Foods to eat during Catholic Lent?

Question

I need a long list of foods and snacks I could eat during lent. This is my first time REALLY TRULY attempting the whole 40 days, and in the past I couldnt finish my goal because I ran out of foods to eat. sounds horrible, doesnt it? but I am dedicated to it this year, and I would like to know all the things I can eat. I would appreciate it! thanks!

Answer 1

The only requirement for Lent typically involves abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday, and partial fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, limiting yourself to only one standard size meal, and up to two smaller "snacks" throughout the day, as necessary to avoid illness.

You may then choose to add whatever you like to this basic regimen.

This may also vary somewhat by diocese, according to the guidance of your bishop.

You should have received a copy of the official Lenten regulations from your church this past week.

If not, stop by and request a copy.

Also, Sunday remains a feast day, even during Lent. No fasting or abstinance is required on Sunday, the Lord's Day.

On Sundays, you can eat whatever you choose.

Answer 2

Eat what you want.
Coptic Catholics don't eat or drink between sunrise and sunset, so they get up early for a nice breakfast, and then have a nice dinner.
I'm from Ukrainian Catholic tradition, and the "eat no meat" during Wednesday and Friday all year round except during compact weeks was adhered to. If you accidentally forgot what day it was, all you had to do was say an "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" The last day of Lent was the most strict, as is Christmas Eve, where no dairy or meat products were allowed.

However, fish is okay, use margarine instead of butter, (no mayo if it's made with eggs), any kind of fruit or vegetable. A whole protein can be made from a combination of grains. Corn and rice for example, and of course, bean curd is a whole protein on its own. So are any type of nuts.

Alcohol is not acceptable during Lent, and my dad used to quit smoking as well. No movies and more prayers, thank you very much. Not sure I've helped any.

"Lent" is in the bible. John the Baptist spent so many days in the desert, and Jesus himself, before He began his public ministry, went into the wilderness for 40 days. If rumour be true, those two ate bugs. (Locusts and wild honey) But they WERE boys. And there were 40 days before the Ascension of Christ after His resurrection.

True Christians live by not only what Jesus said, but also by the example He showed us.

Answer 3

I was raised Catholic (but no longer Catholic), and I was taught that before the Second Vatican Council, Catholics were required to abstain from meat every Friday, as a form of penance in honor of the death of Jesus Christ Good Friday and to "honor" many of the Apostles who were fishermen. Under current Church law (worked out at the Second Vatican Council), the days of abstinence fall during Lent, the season of spiritual preparation for Easter. On Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays of Lent, Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from meat and from foods made with meat. Many older Catholics (like my grandparents) still abstained from any meat on ALL Fridays even after the rule was changed. When I was in college, I learned that the real reason behind the "no meat Fridays" was the result of a Pope's effort to give a boost to the fishing economy. The Church spun it to make people think the rule was to represent a sacrifice, but it really was to help out fishermen. (I can't remember the Pope that initiated the rule nor the year the rule was added to Catholic practice--and I apologize for not being able to provide an official source--I'm going from memory). At the time the class discussion revolved around why couldn't the Pope just be honest with the people--the fishing industry was struggling--and let's do our part, etc.

Answer 4

There's actually no list of foods to eat. Rather, there's a list of what NOT to eat.

No meats on wednesday & fridays during lent.
No pork at all throughout the entire 40 days.

For the hardcore catholics, there's fasting on fridays during lent. And there's definitely no work, party or drinking on fridays (in other word, OBSERVE THE SABBATH)

Lent is not really about food, though. It's about sacrifising something important to you as a show of faith and loyalty to god. It's a time of prayer and spiritual awareness.

God bless.

Answer 5

Catholic here:

The traditional venue is to abstain from meat on Fridays. Most of us today (especially in Louisiana, where I live) usually replace any kind of meat portion with seafood, and we call this fasting. This practice actually came from a time when eating beef was a luxury, so to go without it was a big deal. Today we can eat steak 7 days a week, or find other meals to easily replace it. If you want to do this right, I suggest limiting yourself to one or two meals on Fridays. No snacks in between, provided your health permits. You should feel hungry most of the day.

Go to EWTN.com, Catholic Answers.com, and other Catholic websites for the basic rules and regs.

God bless you, and especially so during this wonderfully holy time of year.

Answer 6

You can eat anything you want except meat on Friday.

If you really want to observe Lent you can pick a day each week to fast. Go on line and find out some of the rules for fasting.

If you want to eliminate something from your diet such as chocolate or ice cream that's your decision.

Answer 7

Lent isn't in the bible.