Answer

During Paryushan, Jains try to follow greater purity, restraint, and non-violence in food. Here are 100 food-related things commonly avoided during Paryushan, depending on family tradition, sect, health, and personal vows.

• 1. Onion
• 2. Garlic
• 3. Potato
• 4. Sweet potato
• 5. Yam / suran
• 6. Carrot
• 7. Radish
• 8. Beetroot
• 9. Turnip
• 10. Ginger
• 11. Turmeric root
• 12. Fresh green turmeric
• 13. Cassava / tapioca root
• 14. Arrowroot
• 15. Any root vegetable
• 16. Sprouted pulses
• 17. Fermented foods
• 18. Idli batter
• 19. Dosa batter
• 20. Dhokla made from fermented batter
• 21. Khaman made with fermented batter
• 22. Bread with yeast
• 23. Pizza base with yeast
• 24. Bakery buns
• 25. Yeast-based cakes
• 26. Alcohol
• 27. Wine
• 28. Beer
• 29. Vinegar
• 30. Pickles containing vinegar
• 31. Foods kept overnight
• 32. Leftover cooked food
• 33. Stale food
• 34. Food cooked before sunrise for later use, if not allowed by family tradition
• 35. Food eaten after sunset
• 36. Food before sunrise, if observing stricter discipline
• 37. Refrigerated leftovers
• 38. Frozen cooked leftovers
• 39. Reheated old food
• 40. Street food of uncertain ingredients
• 41. Restaurant food with unknown preparation
• 42. Onion-garlic masala
• 43. Packaged sauces containing onion or garlic
• 44. Tomato ketchup with vinegar or onion-garlic
• 45. Schezwan sauce
• 46. Soy sauce if fermented
• 47. Chilli sauce containing vinegar
• 48. Ready-made chutneys with garlic
• 49. Ready-made gravies
• 50. Instant noodles with onion-garlic seasoning
• 51. Chips with onion-garlic flavoring
• 52. Namkeen with garlic powder
• 53. Masala snacks with unknown ingredients
• 54. Cheese containing animal rennet, if checking strictly
• 55. Gelatin-based foods
• 56. Jelly with gelatin
• 57. Marshmallows with gelatin
• 58. Gummy candies with gelatin
• 59. Capsules made from gelatin, unless medically necessary
• 60. Eggs
• 61. Meat
• 62. Fish
• 63. Chicken
• 64. Seafood
• 65. Honey, as avoided by many Jains
• 66. Foods containing honey
• 67. Green leafy vegetables, in stricter observance
• 68. Spinach, if avoiding leafy greens
• 69. Fenugreek leaves, if avoiding leafy greens
• 70. Coriander leaves, if avoiding leafy greens
• 71. Mint leaves, if avoiding leafy greens
• 72. Lettuce, if avoiding leafy greens
• 73. Cabbage, in stricter observance
• 74. Cauliflower, in stricter observance
• 75. Broccoli, in stricter observance
• 76. Mushrooms, commonly avoided by many Jains
• 77. Foods containing mold cultures
• 78. Blue cheese
• 79. Overripe fruits
• 80. Cut fruits kept for long time
• 81. Fruit juices kept for long time
• 82. Unfiltered water
• 83. Water kept beyond the traditional allowed time
• 84. Ice made from unfiltered water
• 85. Raw salads washed unclearly
• 86. Foods with insects or high chance of tiny organisms
• 87. Flour or grains with infestation
• 88. Old spices with insects
• 89. Unchecked lentils or pulses
• 90. Unchecked rice or grains
• 91. Foods with artificial colors of uncertain source
• 92. Foods with animal-derived additives
• 93. Lard or animal fat
• 94. Stock cubes containing meat extract
• 95. Soups with onion-garlic or meat stock
• 96. Chocolates containing gelatin or alcohol
• 97. Desserts with egg
• 98. Cakes containing egg or gelatin
• 99. Ice creams with gelatin or egg ingredients
• 100. Any food prepared carelessly without attention to ahimsa and purity

Explanation

The main reason for these food restrictions is Ahimsa — reducing harm to living beings as much as possible. During Paryushan, many Jains become more careful about:

• Root vegetables, because uprooting them destroys the whole plant and may harm many tiny organisms in the soil.
• Fermented and stale foods, because they may involve the growth of microorganisms.
• Night eating, because traditionally it increases the chance of unknowingly harming small living beings.
• Animal-based foods, because they directly conflict with Jain principles of non-violence.
• Unfiltered water and unchecked grains, because Jain practice emphasizes carefulness toward even subtle life forms.

Spiritual Understanding

In Paryushan, food discipline is not just about “not eating certain items.” It is a practice of:

• Self-control
• Awareness
• Compassion
• Purity of body and mind
• Reducing attachment to taste

The deeper purpose is to make the soul lighter by reducing carelessness, desire, and violence.

Takeaway

During Paryushan, avoid foods that increase violence, carelessness, attachment, or impurity. Follow your family’s Jain tradition, your sect’s guidance, and your health condition with devotion and sincerity.