Good Friday: Fasting when you're already dieting...
katysmelly
Posts: 380 Member
I'm trying to plan what I'll eat on Good Friday in such a way that I follow the rules in both letter and spirit. I'm curious to hear what others are doing - or what you may have done on Ash Wednesday.
The rules for Latin Rite Catholics are:
No meat.
Fasting, which means one full meal and two snacks that do not quite equal a meal. Unlike the Eucharistic fast, which is nothing but water for one hour before receiving communion, you can have caloric beverages on days of fasting and abstinence.
It would probably be "cheating" to drink thick milkshakes or something like that, but if you're aiming to quench your thirst, then it's OK to have milk or juice or coffee or tea.
Now, I don't really know how to stay within the spirit of Lent - which is to suffer a little for penance - and still maintain a healthy diet. It doesn't do anybody any good if I get dizzy or crabby and yell at my kids. Also, I'm not sure what a normal meal is for me... I don't eat three meals a day - I eat about five small meals a day. I don't think I'd do well on one of those five small meals, then two really small snacks.
I *think* what I'll do is have one substantial meal (probably fried eggs with baked beans and buttered toast with a glass of milk) and two snacks of slices of peanut butter toast and glasses of milk. I normally drink skim milk, but I think I'll drink the kids' whole milk in order to keep my blood sugar somewhat level.
I'll still feel hungry - especially as I'm going to exercise as usual - but I will try to eat at least 1000-1200 calories.
The rules for Latin Rite Catholics are:
No meat.
Fasting, which means one full meal and two snacks that do not quite equal a meal. Unlike the Eucharistic fast, which is nothing but water for one hour before receiving communion, you can have caloric beverages on days of fasting and abstinence.
It would probably be "cheating" to drink thick milkshakes or something like that, but if you're aiming to quench your thirst, then it's OK to have milk or juice or coffee or tea.
Now, I don't really know how to stay within the spirit of Lent - which is to suffer a little for penance - and still maintain a healthy diet. It doesn't do anybody any good if I get dizzy or crabby and yell at my kids. Also, I'm not sure what a normal meal is for me... I don't eat three meals a day - I eat about five small meals a day. I don't think I'd do well on one of those five small meals, then two really small snacks.
I *think* what I'll do is have one substantial meal (probably fried eggs with baked beans and buttered toast with a glass of milk) and two snacks of slices of peanut butter toast and glasses of milk. I normally drink skim milk, but I think I'll drink the kids' whole milk in order to keep my blood sugar somewhat level.
I'll still feel hungry - especially as I'm going to exercise as usual - but I will try to eat at least 1000-1200 calories.
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As with Good Friday, I won't exercise (and that's a sacrifice too). I will do 1 full meal and 2 half meals with no snacks. I expect between 1200-1400 calories. My usual is about 1700.0
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I always thought there was something in there about the one full meal being after sundown? not sure where I got that. or maybe last meal of the day. I'll try for 2 snacks and one meal at night, but if I turn into werewolf-by-night at work I'll have something else.0
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I always thought there was something in there about the one full meal being after sundown? not sure where I got that. or maybe last meal of the day. I'll try for 2 snacks and one meal at night, but if I turn into werewolf-by-night at work I'll have something else.
Re: eating after sundown - were you thinking of Ramadan? I've never heard it for Catholics. I like having my meal midday and then halve what I would normally eat for breakfast and snack for my other two eating times.
Happy Easter!0 -
I stand corrected- but first, WHY WOULD I POST ABOUT RAMADAN IN AN EASTER THREAD? the New Key to Heaven says one meal, not to be taken before noon. I think I was mixing that up in my head with Christmas Eve feasts (my favorite meal of the year) many many fish... and we eat in the evening. I fast on Christmas Eve until the fish comes out of the fryer.I always thought there was something in there about the one full meal being after sundown? not sure where I got that. or maybe last meal of the day. I'll try for 2 snacks and one meal at night, but if I turn into werewolf-by-night at work I'll have something else.
Re: eating after sundown - were you thinking of Ramadan? I've never heard it for Catholics. I like having my meal midday and then halve what I would normally eat for breakfast and snack for my other two eating times.
Happy Easter!0 -
"I stand corrected- but first, WHY WOULD I POST ABOUT RAMADAN IN AN EASTER THREAD? the New Key to Heaven says one meal, not to be taken before noon. I think I was mixing that up in my head with Christmas Eve feasts (my favorite meal of the year) many many fish... and we eat in the evening. I fast on Christmas Eve until the fish comes out of the fryer."
No offense meant. I thought maybe you just got confused. The only time I've heard about not eating during the day is for Ramadan - so I thought maybe you were just confused. I really, really, meant no offense. Also, I googled "Key to Heaven," it seems to be a Christian, but not Catholic site. Or perhaps, I don't understand what the New Key to Heaven is.
I wish you joy at Easter.0 -
no offense taken honey, honest. the new key to heaven. ultra catholic book. very old, probably over 50 or 60 years. I found one years ago-i'd moved it from my parents house and never looked at it... along with, you know, stuff in bottom drawers. was sick a few years ago and rummaging around ran across it. it's about 3 inches wide by 5 inches tall, mother of pearl cover, gilded pages...wonderful prayer book.. but definitely from late 40s early 50s. amazon has one with no picture."I stand corrected- but first, WHY WOULD I POST ABOUT RAMADAN IN AN EASTER THREAD? the New Key to Heaven says one meal, not to be taken before noon. I think I was mixing that up in my head with Christmas Eve feasts (my favorite meal of the year) many many fish... and we eat in the evening. I fast on Christmas Eve until the fish comes out of the fryer."
No offense meant. I thought maybe you just got confused. The only time I've heard about not eating during the day is for Ramadan - so I thought maybe you were just confused. I really, really, meant no offense. Also, I googled "Key to Heaven," it seems to be a Christian, but not Catholic site. Or perhaps, I don't understand what the New Key to Heaven is.
I wish you joy at Easter.
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oh and it's new key OF heaven
picture is inside cover0 -
I did look up fasting in the Catechism, but didn't see anything regarding when to eat the meal.0
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I was thinking about keeping to 1200 calories. I will not each fish tomorrow as I love it and that is not a sacrifice for me. I am thinking of eating other non meat items. I am thinking an apple with peanut butter for breakfast, some vegetables for lunch and maybe a grilled cheese or salad for supper. No snacks at all, which will be hard for me as I usually do snack on a few nuts or a piece of fruit mid morning.
I Lector at the Good Friday service, so I will be to church early and try to get a rosary in before the tabernacle.0 -
this had its first imprinting 1947, second 1952-published by the regina press in nyc. Pre vatican II- i checked a couple of sites on line too, and they didn't mention time.I did look up fasting in the Catechism, but didn't see anything regarding when to eat the meal.0 -
I'm not eating. It won't hurt me to fast for one day. Also, we have 3 hours of services, so the kids and I should be there the whole time- my son's an altar server, and we always stay all the way through. (as we do for Holy Thursday, also.)
But if you're looking for light food, miso soup or some california rolls would work. Maybe a small bowl or oatmeal or a plain green salad.
I have a Key to Heaven, also!0 -
We have a very simple breakfast Then we always have boiled egg sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch. Fish and chips in the evening...No snacks or anything else. No TV . Stations of the Cross and 3 pm veneration of the cross...0
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Should have added really pleased to find this group[ thanks Beth followed your link:flowerforyou: ]. Will replace bread with ryvita, no soup and fishcake rather than fish.......:0
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it's a wonderful little thing isn't it? and It seems odd to see 'indulgences' liste! .... only 60 years ago ( I'm 52) it was a different world . I was young when vatican II hit, so grew up knowing nothing else...I love this little book.. and it's so pretty.
I have a Key to Heaven, also!0 -
500 calories is my limit. I usually have 1200-1300. I will take those at about 2 hour intervals throughout the day because I have blood sugar problems. So: apple, followed 2 hours later by oatmeal, followed by a small quinoa salad (200 cal), ryvita and home made veggie soup, a rutabaga, a zuchini, dates and an early bed.
It is the Orthodox Church that fasts from sun-up to sun-down. I used to work with some Greek girls, who would not have a thing to eat all day on their Good Friday. This echoes the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur when my Jewish friends don't eat all day either.0
