During a recent flight to Mumbai, I was seated next to a Jain passenger who explained how their dietary beliefs shaped their inflight meal choice. Intrigued by their commitment to non-violence, even in food, I explored the world of Jain airline meals (VJML). As someone who loves to travel and try new cuisines, learning about these specially curated meals was eye-opening. Here’s everything you need to know about Jain airline meals, from what they include to how they align with Jain principles.
Table of Contents
- What is a Jain Meal in a Flight?
- What is Meant by Jain Meal?
- What is the Difference Between Vegetarian and Jain Meal?
- What is a Jain Meal on Air India?
- What is an Example of a Jain Meal?
- Is Potato Included in Jain Food?
- What Does a Jain Meal Include?
- What Foods Are Avoided in Jainism?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jain Meal in a Flight?
A Jain airline meal, coded as VJML (Vegetarian Jain Meal) or occasionally JNML, is a special inflight meal designed for passengers adhering to Jain dietary restrictions. These meals are strictly vegetarian, excluding all animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, as well as root vegetables such as onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots. Prepared in accordance with Jain principles of non-violence, VJML meals use above-ground vegetables, pulses, and Indian spices to create flavorful dishes.
What is Meant by Jain Meal?
A Jain meal refers to food prepared following the dietary guidelines of Jainism, a religion emphasizing non-violence (ahimsa) toward all living beings. In the context of air travel, a Jain meal (VJML) is a pre-ordered meal that avoids animal products and root vegetables, which Jains believe may harm microscopic organisms in the soil. These meals are tailored to ensure compliance with Jain dietary laws while offering a satisfying inflight dining experience.
What is the Difference Between Vegetarian and Jain Meal?
While both vegetarian (VGML) and Jain (VJML) meals are meat-free, they differ significantly:
- Vegetarian Meal (VGML): Excludes meat, fish, and sometimes eggs or dairy (depending on the airline). It may include root vegetables like onions, garlic, and potatoes.
- Jain Meal (VJML): Excludes all animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey) and root vegetables, focusing on above-ground vegetables, grains, and pulses. It’s often prepared with Indian spices for flavor.
- Main: Rice with a curry of green beans, peas, and chickpeas seasoned with Indian spices (e.g., cumin, turmeric).
- Side: A bread roll or flatbread (without dairy).
- Dessert: Fresh fruit like apples or bananas.
- Drink: Water or a non-alcoholic beverage.
- Grains: Rice, wheat, or other cereals.
- Pulses: Lentils, chickpeas, or dry beans.
- Vegetables: Above-ground vegetables like green beans, peas, cauliflower, or zucchini.
- Spices: Indian spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric (no garlic or onion).
- Extras: Bread rolls, fresh fruit, and water.
- Animal Products: Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey.
- Root Vegetables: Onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, beets, and other underground crops.
- Other: Mushrooms, as they grow in conditions that may involve harming microorganisms.
Jain meals are a stricter subset of vegetarian meals, making them suitable for vegans seeking animal-free options, though vegans should avoid VGML if root vegetables are a concern.
What is a Jain Meal on Air India?
Air India offers Jain meals (VJML) as part of its special meal options. These meals are prepared in Indian style, excluding animal products and root vegetables like onions, garlic, and potatoes. A typical Air India Jain meal might include rice, lentils, or chickpeas cooked in a curry sauce, served with above-ground vegetables, a bread roll, fresh fruit, and water. Passengers can request VJML when booking their flight to ensure compliance with Jain dietary principles.
What is an Example of a Jain Meal?
An example of a Jain airline meal could be:
This meal avoids animal products and root vegetables, aligning with Jain dietary restrictions while remaining flavorful and filling.
Is Potato Included in Jain Food?
No, potatoes are not included in Jain food. As a root vegetable, potatoes are avoided in Jainism due to the belief that harvesting them may harm microscopic organisms in the soil. Jain airline meals (VJML) use above-ground vegetables like green beans, peas, or cauliflower instead.
What Does a Jain Meal Include?
A Jain airline meal typically includes:
All ingredients are plant-based and exclude animal products and root vegetables.
What Foods Are Avoided in Jainism?
Jainism’s dietary principles avoid foods that involve harm to living beings. Prohibited foods include:
These restrictions ensure that Jain meals align with the principle of non-violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jain meal in a flight?
A Jain meal (VJML) is a special inflight meal that follows Jain dietary principles, excluding animal products and root vegetables like onions and potatoes. It includes above-ground vegetables, pulses, and Indian spices.
What is the difference between a vegetarian and a Jain meal?
A vegetarian meal (VGML) may include root vegetables and sometimes dairy or eggs, while a Jain meal (VJML) excludes all animal products and root vegetables, focusing on above-ground ingredients.
Can vegans order a Jain meal?
Yes, Jain meals are vegan-friendly as they exclude all animal products. However, vegans should avoid vegetarian meals (VGML) if they include root vegetables.
Does Air India offer Jain meals?
Yes, Air India provides Jain meals (VJML) prepared in Indian style, excluding animal products and root vegetables. Request this meal when booking.
Are potatoes allowed in Jain meals?
No, potatoes are root vegetables and are not included in Jain meals due to Jainism’s non-violence principles.
Check out these related articles for meal types:
No comments:
Post a Comment