“What can you eat during Lent?”
If you’re like many Catholics, it’s a question you ask yourself year after year. After all, the Roman Catholic Lent fasting rules aren’t easy to remember.
“Can you eat chicken during Lent?”
“Can you eat meat on Ash Wednesday?”
“What CAN Catholics eat during Lent???”
Personally, I grew up in a Protestant family that never celebrated Lent. (Our church didn’t either.) As a result, I never knew or thought much about it.
We worshipped Jesus and celebrated Easter (and still do), but we never did anything special or out-of-the-ordinary to prepare our hearts for Easter or the Resurrection, the way many Catholics do today with their liturgical calendar.
So when I married into a Catholic family (who DOES follow all of the Catholic Lent fasting rules), I had a lot of learning to do–and quick!
Unfortunately for me, I found the process of trying to figure out all the Catholic Lent fasting rules really confusing and frustrating.
I couldn’t find one single comprehensive guide that explains all of the Roman Catholic Lent rules in an easy-to-understand way. All the articles I found were confusing and full of Catholic jargon, or they only answered one specific question regarding the Catholic Lent fasting rules.
Thankfully, after lots of research, I did eventually figure out what you can eat during Lent. And now I’m excited to share this comprehensive, easy-to-understand Roman Catholic Fasting Rules Guide with you!
First, let’s start with a simple overview and a couple of definitions. Then, we’ll get into all the details throughout the rest of this post.
Related Reading: 40 Short Daily Lenten Prayers for Spiritual Renewal
The Roman Catholic Lent Fasting Rules (in a Nutshell)
The Catholic Lent Fasting Rules are:
- Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
- Abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.
That’s it!
While the season of Lent is a 40-day period (46 days if you count Sundays) leading up to Easter Sunday, 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 Catholics mean by “fasting” and “abstinence?”
Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Cheat Sheet (Printable PDF)
Want an easy way to remember all the Catholic Lent fasting rules?
Print this “What Can I Eat During Lent?” PDF to hang on your fridge!
Not only will it help you remember how to fast during Lent, but it includes 8 quick, easy, and satisfying foods to eat during Lent that don’t include any meat.
I print this “What Can I Eat During Lent” printable PDF and place it on my fridge every single year. I’d be happy to send it to you, too!
Simply enter your name and email in the boxes below, and I’ll send it your way, too.
What is Lent Fasting?
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.
According to the Code of Canon Law, provided by the Vatican, only Catholics between the ages of 18 through 59 are required to fast, and fasting is only required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the only obligatory days of fasting, but they are required (unless a solemnity falls on one of those days).
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops does recommend continuing the Good Friday fast through the next day (Saturday), if possible, but this practice is not followed widely.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2024) and ends on Holy Friday (March 29, 2024), so you don’t have to keep your Lent fast all the way through Holy Saturday night or until Easter vigil!
According to the Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
“Wherefore, we ask, urgently and prayerfully, that we, as people of God, make of the entire Lenten Season a period of special penitential observance. Following the instructions of the Holy See, we declare that the obligation both to fast and to abstain from meat, an obligation observed under a more strict formality by our fathers in the faith, still binds on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an obligation on the Wednesday which solemnly opens the Lenten season and on that Friday called “Good” because on that day Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins.”
It is also important to note: The Catholic Church does make several exceptions to this requirement, particularly in instances where fasting in accordance with the Catholic Lent Rules would cause or contribute to health concerns. These exemptions to the Catholic Lent Rules are listed further down in this article.
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 Roman Catholic Lent rules, Catholics 14 years of age and older are required to practice abstinence (from 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
It’s also important to note: While the official Catholic Lent Fasting Rules don’t mention this explicitly, most Catholic Christians believe these meals should be simple (an actual sacrifice, even if small) rather than an excuse to gorge yourself on delicious lobster or crab.
This is mostly left up to personal discretion, however.
Who is Exempt from the Lenten Fasting Rules?
The Catholic Church offers plenty of exemptions to those who are unable to follow the Catholic Lent rules.
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!
Do you qualify for an exemption? If so, the extent to which you follow the Lent fasting guidelines is between you and God.
You and He both know if you truly should be exempt from spiritual fasting or if you are just trying to get out of it.
And don’t forget: Even if you can’t fast, there are plenty of other things you could give up for Lent instead.
Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Catholic fasting rules.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 Roman Catholic fasting rules only require Catholics to avoid the fleshy meat of animals, not all animal products or their derivatives.
Can You Eat Chicken Stock / Beef Broth / Turkey Gravy During Lent?
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. However, not everyone agrees. You will want to ask your local priest for a definitive answer on this one.
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 during Lent!
Is Fish Meat? Why Isn’t Fish Considered Meat During Lent?
There are several theories as to 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 the rule was invented–at least in part–to help the fish economy in the 16th century.
We know the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:39, “Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.” But this Scripture verse doesn’t tell us why, and common sense doesn’t make it clear either.
According to this article on MentalFloss, “That distinction was possibly taken from Judaism’s own dietary restrictions, which separates fleishig (which includes land-locked mammals and fowl) from pareve (which includes fish). Neither the Torah, Talmud, or New Testament clearly explains the rationale behind the divide.”
Most likely, the weird rule happened as a result of a combination of factors.
As I shared in my other post, “Where is Lent in the Bible?” the Catholic Lent rules and traditions were not handed down to us in final written form. Instead, they’ve gradually evolved over time to meet the needs and preferences of the people at the time. Sometimes, this results in strange rules that don’t make a lot of sense to us today.
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.
What Happens if I Forget and Eat Meat on a Friday During Lent?
If you forget and eat meat on a Friday during Lent, simply stop eating your meat (immediately or as soon as you remember) and follow the rules for the rest of the day. You should probably mention it the next time you’re at confession as well.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry too much. As long as it was truly accidental, it’s not a sin to forget. It happens to all of us!
What are the Lent Fasting Rules for Protestant Christians?
Protestant Christians are not required to follow any Lent fasting rules. Because the Catholic Lent Fasting Rules are handed down from the Vatican, they are binding to Roman Catholic Christians only.
However, some non-Catholic Christians (myself included!) do choose to follow the Catholic Lent fasting rules, even though we don’t have to.
According to a 2014 study conducted by the Barna Group:
“Not surprisingly, practicing Catholics are among the most likely to have participated in Lent, with just over two-thirds (65%) saying they have celebrated the fast in the past three years.
But many Protestants have also adopted the habit: one in six practicing Protestants (15%) say they have fasted for Lent in the past three years, and about the same number (16%) say they plan to fast this year.“
Why Can’t You Eat Meat on Fridays During Lent?
Lent is a forty-day period of sacrifice, repentance, and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter.
Abstaining from eating meat is a long-standing tradition during these six weeks, as giving up meat (along with prayer and fasting as well as any other voluntary sacrifices) before Easter can help Christians prepare their hearts to observe the Holy season.
To best explain why Roman Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays, allow me to use an analogy:
In our house, our boys are not allowed to jump on the furniture. As their parent, I have the authority to make that rule, and I have for the good of our family. I have good reasons for having this rule, but that doesn’t really matter. As my children, my boys are expected to listen and obey because I am their mother.
Is jumping on the couch inherently wrong? No. If my neighbor’s kids jump on their couch, is that wrong? No, not unless their mother has made the same rule at their house. Is jumping on the couch really that big of a deal? No, not really.
But, as my children’s mother who is responsible for their well-being, I have the authority to make the rules for the good of my children as I see fit.
It’s the same thing with the Catholic church and their Catholic Fasting Rules.
Is eating meat inherently wrong? No. If non-Catholics don’t fast during Lent, is that wrong? No. Is eating meat really a big deal? No, not really.
Eating meat isn’t the issue. Since Lent isn’t commanded in Scripture, following the Catholic fasting rules is more an issue of obedience to the authority figures that God has placed over us.
**And honestly, this is the big sticking point–who has the authority? For more on this issue, please see my post: Who has the Ultimate Authority? A Biblical Look at Sola Scriptura. No matter which way you believe, it’s a great read!
Sure, the church could have said, “Just do whatever you want,” but that leaves a lot open to interpretation. (And makes it reallllly easy to be lazy and do nothing at all.)
By setting actual guidelines for what you can eat during Lent (that really aren’t that bad), the church makes it that much more likely that people will actually follow through.
According to the canon 1249 of the Code of Canon Law:
“In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.”
Following the Catholic fasting rules isn’t really about answering the question, “What can you eat on Lent?”
For many Christians, Lent is a period of penance leading up to Easter in which they remember and model the example of Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us on the cross. It just happens that our suffering (or penance) is far easier than his!
Special Note: Roman Catholic Fasting Rules Throughout the Year
Many people don’t know this, but technically, Catholics are supposed to abstain from meat on ALL Fridays (except solemnities) throughout the entire year–not only during Lent.
Catholic Christians living in America are allowed to substitute a different form of penance throughout the rest of the year, but fasting and abstinence during Lent are required.
Will you follow the Catholic Lent Fasting Rules this year? What questions do you still have about what you can eat during Lent?
Don’t Forget Your Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Cheat Sheet!
I know that was a lot to remember!
Thankfully, this “What Can You Eat During Lent” cheat sheet makes remembering the basics easy and convenient. (And it’s seriously cute!)
And I’d be happy to email it to you.
Simply enter your name and email in the boxes below, and I’ll send it right over, along with some other resources I know you’ll find really helpful this year.
Additional Resources You May Also Like:
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Hi Brittany. Thanks for giving us a look at Catholic Lent. It’s interesting to see what other Christians do for Great Lent. Eastern Orthodox Christians fast from all meat, dairy, oil, and wine every day throughout all of Lent. And, we actually do abstain from sex for all of Lent. (Traditionally, as in over one thousand years ago when East and West were united, all of the Church observed this fast.) Oh, and this year Orthodox and Western Churches have different Lent and Easter (or Pascha) dates. Orthodox Pascha is on May 1, making Great Lent start on March 14. Let’s pray that one day the Church will be united!
Good to know! Thanks for sharing! I’ve been meaning to look into the differences between Catholic and Orthodox more. I should do that…
Thank you, Sarah, for giving a shout out for the Orthodox Christians like me! Very much appreciated!
I’m actually a vegetarian, but I do believe giving something up is super important. My first time observing Lent, I gave up all refined sugars. It was torturous and a little difficult, so the next couple years or so, I gave up all caffeine for Lent.
But last year after realizing no chocolate was bad for my emotional health (I’m in college and I have severe depression, so I do literally need it for my emotional health), and it had become more habit than genuinely seeking spiritual renewing, I made the painful decision to give up my most unhealthy and unnecessary addiction– TV shows. And oh boy, it was PAINFUL! But it gave me more time to focus on things I needed to get done, and time to do more spiritual reading. I read through the entire Catholic Catechism (alongside your series on Catholicism, which was kind of a Sparknotes for my reading), learned about saints…And at the end of Lent, I was able to tell my uber reformed Protestant parents I was going to convert to Catholicism. Also, when I came back to TV shows after Lent, I realized I was now way more bothered about nudity and sex scenes than I had been before… I’d kind of become jaded to that kind of stuff.
This year, I decided to torture myself again and give up TV shows. I don’t know what I’ll be filling that time with, but I’m sure it will be another great season of spiritual growth for me.
That’s great! (and I totally understand the needing chocolate thing 🙂 ) Curious to hear what you decide to fill your time with…
Great article! Thanks for shedding light on what Catholics do and why.
One point though… we are not required to fast on all Fridays during lent. We fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. We abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays in between.
Oh, shoot. Thanks for pointing that out. So confusing! lol
Hi thanks for doing this it really is a shame that we aren’t more clear about a very important aspect of our faith. The abstinence rules actually apply to all Fridays that are not solemnities. It’s a common misconception that it is only for lent.
Relevant Chatechism sections below.
Canon 1250 All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.
Canon 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless (nisi) they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Canon 1252 All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.
Can. 1253 It is for the conference of bishops to determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence and to substitute in whole or in part for fast and abstinence other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety
Hi Brittany,
Thank you for your post and the meal ideas! Just wanted to clarify one thing in the Roman right all Fridays that are not solemnities (high feasts) are considered penitential and thus should be accompanied with abstinence from meat throughout the year not just during lent!
Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.
Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Can. 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or some other food according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops is to be observed on ,of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year of age. The law of fasting, however, binds all those who have attained their majority until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors of souls and parents are to take care that minors not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are also educated in a genuine sense of penance.
Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.
This is true! Thanks for sharing those references.
Also, I have heard that here in the U.S. we have been given special permission to substitute something different instead of meat on all Fridays outside of Lent, so abstaining the rest of the year isn’t as widely practiced.
Beautiful post Brittany, you have really done a good job. I always have difficulty in remembering that iam not suppose to eat meat every friday, to the extent of eating meat on fridays during Lent. You have just make a good point by saying we should put it in a calender to remind ourself, by the grace of God i will put an alarm to remind me of this every Friday and also to do the stations of the cross every Friday too.
Thank you and God bless you.
Yes, the truth is, if it’s important enough to you, you’ll find a way to make it a priority. Even if you have to put a big sign on the fridge, set an alarm, have your family hold you accountable… it’s up to you! 🙂
Do you have a good source for this information?
Hi Brittany, thank you so much for this information. I grew up knowing all about lent, fasting and abstinence, to which I have pass on to my children. But today, many Catholics I know doesn’t seem to know this. Another thing we were taught, is to abstain from meat for the next 40 days (meaning) from Ash Wednesday, and all Friday’s until Good Friday. Then again 40 days (Friday’s) after Good Friday, to which I still follow. But I told my children, if they cannot follow through as I do, then they should abstain from meat on all Friday’s during year. This is easier to follow. Our priest told us, if you are not sure then do as the English do. Fish and Chips every Friday. God Bless you.
Yeah, it’s a lot easier to forget when it’s only a few weeks a year. Eating fish every Friday all year round would definitely make it easier to remember.