The Advent begins on November 28th and ends on January 6th. On the Nativity Fast, believers are preparing to celebrate the bright holiday of the Nativity of Jesus Christ the Savior. It is generally accepted that the establishment of fasting serves to ensure that we come to the day of the Nativity of Christ with an open heart, a bright soul and a cleansed body.
Following the fast – a very serious and important step, and this should not be treated as a temporary restriction in nutrition, and even more so not as a means for losing weight. First of all, it is necessary to fully realize its moral significance: the subjugation of the flesh for spiritual purification. It is believed that mental inaction – a far greater sin than not fasting.
The Church prescribes during fasting to observe abstinence and moderation even in fasting foods. It is also important in what state you prepare and eat food. Avoid any negative emotions: if you are annoyed, angry or upset, the dish will not benefit, it will not be digested well.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday of Advent, fish, wine and oil are forbidden by the charter. On the rest of the days – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - it is allowed to eat food with unrefined vegetable oil. Fish is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, on temple holidays and on the days of great saints, if these days fall on a Tuesday or Thursday. From January 2, fasting is intensified, and these days, even on Saturday and Sunday, the fish is not blessed.
Strict abstinence from animal food for several weeks, and especially the abrupt beginning and abrupt end of fasting, can significantly harm the health of an unprepared person. It is necessary to enter the post, as well as exit it gradually.
What to include in the lenten menu
1. Make your diet varied. If we limit ourselves in some food, then the rest of the menu should be very diverse. So, for example, so that the body still receives proteins and essential amino acids, alternate fish (on days when it is allowed), seafood and legumes, add soy products. To maintain the balance of essential fatty acids, cook not only in olive oil, but also pumpkin, linseed, walnut.
2. Follow the work of the intestines. Oatmeal is quite capable of regulating the work of the intestines, and sauerkraut will help maintain the microflora.
3. Don't overweight. Mechanically removing animal products from the menu, we often fill in the gaps with pastries, potatoes and pasta. As a result, at the end of the fast, some find a significant increase in weight. Include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, rather than complex carbohydrates. Eat no more than 200 g of fish at a time, the body will not absorb more protein.
4. Consider the glycemic index. When it's dark and cold outside, you crave fatter, sweeter, and hotter food. In order not to add inches to your waist in the end, choose cereals, legumes, fruits with a low glycemic index.
5. Use oil in cereals. An additional amount of healthy vegetable fats can be obtained from nuts, seeds. Add flax seeds to vegetable salad or even oatmeal. On the days of Advent, when the food is not seasoned with oil, they will give you the required amount of vegetable fats. To help you – nuts, seeds, flaxseed. Not everyone likes flaxseed porridge, so flax seeds can be added to oatmeal.
How to eat during fasting if you get sick during fasting?
If there are serious health problems, then fasting can be weakened. Fasting is allowed not to be observed by children, pregnant women, the sick (including those with chronic diseases) and travelers away from home.
Can I drink alcohol during fasting?
During multi-day fasts, a stricter fast is prescribed for some days, and some relaxation is allowed on other days. So, alcoholic drinks in moderation are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on the days of the celebration of the memory of the most revered saints.
If, when visiting relatives or friends, they treat you with completely non-lean dishes, what should you do in this case?
It happens that the refusal to eat something, especially prepared for you, can be perceived by the owners of the table as an insult and cause offense. In such a case, it is better to sacrifice one day of fasting than human relationships.
Specialist comment
Viktor Yuzichinsky, full member of the Mayer International Society of Physicians (Austria), Deputy Director for Medical Affairs of the sanatorium "Puscha Ozernaya"
Here are some tips for those who keep the Advent Lent
1. Avoid dehydration.
- Plentiful drink. At least 1.2-1.5 liters of fluid per day.
- Liquid intake must be uniform! You do not need to drink a glass at the same time, especially if you do not really want to drink. It is better to take a few sips every 15-20 minutes.
- Be sure to drink plenty when you feel thirsty.
- Drinking only water is tiring, it gets boring quickly. It is very good to add uzvars, compotes from dried fruits in addition to water. By the way, the ingredients of compote or uzvar can be eaten, they are of great benefit, being a supplier of micro and macro elements, fiber, pectin substances.
2. Cook porridges in a little more water than usual so that they are not dry.
It is undesirable to use refined instant cereals ("Bystrov", etc.). Ordinary oatmeal, buckwheat are much healthier.
3. Don't overdo the salt!
Treat your food with herb-based spices to reduce the amount of salt.
4. On fasting days, when oil is allowed, use flaxseed, pumpkin, sesame. These oils are much more balanced in terms of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than sunflower and olive oils. True, it will take some time to get used to their peculiar taste, but the result will exceed expectations!
Source estet-portal.com
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