Final answer:
Your Indian friend likely abstains from certain meats due to religious or cultural dietary traditions. Hindus typically do not eat beef, and Muslims avoid pork. Dietary choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including religion, culture, personal philosophy, and regional cuisines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given that the context of the question involves dietary practices likely related to cultural or religious traditions, the observation of your Indian friend not eating meat but being seen consuming an unknown food implies a discussion on cultural dietary habits. Food is a significant aspect of culture, particularly in India where the cuisine varies between north and south, and is largely influenced by religious beliefs such as Hinduism and Islam. Hindus do not eat beef, and Muslims typically avoid pork as well as certain species of fish. It is, therefore, likely that your Indian friend, if he adheres to Hindu dietary customs, would not eat beef, and if he follows Islamic dietary laws, would not eat pork.
It is important to note that dietary choices are not just influenced by religion but also by personal philosophy and cultural background. Although in places like the United States, meat consumption is widespread and deemed as a valuable food category, globally, there are diverse opinions and practices surrounding the consumption of different types of meats, including various cultural taboos.