Why were the Jews given strict laws concerning what they ate?

The Israelites were given a very strict law code on what foods they were to eat and not to eat (Leviticus 11).  God gave them these restrictions for a couple of reasons.  First, they were to be different than all the other people on the planet.  They were to be set apart as the children of God and this was one way to show this (Leviticus 26:12).  Second, God was providing a healthy diet for them.  The animals and the way they were to be prepared are marks of a healthy diet for the Israelites.  God had His reasons for why the Israelites were limited the way they were; but thank God that we don’t have to worry about that and He has lifted the law from us (1 Timothy 4:4; Galatians 3:13).