Lent - the longest of all the Orthodox posts (seven weeks) and at the same time the most severe. At this time, it is necessary to abandon the use of all animal products (not only fish, meat and seafood, but also milk and milk products, eggs, vegetable oil). Exception - the Annunciation and Palm Sunday. In these holidays permissible use of fish and seafood.
Also in Lent can not eat white and the more sdobny bread, mayonnaise, candy. Are not recommended and other goodies, even if used in their manufacture only ingredients of plant origin: post-it is not a diet, but rather on the ability of training do without frills, so "lean feasts" contrary to the spirit of fasting. Of course, fasting can not drink alcohol and to refrain from smoking. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we must also refrain from the use of vegetable oil.
To strictly observe the fast of Lent restrictions on even stricter on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you can eat only raw fruits and vegetables, drink water or fruit compote and eat bread; and on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can eat hot food, but cooked without oil. But for those who are fasting or not fasting for the first time during the year, it is not recommended: too sharp change in diet will do more harm than good.
What can I eat during Lent? The basis of the diet at this time make fruits and vegetables (including dried fruit), root vegetables, cereals and legumes, various pickles, mushrooms, nuts, gray and brown bread, crackers and drying. Coffee is better to limit, but tea, herbal teas, fruit drinks and jelly drink can.
Despite all the limitations imposed by the post, an assortment of dishes that can be put on the table, still very wide. For breakfast you can cook porridge on the water. As cold appetizers fit salted and pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, salads, vegetables and root crops. At first you can cook vegetable soups with the addition of cereals, mushroom soup, soup of legumes, meatless soup or soup. On the second - in all kinds of potatoes, steamed or boiled vegetables, vegetable stew, fried mushrooms, canned corn or potatoes, a dish of beans or lentils, cereals and vegetables or dried fruits. As a dessert - fruit puree or baked apples, jelly or juice. Food should be simple - but nobody forbids her to be diverse!