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sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
characterized by abstinence:
an abstemious life.
sparing:
an abstemious diet.
Historical Examples

For this they work most energetically; living in the most abstemious manner, in order that they may not break into their hoard.
A Tramp’s Wallet William Duthie

He was however naturally of an abstemious and recluse disposition.
Imogen William Godwin

My father was an abstemious man, and although invited to stop and liquor, declined doing so.
With Axe and Rifle W.H.G. Kingston

For several years he was so abstemious that he had eaten but one meal a day.
Henry IV, Makers of History John S. C. Abbott

Indeed he was no match for Commendone, with his long training, and clean, abstemious life.
House of Torment Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull

All through their lives they should be most careful and abstemious in their diet.
Palmistry for All Cheiro

And yet, of all men, he was the most abstemious–he could drink or let it alone.
Shadow Mountain Dane Coolidge

This, with good reason, is attributed to their abstemious lives.
Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why Martha M. Allen

Chast himself, and requires his Attendants to be so.And as he is abstemious in his eating, so in the use of women.
An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies Robert Knox

abstemious in herself, and in apparel void of all vain ornaments.
No Cross, No Crown William Penn

adjective
moderate or sparing, esp in the consumption of alcohol or food; temperate
adj.

c.1600, from Latin abstemius “sober, temperate,” from ab(s)- “from” (see ab-) + stem of temetum “strong drink,” related to temulentus “drunken.” Technically, of liquor, but extended in Latin to temperance in living generally. Related: Abstemiously; abstemiousness.