Common Misconceptions About Hosting a Student with Special Dietary Requirements

As a host with Australian Homestay Network (AHN), you will receive requests to host students with varying dietary requirements. Common diets requested include vegan, vegetarian, and halal. Below are some misconceptions about providing these diets, as well as a few bonus tips on how to best cater for a student who has requested one.

Hosting a student with special dietary requirements is challenging:

While hosting a student with specific dietary requirements does require some consideration, it doesn’t have to be hard. By communicating with your student and their family, even before arrival, you can understand their needs and find suitable food options for them. You can cook meals that suit both of your diets with a little planning. Or, you may wish to switch to the same diet while the student is staying with you; an adventure in your own home!

Making vegetarian meals is boring, it’s all salad:

Quite the opposite! Curry, lasagne, and burgers can all be made vegetarian. There are many resources online to help prepare simple (or extravagant!) and yummy vegetarian foods. Check out these 40 Easy Vegetarian Meals for Beginners.

All Halal food is spicy:

Halal food refers to food that is permissible according to Islamic law, and it does not necessarily mean that the food is spicy. The spiciness of a dish depends on the specific cuisine and personal preferences rather than whether it’s halal or not.

Vegan diets are expensive to maintain:

Pre-packaged options might be, but if you cook from scratch, it’s actually really affordable. Considering you’re not buying meat – one of the most expensive grocery items – you will see savings just from that!

Halal food is very limited:

Once you understand the concept of Halal, it’s really not. Halal refers to what is permissible or lawful in Islamic law, see this Halal Fact File for more info. It not only applies to food and drinks but also to the entire lifestyle of a Muslim. The opposite of halal is haram, which means ‘forbidden’. Make sure you avoid ingredients that are prohibited in Islamic dietary laws, such as pork and pork by-products, alcohol, and any food or drinks that contain intoxicating substances. It’s important to prevent cross-contamination by keeping halal and non-halal food separate. This includes separating all utensils, cooking equipment, and areas you prep food in.

Providing vegan meals is also restrictive:

Avoiding animal products can be tricky to start with, considering we are so used to using them. However, once you sit down and plan with the products you can use; such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, rice and legumes, you’ll realise it’s not restrictive at all; you just have to be creative. Here is a great blog with tips about How to Start Eating A Plant-Based Diet.

Halal meals are expensive to prepare:

While there may be certain specialised Halal products that can be more expensive, providing Halal meals does not necessarily have to be costly. Many basic food items are readily available in most grocery stores.

Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet is unhealthy:

Firstly, it’s important to respect the choices one makes about their diet; it may be a choice, or it may be for health reasons. Vegan and vegetarian diets are healthy if they are planned correctly. A common issue we hear about is not getting enough protein. There are many versatile plant-based sources of protein that provide a healthy amount of protein, you just have to do your research. But, if you’re worried you’re not getting enough protein yourself; simply cook some, and add it to your plate only.

Halal food is difficult to find:

Halal food is becoming more accessible. Supermarkets carry Halal-certified products, and there are also Halal butchers, restaurants, and online retailers that cater to the Halal market. Look for halal certification labels on food products. These labels indicate that the food has been prepared and processed according to halal standards. Halal certification is typically provided by recognised halal certification authorities or Islamic organisations.

Note: there are a few variations of this label, depending on the standard of the venue the food was prepared. For more information about the label, visit halalfood.com.au

Vegetarian or vegan options are always halal:

While vegetarian or vegan options may seem like a safe choice, they may not always be halal. Some vegetarian or vegan products may contain ingredients or additives that are not permissible in Islam, such as alcohol or gelatine derived from non-halal sources. It is important to check the ingredients or look for halal certifications on packaged products.

Halal food is not as tasty as non-halal food:

This is a subjective opinion. Ultimately, it depends on the skill of the cook and the quality of ingredients used in the preparation of the meal.

It is essential to approach hosting students with special dietary requirements with an open mind and a willingness to learn and accommodate their needs. Clear communication and understanding can help ease these misconceptions and create a welcoming environment for all.

Bonus Tips

• Be cautious when dining out with your student: When eating at restaurants or ordering takeout, most places offer vegetarian or vegan options now. But choose halal-certified or Muslim-owned establishments on the nights you treat yourselves when you have a student with a halal dietary request. If you’re unsure about the halal status of a particular dish, it’s best to ask the waiter on duty about the ingredients and preparation methods.

• Check food additives and ingredients at home: Some food additives, such as gelatine, enzymes, and emulsifiers, may be derived from animal products or non-halal sources. Always check the ingredient lists on your products.

• Be mindful of where you buy halal meat: Meat should come from animals slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. The animal must be alive at the time of slaughter, and a Muslim person must perform the ritual slaughter while invoking the name of Allah (God). It’s recommended to look for halal certification on meat products or purchase from trusted halal butchers. Halal butchers are becoming more common, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to find one near you!

• Offer vegetarian and seafood options: To accommodate a wider range of dietary preferences, consider including vegetarian and seafood dishes in your menu. However, ensure that the seafood is prepared according to halal standards, as some Muslims may follow additional dietary restrictions.

• Educate your whole household: If you’re providing a Vegan or halal dietary service as part of your homestay packages, make sure your family members are aware of the dietary requirements too and understand the importance of avoiding cross-contamination.

• Communicate with your guests prior to their arrival: We touched on this earlier but it’s so easy and important. As your guests in advance about their dietary needs and preferences. What they like to eat and their recommendations on how best to cater for them. This will help you plan and prepare accordingly.