Learning about Catholic is complicated when you're from the Buddhist family since young. There will be question, where How do I fast? What can be eaten?

It is the Lent Season. It will be my first Lent before Baptism. After much reading and researching, it is life saving that I found this article from another convert, Britanny Ann.

That’s it! While the season of Lent is a 40-day period (46 if you count Sundays) leading up to Easter, you only have to follow the Catholic Lent fasting rules on 8 days total. That’s 2 days of fasting and 8 days of abstaining from meat. Every other day during Lent, you eat like normal. No changes needed.

So, what exactly do we mean by “fasting” and “abstinence?”

During Lent, “fasting” means eating less than usual so that you can devote more time and energy to prayer, reflection, penance, charity (almsgiving), and spiritual growth.

Fasting does not mean you can’t eat anything all day. Rather, you can eat one full meal and two smaller meals throughout the day, as long as your total intake is less than two regular meals. Snacking in between these smaller meals is not allowed.

What is Abstinence During Lent?

During Lent, “abstinence” means choosing not to eat meat or products that contain pieces of meat on certain days of abstinence.

According to the Catholic Lent rules, Catholics 14 years of age and older are required to practice abstinence (no meat) on Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent and Good Friday (unless a solemnity falls on one of those days). This doesn’t include all animal products, however.

What Can You Eat During Lent?

Catholics are allowed to eat all of the following foods during Lent:

• Fish 
• Eggs 
• Any Fruits 
• Any Vegetables 
• Dairy products (milk, butter, and yogurt) 
• Any Grains (noodles, breads, and donuts)

What Can’t You Eat During Lent?

Catholics are not allowed to eat the following foods on Ash Wednesday or Fridays during Lent:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Pork
• Ham
• Deer
• Lamb
• Buffalo

Who is Exempt from the Lenten Fasting Rules?

For most people, abstaining from meat and fasting for a few meals according to the Catholic Lent rules really isn’t that much of a sacrifice. For others, however, following the Catholic fasting rules could pose serious health problems. If that’s you, don’t worry.
The Catholic Church does offer plenty of exemptions.
For example, the following people are all exempt from fasting and abstaining during Lent:

• Children
• Anyone age 60 years of age or older
• Pregnant and nursing mothers
• Those who are frail
• Individuals of “unsound mind”
• Manual laborers who need to eat to have the strength to work
• People who cannot fast or abstain for health reasons (diabetes, for example)
• And even guests whose refusal to eat would greatly offend their dinner host!

Frequently Asked Questions Catholic Lent Fasting Rules

1. Do You Fast Everyday During Lent?

Catholics only fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during Lent, not every day. Catholics fast by eating one regular meal and two small meals (that equal less than one regular meal) with no snacks in between. Fasting does not mean no food all day, and fasting is not a requirement if the Friday falls on a Solemnity.

2. Can Catholics Eat Meat on Ash Wednesday?

Catholics do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, or Fridays during Lent. Instead, they fast and abstain from meat in order to spend more time in prayer or to give more generously to the poor.

3. When Can You Eat Meat During Lent?

Catholics can eat meat on all days during Lent except Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent. Catholics are only required to abstain from meat on these eight days. All the other days (and on all Solemnities), they may eat like normal.

4. Can you Eat Chicken on Fridays During Lent?

Catholics do not eat chicken on Fridays during Lent, Good Friday, or Ash Wednesday. This includes large pieces of chicken, such as chicken wings, chicken casseroles, or chicken legs. However, Catholics can have eggs and liquid chicken broth (without pieces of meat) during Lent (and on all Solemnities).

5. Can You Eat Eggs During Lent?

Catholics can eat eggs during Lent. Because eggs are not the “fleshy” part of the animal, eggs do not count as meat for Lent.

6. Can You Have Dairy Products During Lent?

Catholics can have dairy products during Lent, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese. Animal products are fine. The Catholic fasting rules only require Catholics to avoid the flesh meat of animals, not all animal products or derivatives.

7. Can You Eat Chicken Stock / Beef Broth / Turkey Gravy During Lent?

As a general rule, most Catholics believe you can eat chicken stock, beef broth, turkey gravy, and other similar condiments during Lent, as long as you are only eating the juices from the animals, not the meat (flesh) itself, but not everyone agrees. You will want to ask your local priest for a definitive answer on this one.

8. Can You Eat Fish During Lent?

Catholics can eat fish during Lent. While the reasons are unclear, Catholics do not consider seafood (fish, shrimp, crab, lobster) as meat during Lent. This is why Friday fish fries and clam chowder are so popular on Fridays of Lent!

9. Is Fish Meat? Why Isn’t Fish Considered Meat During Lent?

There are several theories why fish is not considered “meat” according to the Catholic Lent Fasting Rules.
For example, some have suggested that it’s because fish are cold-blooded (while cows and chickens are warm blooded). Others have suggested that it’s due to the fact that fish used to be common, while steaks were rare. Others believe it rule was invented–at least in part–to help the fish economy in the 16th century.

What CAN You Eat on Fridays During Lent?

You can eat a wide variety of simple, meatless meals, such as pancakes, eggs, spaghetti, cheese pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salad, vegetable soup, fish, shrimp and more. In fact, here’s a list of 50 Easy Lent Recipes You’ll Love to Make.