For Catholic Christians, Lent is one of the most important periods of the year. Although there are many truly great varieties of common meals when one is fasting, the rules of what you can and cannot eat when it is Lent can become confusing. Chicken is one of those common foods that we tend to miss the most. So, can you eat chicken during Lent or not?
The answer is both yes and no. What I mean by this is that, nowadays, people observe Lent in many different ways. While some more traditional families will decide to strictly stick to the rules and completely abstain from meat, fish, eggs, and fats, others may choose to give up just one of those luxuries in order to refocus their fate.
Alternatives to Chicken
If you have decided to stick to the more traditional rules of Lenten season, then your answer to Can you eat chicken during Lent? is no. Thankfully, there are some amazing alternatives and substitutes to chicken which you can prepare instead:
• Tempeh
Tempeh is a soybean-based alternative to chicken that originally came from Indonesia. Due to its light brown color and relatively firm texture, a majority of people say it most reminds them of a cooked chicken breast. For this reason, it is the closest alternative to chicken.
• Tofu
When it comes to meat alternatives, the first food that comes to mind is tofu. The reason as to why it is such a great alternative is that it contains a lot of protein, iron, and potassium. Also, it comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, degrees of firmness, and textures.
• Jackfruit
If you have only ever tasted a ripe jackfruit, which is either sweet or sour, you are probably wondering how it could possibly compare to meat. But, have you ever tasted an unripe one?
Unripe jackfruit has that familiar, meaty texture and savory taste. When prepared in the right way, it can absorb the spices and juices with which it is combined. People usually associate it with the taste of pulled pork.
• Lentils
Lentils are one of the most sought-after edibles during this period. Aside from being high in protein, they are also rich in fibers and vitamins, but low in fat. Phosphorous, potassium, and folate are all a part of lentils, and they contribute to regulating blood pressure and muscle strength.
Lent Is Not Only About Food
The fasting period begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. During these forty days, one is meant to solemnly contemplate, pray, and prepare for the Easter celebrations to come. Although fasting by abstaining from certain foods has always been an important part of Lent, it is still just one part of it.
Many Christian Catholic families now make the choice to abstain from watching TV or the excessive use of social media in order to cleanse and restore their faith. Another trend is the 40 acts challenge, which is primarily focused on self-reflection and acts of generosity.
The question of this article, Can you eat chicken during lent? is, therefore, entirely up to you to decide. And if you choose to abstain from chicken meat next Lenten season, now you know that there are a lot of great alternatives.
