Can You Eat Fish During Lent? A Complete Guide to Lenten Fasting Rules

Most Catholics will say that eating fish on Fridays during Lent is a way to make a sacrifice. It’s kind of funny if you think about it: Some of Jesus’ closest pals were fishermen. Fish even became a sign that early Christians used to safely talk to each other and let each other know where to meet. As an important part of Catholic dinners, it seems more like a way to say “we’re Catholic; this is what we do” than a hardship.

According to authors Brian Fagan and Michael Foley, the history of our tradition of eating fish on Fridays is pretty crazy. It involves the Vikings, King Henry VIII, and finally the Filet-O-Fish. For most Catholics, though, a meal of fish has long been more important than the more decadent options that meat offers. It represents a form of asceticism or mortification. It’s “a simple meal. ”.

So, let’s talk about what we’ll be eating on Friday nights this Lent. Because over the years I’ve seen and been a part of a lot of fancy Lenten dinners that were just as good as any other meal I’ve ever eaten. Kingfish ceviche tacos, coconut macadamia-crusted salmon steaks, Lobster Thermidor. Hey, it’s not meat!.

I’ve seen and been a part of a good number of Friday Lenten dinners over the years that were just as fancy as any other meal I’ve ever eaten.

I know of nothing in the literature about Lent that says food on Fridays shouldn’t taste good. Nobody wants that. When, though, our Lent fasts start to look like this recipe site’s statement that “Fish on Good Friday doesn’t have to be a tired tradition,” Treat your guests (or yourself) to a fish dish that is both impressive and tasty. I think we might be going in the wrong direction.

Let’s get real, Catholics: Do we really believe that eating fish on Fridays is a way to make ourselves worse or show solidarity with those who have less? Or do we see it more like paying our taxes? We’ll do it, but only if we have to give up the least amount possible?

Questions like these are based on a bigger question: Why do we do the things we do during Lent? Do we avoid meat on Fridays or fast during Lent because someone told us to or because we think God wants us to? Or do we really believe that these things can help us or others?

People might wonder if these things are worth doing if we’re only doing them because someone told us to and aren’t getting anything else out of them. God didn’t give us brains, free will, the ability to pray and think about ourselves so that we would blindly do what we are told. To use a phrase from my old novice director, “If Friday fish sticks aren’t helping you find God, maybe you need to try something else.”

If fish sticks on Fridays aren’t helping you find God, maybe you need to try something else.

But another choice could be to try the Friday fast for ourselves and see if there is something waiting for us in it. As an experiment, what if on Fridays during Lent we take our time eating our meatless dinner, sit down together at the table instead of in front of the TV, and enjoy the company of each other and the taste of what we’re eating? How many times have I finished a meal and realized I barely took the time to notice its flavors? God gave us this gift—and the gift of each other. Let’s savor that.

Or, maybe we pray during our Friday meals for people we know who don’t have much or who are going through hard times, or we imagine having that meal with them. This probably works a lot better on your own than in a group. I can tell you from personal experience that eating a meal with other people in silence (no phones, no radio) can also be surprisingly meaningful. ).

Or, we could give the money we save by not eating fancy fish on Fridays to a different charity every week. We could call it our “Lenten Legal Seafood Fund.”

We could also try different things around our Friday fast, like cooking together, making it a family night or a night when we invite people over for a meal, or volunteering at a soup kitchen. We could do all of these things on different Fridays and see what works best.

However, giving up meat on Fridays doesn’t have to be just to follow the law; it could be a way to start something good for ourselves or others. That moment to take a deep breath and connect with God is something that many of us often wish we had.

At the end of the day, how we show our faith during Lent shouldn’t look like Swiss tax havens or banquets that Henry VIII would enjoy. But during Lent, we shouldn’t do things just because we have to. Instead, we should do them because they can give our lives meaning and help us grow. “Finding God through the Local Fish Fry” may not be your cup of tea (or kettle of fish). But then again it might be the perfect adventure to try this Lent.

Lent is an important season in the Christian calendar During this time, many faithful observe fasting, abstinence, and other acts of penance. But the rules on what you can and can’t eat during Lent often cause confusion Can you eat fish? Are eggs allowed? What about chicken broth?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the Lenten fasting regulations for Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Read on to learn the reasoning behind the traditional Lenten fast and get answers to the most frequently asked questions about what you can and cannot eat during Lent.

What is Lent?

Lent is the 40 day period (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates on Holy Saturday the day before Easter Sunday.

The 40 days of Lent reference the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry Christians observe Lent in imitation of Christ’s sacrifice and to spiritually prepare for the celebration of his resurrection,

Why Do Christians Fast During Lent?

Fasting and abstaining from certain foods is a longstanding Lenten tradition. But why? Here are some of the reasons:

To grow closer to God through self-denial and sacrifice, as Christ did during his 40 days of fasting.
To commemorate Christ’s suffering and death on Good Friday by abstaining on Fridays.
Fasting from luxury foods reminds us not to become dependent on material pleasures.
Hunger and sacrifice let us identify with the poor and contribute alms.
Fasting strengthens self-discipline and helps develop control over desires and habits.

So the goal isn’t just to avoid certain foods. It’s to use food fasting to focus our hearts on spiritual nourishment.

Lenten Fasting Rules for Catholics

Here are the basic fasting guidelines for Roman Catholics:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. This means only one full meal allowed plus two smaller meals that together don’t equal a full meal.
Fridays during Lent mean abstaining from meat. You can eat fish and other seafood.
The meat fast applies to Catholics ages 14 and up. The elderly, sick, pregnant, nursing, or those with special needs are exempt.
Meat is defined as the flesh and organs of warm-blooded land animals and birds.
Eggs, milk, and condiments/seasonings made from animal fat are permitted.
On days outside of Lent Fridays, Catholics can eat whatever they wish.

Fasting Rules for Orthodox Christians

For Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar, Lent falls several weeks later than Western Lent. Here are the Orthodox fasting restrictions:

Entire Lenten season abstain from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Shellfish allowed.
Weekdays in Lent, limit to two meals without oil. Fish permitted on Annunciation and Palm Sunday.
Saturdays and Sundays in Lent, wine and oil permitted. Fish allowed on Palm Sunday.
The strict fast is mandatory for all Orthodox adults and children over age 7.

So Orthodox Lenten fasting is much more stringent than Western fasting. It prohibits all animal products except shellfish for the entire 40 days.

Why Is Fish Allowed During Lent?

Since warm-blooded animals like beef, pork, and poultry are forbidden on Fridays and during Lent, cold-blooded fish and seafood are permitted. But why? Here are some of the reasons Christians eat fish during Lent:

In ancient times, fish was more accessible than red meat in coastal regions.
Refraining from meat symbolizes the blood Christ shed, while fish involves no bloodshed.
Fish is associated with several miracles of Jesus, including multiplying loaves and fish.
Fish is seen as a humble, less luxurious food than meat.

The tradition isn’t so much about eating fish as it is abstaining from foods considered indulgent. But providing the fish alternative helps faithful observe the fast.

What Are Some Common Lent Food Questions?

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about what you can eat during Lent:

Can you eat chicken?

On Lenten Fridays, no warm-blooded meat including poultry is allowed for Catholics. Chicken broth or stock is permitted. Orthodox Christians abstain from all chicken during Lent.

Are eggs allowed?

Eggs are permitted for Catholics but prohibited for the Orthodox during Lent.

Can you eat frog legs or turtle?

Yes, reptiles and amphibians are fair game on Lenten fasting days since they are cold-blooded.

Can you cook with lard or animal fat?

For Catholics, yes. For Orthodox Christians, no.

What about dairy, butter and cheese?

Dairy is allowed for Catholics but not for Orthodox observers during Lent.

So those are some of the most common Lent food questions. The rules differ for Catholics and Orthodox, so check which restrictions apply to your faith tradition.

Tips for Fasting During Lent

Here are some tips to help your Lenten fast be as spiritually enriching and meaningful as possible:

Don’t make it just about the food rules. Focus on using fasting to grow closer to God.
Get guidance from your religious leader if unsure about specifics.
Aim to fast regularly on Lent Fridays but don’t beat yourself up for slip-ups.
Break your fast gradually with healthier foods. Avoid going overboard when Lent ends.
Use simple, minimally processed ingredients to prepare meals. Avoid highly indulgent dishes.
Hydrate well and watch calorie intake if fasting multiple days per week.
Choose nutritious, fiber-rich plant-based foods like legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Cook larger batches on non-fasting days to have leftovers for fasting days.

Following these tips will help your Lenten fasting be healthy, sustainable, and meaningful.

10 Nutritious Recipes for Your Lent Meals

These recipes offer delicious, nourishing meal ideas that align with Lent fasting guidelines:

1. Baked Cod with Herbs

This baked cod recipe is a cinch to make. Just top white fish fillets with fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil, and bake until flaky.

2. Cauliflower Fried Rice

For a vegetarian Lent-friendly meal, try this delicious cauliflower “fried” rice tossed with egg, peas, and scallions.

3. Red Lentil Soup

Warm up with a cozy bowl of red lentil soup made with carrots, tomatoes, and Middle Eastern spices.

4. Broiled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Try omega-3 rich salmon topped with a creamy avocado salsa verde for your Friday fish dish.

5. Vegetarian Pad Thai

This vegetarian pad thai skips the meat in favor of tofu and gets its protein from eggs and peanuts.

6. Shrimp Scampi

Buttery garlic shrimp scampi makes a special seafood meal perfect for Lent Fridays or a nice break from fasting fare.

7. Southwest Quinoa Bowls

Build a satisfying meatless bowl with quinoa, black beans, roasted veggies, avocado, and egg.

8. Asparagus Frittata

Eggs shine in this baked asparagus frittata chock full of the spring veggie and nutty Parmesan.

9. Lentil Sloppy Joes

These flavorful sloppy joes get their protein power from lentils and quinoa instead of ground beef.

10. Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Get your Italian fix with a hearty meatless eggplant Parm baked with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.

Make the Most of Lent with Meaningful Fasting

As you can see, the Lenten fasting tradition provides a meaningful opportunity to grow spiritually through sacrifice. The simple act of fasting from foods can serve as a powerful means to focus our hearts and identify more with Christ if we practice it consciously.

While the rules on eating fish, eggs, dairy, and more may seem confusing, just check the norms for your religious tradition. Approach your Lenten fast in a spirit of humility and gratitude. And be sure to nurture your body with simple, wholesome foods to make your fast sustainable for the 40 days ahead. Wishing you a blessed Lenten journey!

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Why do we eat fish on Fridays during Lent? | Catholic Planner

Can you eat fish on Lent & Good Friday?

It’s important to note that the rules for Lent and Good Friday were developed centuries ago, when meat was the food of celebrations. Back then, fish was not considered a “celebratory” dish, and so was perfectly acceptable to eat on a day of penance. In today’s culture, however, the opposite is usually true.

Can one replace meat with lentils?

As lentils are packed with protein, they can be a very good substitute for meat, in many plant-based dishes. Lentils can be used in burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, burritos, marinara sauce, etc. Lentils have no saturated fats (as meat has), and also contain iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B, and most of the essential amino acids.

Do people eat fish fries during Lent?

A 2017 Lifeway Research survey found that 43% of people who attend church services at least once a month said they observe Lent, including 82% of Catholics who regularly attend services and 30% of Protestants. Those who observe often cook seafood or attend fish fries to eat. It’s even the reason why McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish exists.

What can you eat during Lent?

You can eat a wide variety of simple, meatless meals, such as pancakes, eggs, spaghetti, cheese pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salad, vegetable soup, fish, shrimp and more. In fact, here’s a list of 50 Easy Lent Recipes You’ll Love to Make.