Amish Diets

The Amish use farm fresh foods and supermarket goods in daily meals.

The Amish are an Anabaptist religious sect situated throughout the U.S., but mostly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The society is best known for its adherence to 17th and 18th century technologies and traditions, though many incorporate select modern technologies to facilitate work without threatening their conservative beliefs and lifestyle. Anyone who has purchased food from an Amish bakery or general store can taste the difference in quality compared to most commercial groceries. Amish families often use farm-fresh ingredients and old-fashioned cooking techniques, but some families incorporate store-bought food into their meals.

Food Sources

Rural Amish families who travel by horse and buggy typically use milk, meat and eggs from their own animals and fruits and vegetables from their own farms, grown with little or no artificial fertilizers. They might also hunt wild game for meat. When possible or convenient, the Amish purchase additional foods from Amish stores in the community. Increasingly, Amish families -- particularly those in urban areas with access to motorized transportation -- purchase some of their foods from "English" (non-Amish) grocery stores. Amish might also eat meals at English family restaurants, pizza parlors and fast food establishments.

Food Preparation

The Amish prepare most foods from scratch, and use wood or kerosene oil stoves. Many make their own cheese, cottage cheese, ice cream and yogurt with their own cow's milk. They can, pickle or smoke their foods to keep them fresh, and may keep foods cool in an icebox or propane refrigerator. Families who live close to English neighbors might rent out space in a modern freezer.

Typical Breakfast

The typical Amish breakfast consists of fruits and juice, eggs and cornmeal mush or hot whole grain cereal with milk. Whole grain bread is served at every meal.

Typical Main Meal

The main meal of the day is a typical German meal of noodles or potatoes with fried meat and vegetables.

Typical Lighter Meal

The Amish serve fruit at the lighter meal, along with cheese, bologna or soup.

Snacks and Sweets

Cakes, pies and pastries can be eaten as snacks or served with most meals, depending on the family. Other snacks include fruit or leftovers.

Health Concerns

True to their Germanic roots, the Amish consume a high-fat, high-calorie diet that includes large servings of meats and pastries. Though many Amish carry the FTO gene that puts them at risk for obesity, their chores, farm work and other routine physical activity keeps them thin. High cholesterol and high blood pressure, however, might be problems for the Amish, but these problems are rarely detected because they rarely go to the doctor.

References

• Ohio State University Extension; Cultural Diversity: Eating in America: Amish; Kevin L. Smith; 2010
• Indiana University; Did You Know? Thin Amish; September 2008
• "Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, Volume 2: Cultures"; Amish; Lawrence P. Greksa and Jill E. Korbin; 2004; pp. 557-564
• "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy"; Donald B. Kraybill et al.; 2007