Jains don’t eat potatoes, onions, garlic and other root vegetables mainly because of ahimsā (non‑violence) and spiritual purity.

In simple points:

1. They are root vegetables (kand‑mool)

- Potato, onion and garlic grow under the ground. - To eat them, the whole plant has to be uprooted, so the entire plant’s life is destroyed. - With fruits or leaves, you can pluck them and the plant can still live.

1. Many tiny lives are harmed

- Jain philosophy says roots contain and attract countless microscopic living beings (nigod / sukhshma jiva). - When we pull out and wash root vegetables, many small lives in the soil and in the root are killed. - So, compared to other vegetables, eating roots involves much more himsā (violence).

1. Onion and garlic disturb the mind

- Onion, garlic and some other strong roots are called “panch kanda/panch shalya” – very pungent, strong‑smelling items. - They are believed to increase passions, restlessness and body desires, which disturbs meditation, equanimity and self‑control. - Jain dharma encourages a simple, calm mind, so such foods are avoided.

1. Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara

- Monks and nuns of both traditions strictly avoid all root vegetables. - Householders are also advised to avoid potato, onion, garlic etc. as an ideal Jain way of eating, though actual practice can differ family to family. - The basic reason is same for all: minimize violence and keep food spiritually pure.

So, Jains do not avoid these foods for taste or culture only; it is mainly to protect as many lives as possible and to support a peaceful, spiritual life.

You can read more here • Why Jains avoid onions, potatoes and garlic • Why not eating potatoes • Why we do not eat onions and garlic