The Ital Plant-Based Food Movement−Defined

If you’re not familiar with Ital, this refers to the plant-based, natural diet practiced by the Rastafari movement in Jamaica.

Derived from the word vital, Ital is predicated on eating organic, unprocessed, and locally grown foods straight from the earth to promote holistic health and maintain a pure life energy, or livity.

What is the Ital culinary philosophy?

One of the main principles of the Ital diet is the emphasis on natural, organic, and sustainable farming while avoiding industrialization and commercial food production.

Additionally, Ital foods are primarily plant-based and free of chemicals and other unhealthy additives. The Ital approach excludes meat and all heavily processed foods.

Foods are consumed fresh as often as possible, while cooked items are prepared without artificial preservatives, colorings, and refined sugars.

Salt, oil, and spices are either omitted or kept to an absolute minimum in favor of natural flavors from coconut milk, herbs, and vegetables.