On March 7, Eastern Rite Christians begin Great Lent, which will last until April 23. The meaning of fasting is spiritual cleansing, repentance and preparation for Easter. During fasting, it is necessary to refuse food of animal origin, avoid conflicts and go to the temple more often.

Preparing for Lent: What you need to know.

Before the start of Lent, you should ask for blessings from the priest, confess and take communion. It should be remembered that fasting is not only a restriction in food, but also spiritual cleansing.. Therefore, at this time one should not wish evil to others, it is necessary to avoid conflicts, showdown. During Lent, more attention should be paid to humility and prayers.

An important aspect is also consultation with a doctor, since some people may have medical contraindications for strict fasting.. It should be noted that young children and pregnant women should not fast because it can be dangerous for their health..

You should prepare for Lent in advance, since a sharp rejection of the usual food can harm the body. Therefore, certain types of foods should be gradually eliminated from the diet..

For example, you can first minimize the consumption of meat and sweets, and then give up fried foods..

It is necessary to think over the lean menu in detail so that the body receives a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other nutrients.. The daily norm of protein for the average person is 1 g per 1 kg of body weight.. Most of the protein is found in plant foods such as mushrooms, spirulina, nuts, spinach, legumes, some types of cabbage.

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Great post: what foods you can eat.

In fasting, the use of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, cereals, seeds, nuts, seaweed is allowed..

You can also eat flour products that do not contain butter, milk and eggs.. It is not forbidden to use canned or pickled vegetables, ketchup, adjika, soy sauce, lean mayonnaise.

During Lent, you can eat some low-fat sweets (marmalade, dried fruits, cookies) and honey.

You can add vegetable oil on strict days of fasting, and on Palm Sunday and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary you are allowed to eat fish and seafood.

What Not to Eat During Lent.

Meat and meat products.

Eggs.

Any dairy products.

Fatty sweets and pastries.

Chocolate.

Fast food.

Alcohol.

During Lent, it is recommended to eat small portions of food.. Priests advise not to overeat plant foods. It is better to eat a small piece of meat if you really want it than to eat a lot of mushrooms or nuts.

What not to do in Lent.

March 7 on Clean Monday is forbidden to eat all day.

Our ancestors believed that everything that they did not have time to eat on Maslenitsa should be given to animals.

From March 8 to March 11 (Tuesday to Friday) no processed foods - only raw food is allowed.

Christians during fasting should refrain from visiting entertainment venues, watching funny movies and TV shows.. At this time, you can not arrange weddings and high-profile holidays.

In Lent you can not quarrel, slander, conflict.