Vegetarian for Lent?

[Upgrade25]

I love eating meat. However, i realize that it means that i could go vegetarian for Lent as a penance. However, should I talk to a doctor first? Some Eastern Christian Churches still do this, and they turn out fine?

 

[puzzledtoo]

Greetings,
See a doctor if you feel the need to or if your folks want you to. Becoming vegetarian for lent would in my view be a great idea. You write you love to eat meat. Do you have meat everyday, most days of the week? No need to answer just think about it. Often when people think of trying vegetarianism they believe they will not get enough protein without meat. Not so. There are many ways to get protein without meat.
I’m primarily vegetarian. I have no issues with protein at all. What I mean by primarily vegetarian is that I’ll have cow’s milk on occasion mostly almond milk though. I’ll have cheese several times each week though trying to cut down on that a bit. I’ll have fish maybe once or twice a year-depending on if I catch some or not. I have nuts of some sort every day and beans of some sort at least once every two weeks-probably should to this more. I have 2-4 eggs each week to keep my iron level up-have medical issues absorbing some nutrients such as iron so the eggs work for me.
Even if you gave up meat altogether for lent if you stayed with eggs, cheese, nuts and beans you’d be fine I’m sure-barring any medical issues that is.
It is my understanding that Catholics may let go of their voluntary Lenten observance on each Sunday of lent so if you decided to do this there is nothing in your religion(I believe) that would keep you from eating meat on Sunday.
I say give it a try and if you only last a couple of weeks at least you’ve tried something different. I gave up meat as in cow, pig, chicken, etc… due to health reasons and found it to be quite easy. Much easier than I thought as I was pretty much a carnivore and ate minimal veggies. I’ve never been big on fish so that wasn’t an issue. I became primarily vegetarian while in my late 40’s.
You’ve plenty of time-talk to your folks, doctor, whomever, and if you try it for lent learn about ways to do it healthily. There are plenty of vegetarians that compete in many different sports nowadays-vegans as well. Blessings on your journey.

 

[E_7]

You can always ask your doctor, but it’s safe to be vegetarian as long as you take B Complex vitamins, in my opinion and exp.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Giving up meat on Fridays is difficult enough.

Get woozy sometimes.

Crave a juicy hamburger. Or sausage and eggs for breakfast.

Fish is ok, but not the same, no matter how expensive the fish might be.

As one of my confessors said to me, “Quit trying to be holier than the Church.”

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I love eating meat. However, i realize that it means that i could go vegetarian for Lent as a penance. However, should I talk to a doctor first? Some Eastern Christian Churches still do this, and they turn out fine?

If you are only 14, you are still growing … you need proper nutrition.

Wait until you are 21 and living on your own.

And even then, only do a major fast with a doctor’s supervision.

You don’t really know yet what nutrition your body needs.

[Also, read up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church what a penance is. You may not be able to … “allowed to” … engage in a penance … strictly speaking … without the supervision of your confessor.]

 

[PaulfromIowa]

If you eat meat most days, going without it for Lent would be a major, major change. I would try it out for a month before committing to such a Lenten sacrifice.

 

[Pilgrim_333]

I have given up meat for Lent and it can be very tough but it is only 40 days and there are protein alternatives. However, it isn’t advisable to undertake something like this if you foresee that the difficulty may outweigh the spiritual benefits. For instance, you may find yourself bemoaning your choice and counting the days until you can eat meat again instead of drawing closer to Christ. Perhaps you could choose to read the Gospel each day or pray an additional Rosary (or pray one if it isn’t something you normally do)–something of a spiritual nature. If you can give up meat as well go for it!

 

[Rosebud77]

Prefer the Isaiah definition of fasting…

biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2058

especially

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

as for meat; I never touch it and have not done so for years. Nothing special about it and my family in days past rarely afforded it. Protein is in many sources. I never asked a dr etc

I would be concerned these days re the amount of chemicals , vet meds especially in red meat in the US. This comes with intensive farming.

 

[Isca]

I eat very little meat (ham in small amounts, mostly), no fish, no poultry and no meat at all on Fridays. A diet rich in vegetables, fruit and grains is fine for me, but I’m in my late-50s. However, I’ve never eaten much meat at any stage of my life, although I come from a family of meat-eaters.

I’m fairly confident that a meat-free diet for Lent wouldn’t do a teenager any harm at all, but if you have any doubts, why not substitute fish for meat and remember to include cheese? Fish is a great source of protein, is low in saturated fat and has many valuable oils and vitamins.

It’s not like you’re considering becoming a permanent vegan at 14. However, as I doubt you do the cooking in your house, all this might cause some extra work for whoever is the family chef!