In many religions there is a ritual of abstaining from food or following certain food restrictions. In Christianity, the most famous fast is Great Lent, which lasts 48 days before Easter. The rules for observing fasting are quite complex: on different days there are various restrictions, sometimes eating is generally prohibited. In addition, it is important to remember that fasting is done primarily to cleanse the soul.
Purpose of the post
The purpose of fasting is to begin the fight against sin by abstaining from food, to embark on the path of spiritual development, and to give up bad thoughts and actions. You cannot adhere to fasting just because it is fashionable or good for your health: in one case it is a useless and even harmful waste of time, and in the other, fasting turns into a regular diet, although in fact it is not limited to a set of certain restrictions on food. Many priests say that during fasting it is better to refrain from negative thoughts, but to eat meat than vice versa.
If rejection of the usual food causes aggression and anger, then there is no point in fasting.
People who are fasting for the first time, those who do not have the habit of restricting themselves in food, people with poor health and other restrictions can adhere to the fast, based on their capabilities. The priests bless pregnant women, nursing mothers, sick people to indulge in fasting. After all, a sharp rejection of the usual food can lead to health problems and exacerbation of some diseases.
Fasting according to strict church rules is prohibited for patients with gastrointestinal diseases, children and adolescents under 14 years of age.
Fasting rules
Lent consists of the so-called forty days, a fast of 40 days, and Holy Week. During this time, you cannot eat dairy and meat products, eggs, fish and any dishes containing these products, although some days are made small exceptions. For example, on Annunciation or Palm Sunday they cook fish, and on the eve of Palm Sunday, you can eat caviar. There are, on the contrary, more severe days - for example, on Monday of the first week of fasting or on Friday during Holy Week, believers do not eat anything.
During the fast, it is allowed to eat nuts, honey, jams, vegetables and fruits, as well as soy products, which are excellent substitutes for meat and dairy products. It is advisable to include in the menu legumes that make up for the lack of animal protein.
It is very important to monitor the calorie intake during fasting, it should remain at the same level as before the restrictions. Fasting is not a diet, you need to eat varied and satisfying. Do not forget to drink freshly squeezed juices, green tea, mineral water. Pickles are allowed during Lent, but don't get carried away with them. It is very important to get out of fasting correctly in Easter week - do not overeat, introduce foods into the diet gradually, and observe moderation.
