Recently, there has been a revival of interest in religion, the Russians are rediscovering those centuries-old traditions that still could not be eradicated during the years of Soviet power, and are trying to follow them. One of these traditions is the observance of numerous church fasts, in which believers purify not only their souls, but also their bodies, excluding junk food from their diet.
Products that are excluded during fasting
The list of products that the church forbids to eat during fasting includes everything for the production of which raw materials of animal origin were used. First of all, the ban applies to meat and any meat products, as well as poultry and eggs. Under the ban, milk and everything connected with it: butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, dairy products and drinks, cheeses. In the post it is forbidden to eat pasta, white and butter bread, cakes, cookies, waffles and any pastries that contain butter, eggs and milk. Do not forget that you can not eat mayonnaise, because eggs are also used for its preparation.
Some foods, such as fish and vegetable oil, can only be eaten on fasting days that are considered non-strict, although vegetable oil is not of animal origin. The ban also applies to chocolate and fast food, which are high in fat. In the post you can not drink alcoholic beverages, including beer.
Fasting by day of the week
On some days of the week, fasting may be more strict, and on some, including those falling on church holidays, some concessions can be allowed. So, Monday, Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting, dry eating. These days you can use only those products that have not been cooked, the addition of vegetable oil is also excluded. On strict fasting days, you can only eat brown bread, vegetables and fruits, washed down with water or unsweetened compote. If you are making salads these days, you can use only lemon juice mixed with a little honey to fill.
During fasting, you should not starve, especially if before that you did not deny yourself food. This is fraught with problems with bile secretion and erosive processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hot meals can be eaten on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but these days it is forbidden to add oil to them. But Saturday and Sunday are days of relaxation, when you can finally fry fish or vegetables in vegetable oil and add it to salads.
Proper nutrition during fasting
And during fasting, your diet can be healthy. Replace animal protein in the diet with foods that contain plant-based proteins. First of all, these are mushrooms and legumes: lentils, beans, peas, chickpeas. The missing fats are found in nuts, while iron is found in apples, buckwheat, and bananas.
Remember that, observing religious fasts, you should not immediately fall into the sin of gluttony after their completion, it is harmful not only for the soul, but also for health.
Nursing mothers and sick people are allowed to eat milk and milk products during fasting. Those who suffer from diabetes mellitus, renal failure, anemia and a weakened immune system are allowed to eat meat, not counting it as a sin.
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