What you eat during Lent of Santa Maria. Culinary preparations for breakfast, lunch and dinner

According to the Christian tradition, fasting is the oldest commandment given by God.

Most of the time, people think of fasting as abstaining from animal products, but fasting is more than that.

During the fasting period, people draw close to God, which means that in addition to refraining from eating sweets, people need to change their behavior, not speak ill, not gossip, not lie, and be calm and patient with those around you.

Likewise, during the two weeks, the faithful pray to the Mother of God and especially read the Akathist and the Mother of God Prayer.

“Fasting is a fierce battle with your own body. If you win it will do you good, otherwise know that all evils start in the stomach and the evils are the passions. This is why fasting has the following purpose: to purify the body to the point. which is no longer an obstacle for the soul. And not a miserable fighter, against the Holy Spirit “, said Father Arsenie Boca.

During the fasting period, nutritionists recommend being moderate in terms of food and not consuming products soaked in oil.

“Fasting should not be seen as a period in which you can eat a lot because the food is lighter. We do not recommend foods soaked in oil, nor those products that look like sausages or cheeses. This is not fasting. A true fast means food moderation, with fruit and vegetables, salads and especially the food of our grandmothers, cabbage, beans, potatoes “, explained the specialist in nutrition and metabolic diseases Simona Tivadar, in an interview for protv news.

The importance of fasting to detoxify the body

Daily consumption of processed foods brings a large amount of toxins to the body, which over time create problems and can even lead to disease.

People usually detox twice a year, after Easter and after the winter holidays, to take a break from heavy, high-fat meals.

According to specialists, fasting is the best method to detoxify the body, because during the period in which we do not eat animal products we can obtain multiple benefits for both the body and the mind.

Preparations consumed on an empty stomach can lead to a decrease in cholesterol, blood pressure, increased concentration and energy level, and also to the restoration of the immune system and implicitly to the relief of digestion.

The secret to effective fasting is finding recipes that provide the body with the same amount of nutrients it used to get from animal products.

Recommended foods during fasting

During the fasting period, many people choose to eat fried potatoes, rice, pasta and plant products, foods that will not bring any benefit, and will even end up with a few extra pounds.

To eat healthy during the fasting period and to provide the body with the nutrients it needs, specialists recommend introducing as many fruits and vegetables, oil seeds, quinoa, nuts, soybeans, beans, chickpeas, into the diet. lentils.

Fruits and vegetables can be eaten boiled or baked and will provide the body with the vitamins it needs to function properly.

For example, potatoes and blueberries are rich in iodine, green vegetables are rich in iron, beets contain a multitude of minerals, and mushrooms are the main vegetables during fasting because they contain a lot of nutrients.

Oilseeds are among the foods that the body needs, due to their high content of fiber, protein and essential fats (Omega-3 and Omega-6).

From the category of fatty foods we mention:
Walnuts and hazelnuts

• Almonds

• Brazilian nuts

• Cashew nuts

• Macadamia nuts

• Pecan nuts

• Sesame, pumpkin, flax and sunflower seeds

Dried fruits such as goji, figs, apricots, plums, dates, raisins and apricots are recommended during fasting due to their high fiber content.

Soy is a legume that contains countless essential amino acids, including ilsin, glutamine and tryptophan. Soy also contains lipids, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

Beans, chickpeas and lentils contain vegetable protein, vitamin B and iron.

Below are some tips from nutritionists for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lenten preparations for breakfast

1. Quinoa with dried fruit

2. Toast with hummus

3. Chia pudding

4. Oatmeal with fruit and honey

5. Guacamole

6. Banana and peanut butter sandwich

7. Bruschetta with avocado

8. Apple, pear and almond salad left in water overnight

9. Slices of bread with olive paste and rocket

10. Fruit smoothie

Fast food for lunch

1. Cream of mushroom soup

2. Pots with vegetables

3. Vegetable salad

4. Green lentil balls

5. Plate of green beans

6. Eggplant moussaka

7. Braised cabbage

8. Ratatouille

9. Peasant potatoes

10. Peppers stuffed with rice and vegetables

Lenten preparations for dinner

1. Stir-fried mushrooms with vegetables and tofu;

2. Lentil soup with croutons;

3. Lentil pasta with crackers and sautéed mushrooms;

4. Sicilian caponata with aubergines and courgettes;

5. Risotto salad with rice, vegetables and baked peanuts;

6. Sarmale with rice and vegetables;

7. Burrito with vegetables, fasting;

8. Falafel;

9. Breakfast;

10. Plate of cauliflower with peas;