the same plate. Instead, separate them. Assign a plate and serving utensils to each food or ingredient. Serve condiments and sauces separated from food.

This way you allow guests to pick the foods that they can eat. Or to avoid the foods that they cannot eat. 

Include safe options 

Some foods are allowed in almost every diet. Such as vegetables and fruit. Plan some safe dishes that almost any guest will be able to eat. As an example, only a few people say no to baked potatoes or salad.

Avoid risky foods

Many foods are not allowed in several diets. Pork meat. Alcohol. Beef. Crustaceans.

If you are unsure about your guests’ diet, play safe. Avoid cooking these foods altogether. Or, at least, plan one or two dishes without them.

4) Christian food guest etiquette

Guests following Christian dietary rules should respect etiquette too. Otherwise, they risk disrespecting their host or the other guests.

Do not expect the host to guess your diet 

If you do not eat some foods, clearly state it with your host. 

It is bad etiquette to expect a change in the menu based on your needs. Instead, you may ask if there may be some options suited for a Christian diet. Be apologetic in your requests. It is rude to do otherwise. As a guest, you do not want to sound entitled.

Be accommodating. Do not expect the host to accommodate your requests. However, any considerate host will feel compelled to provide guests with Hindu diet options.

Politely refuse food that you do not eat

If the host serves food that you do not eat, simply avoid it. If the host or another guest explicitly offers such food to you, politely refuse it. It is enough to say “no, thank you”. 

Provide additional detail only if someone asks you. It is good etiquette to be brief. Otherwise, do not discuss your dietary restrictions in length.

Do not impose your diet on the other guests

Never expect others to adjust to your diet. Do not expect your hosts to change their menu to accommodate your needs. Similarly, at a restaurant, do not expect the other guests to change their food order. 

Christian food etiquette: the worst mistakes

The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors. 

A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.  

Avoid the worst Christian food etiquette mistakes. 

• 8/10. Not accommodating Christian dietary restrictions.
• 7/10. Imposing your diet on others.
• 5/10. Sharing unsolicited details about your diet.
• 5/10. Asking personal dietary questions.

Resources

• Religion, diet and research: researchgate.net