Lent, one of the long positions of the Orthodox Church, comes immediately after the Carnival and lasts seven weeks, during which believers disclaim any animal food.As long refrain from Skoromniy dishes is very difficult, therefore, to those who are fasting for the first time, you need to learn how to hold the post.
First of all, let's talk about the meaning of Lent.Do not confuse it with diet.Fasting, believers follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who spent forty days in the wilderness, eating only plant foods.Fasting, a person repents of his sins and learns to resist the temptation.However, the post cleanses not only the soul but also the body of the person.During the long cold winter we get used to the fat and high-calorie food, so the spring body "overloaded" with unnecessary fats and carbohydrates.Here comes in Lent, to help our body to get rid of all the excess.However, before embarking on a post, it is necessary to know its basic rules, how to fast, so as not to cause harm to your body.
not eating animal food, we deprive ourselves of the set body needs nutrients and vitamins, the main of which is a protein.Fortunately, the meat - are not the only source of protein, lots in soybeans, mushrooms, beans and peas.Dishes from these products successfully replace meat.Talking about how fast it is worth mentioning that, by refusing to meat, milk and fish, we lose not only protein, but also calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.Iron deficiency can be compensated by means of nuts, pumpkin, rose hips, celery, bell pepper, and herbs such as parsley, cilantro and dill.There is iron in cranberries raspberries and cranberries.The rest of the minerals the body to get along with barley and amaranth porridge, as well as with products from soy milk.
fish and other "sea inhabitants" during Lent allowed only twice, and in fact seafood - the main source of iodine for our body.Lack of iodine and other elements will help make up seaweed.Not only kelp polyunsaturated fats, which we also need.To make up for the lack of them, it is recommended to fill vegetable salads unrefined rapeseed or linseed oil.Knowing how fast, you will bring no harm, and benefit your body.
now turn directly to Lent.In addition to the general laws of fasting, there are rules that are unique to it.Thus, we consider in more detail how to fast in Lent.During the first and last - Passion - Week of Lent practiced very strict abstinence.Food should be eaten raw, bread - just lean, and no tea or compote.No product that appears on the table in these days, should not undergo heat treatment.On other days of fasting you can eat only vegetarian food.Vegetarian dishes flavored sunflower oil only at the weekend.Mussels, squid, shrimp and other seafood are not considered fish, so some believers eat them on Sunday and Saturday.To fish days are only Palm Sunday and the Annunciation.
Of course, throughout the post should refrain from drinking, smoking and sexual activity.Abstinence cleanse the body, daily prayer, confession and communion to cleanse the soul and strengthen the will of man.
From that, how fast, depends on the future of health, so the chronically ill, nursing and pregnant women, children, and those who are going on a long journey, fasting is not recommended.But patients with angina or acute respiratory viral infections, people with diseases of the joints, high cholesterol and a tendency to be overweight position will help eliminate health problems.
