Some Tips for Fasting
On March 18, 2013, Great Lent began - the longest of all multi-day fasting, which will last until May 5.
According to Christian customs, during this period people are allowed to eat according to the monastic charter. The first two and the last day of fasting is recommended not to eat anything at all, and on the remaining days it is worth limiting yourself in food and observing moderation.
During Lent, the following are prohibited: meat, alcohol, fish, eggs, pastries, milk, white bread, sweets, mayonnaise.
You can eat only fresh, salted or pickled vegetables, fresh fruits, dried fruits, jelly, tea, kvass, porridge on water, nuts, mushrooms, black bread. Moreover, for every day of the week there is a list of permitted products:
- On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, only fruits, black bread, compotes, water, vegetables are allowed;
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can eat hot food without oil - porridge on the water, stewed vegetables, soups, pickle;
- On Saturdays and Sundays, it is allowed to eat food with vegetable oil - vegetable salads, stewed vegetables, soups.
Fasting is not easy for all people, as it includes not only dietary restrictions, but also lifestyle restrictions. During fasting, a believer must cleanse not only the body, but also the soul, rethink his spiritual values, discover something new in himself. Therefore, you should not take fasting as torment and force yourself to observe it. If you are not ready, you better not start. Indeed, for seven whole weeks you will also have to forget about envy, anger, anger, carnal pleasures, fun.
But if you feel the need to fast, then a few of the following tips will help you make your life a little easier while fasting and not ruin your health:
1. Since during the fast it is forbidden to eat fish, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products, in order to avoid protein deficiency in the body, you should include in the diet plant protein - soy and all soy products, as well as cereals, nuts and seeds, coarse flour products.
2. Another reason to eat pasta, potatoes and cereals - they have energy value. These products will make you cheerful and give you strength, and, therefore, a good mood will come into your life.
3. In addition to protein foods, vegetable oils should not be neglected (of course, on the days when they can be consumed).
4. Eat at least 0.5 kg of fruits and vegetables daily.
5. For the prevention of vitamin deficiency, it is advisable to take a vitamin-mineral complex daily.
6. To avoid spring depression, be sure to include in your diet dishes of millet, lentils, brown rice, buckwheat and soybeans, and also eat bananas, dates and peanuts.
7. If you have a sweet tooth, do not neglect honey and dried fruits. In addition, they are a source of trace elements and vitamins necessary for the body.
8. Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water daily.
9. Eat at least four or even five times a day. Chew all food thoroughly - this will allow your body to quickly get used to the new plant-based diet.
10. Fasting is not yet a reason to eat foods that you do not like. If you do not like buckwheat, for example, then believe me, it will not bring any benefit to your body. Also, try to diversify your diet as much as possible. Now on the Internet you can find many recipes for lean dishes that you will want to cook not only on the day of fasting, but also on another ordinary day.
11. Do not immediately pounce on fatty and meaty foods after fasting. Introduce it into your daily diet gradually and little by little. Excessive food intake after prolonged abstinence can lead to undesirable consequences for you. Scientifically, this can be explained as follows: by the end of the fast, the body contains very few enzymes that break down animal protein, so the products of rotting proteins can knock you out of your normal work schedule for several days. It is no coincidence that boiled eggs are used for Easter. After all, this is a completely balanced product that stimulates digestion after many days of abstinence. So eat them for health.
And remember, the main thing that fasting teaches us is that the joy in life consists not in food, but in freedom from negative thoughts, evil and hatred, in love for children, family and relatives.
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