Talk About Food Customs and Dietary Taboos in Spanish

Explaining what your culture does not eat

Start with a simple statement about custom. The line «En mi cultura no se acostumbra comer eso.» means that in your culture it is not customary to eat a particular food. Use it when you want to explain a general habit, not a personal dislike. If you want to express a personal reaction instead, use «Eso me da asco.», which means that something grosses you out. This is stronger and more personal than «En mi cultura no se acostumbra comer eso.». When someone asks whether your avoidance is religious, you can clarify with «No lo como por costumbre, no por religión.», which means that you do not eat it out of custom, not for religious reasons. These three lines let you separate a cultural habit, a personal feeling, and a religious reason. Keep your tone calm and friendly; you are explaining, not arguing.

Asking about another country and understanding the reply

To ask a general question about food in someone else's country, use «¿Eso se come en tu país?», which means: is that eaten in your country? If you want to ask about a specific food, use «¿Es cierto que en tu país no se come carne de caballo?», which means: is it true that in your country horse meat isn't eaten? A common reply is «Sí, aquí casi nadie la come. Se ve como animal de compañía, no como comida.», which means: yes, here almost nobody eats it; it's seen as a pet, not as food. Notice that the reply gives a reason: the animal is seen as a pet. After you hear that, you can show you understand and ask a follow-up with «Entiendo. ¿Y hay alguna comida que ustedes eviten por costumbre?», which means: I understand; and is there any food you avoid out of custom? A possible answer is «Sí, muchas personas evitan el hígado, pero no es por religión, es por costumbre.», which means: yes, many people avoid liver, but it's not for religious reasons, it's out of custom. This reply keeps the same subject, liver, and explains the reason. When you listen, focus on the food word and the reason word.

Keeping the conversation polite and clear

Food customs can be sensitive, so keep your questions general and your answers simple. Use «¿Eso se come en tu país?» or «¿Es cierto que en tu país no se come carne de caballo?» to ask, and use «En mi cultura no se acostumbra comer eso.», «Eso me da asco.», or «No lo como por costumbre, no por religión.» to explain your own habits. If someone asks you a question, answer first, then add a short reason. For example, you can say that something is not customary in your culture, and then add that it is out of custom, not for religious reasons. When you hear a reply like «Sí, aquí casi nadie la come. Se ve como animal de compañía, no como comida.» or «Sí, muchas personas evitan el hígado, pero no es por religión, es por costumbre.», show that you understood by repeating the key food word or the reason in a short phrase. Do not worry about speaking fast. Clear, short sentences are better than long, complicated ones. Practise the lines aloud until you can say them without reading.

Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.

Checking available voices…

Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.

Common questions