Fasting Recipes and Meal Ideas for the Orthodox Christian

Are you bored of your current fasting meals? Or maybe you’ve just been baptized and have no idea what to eat. Well keep reading and take a look at my Orthodox Fasting Recipes listed below.

Fasting as an Orthodox Christian is primarily about spirituality and discipline rather than the ingredients of your meal. We abstain from meat, dairy, olive oil and wine most Wednesdays and Fridays as well as during longer fasting periods through the year.

Individual families may have different guidelines based on their medical conditions and nutritional needs. If you have any health concerns, I would recommend speaking with your priest for guidance on fasting as well as your doctor.

There does tend to be some confusion with the fasting rules. I’ve heard some Orthodox say any alcohol other than Wine is okay during a fast. Others have said absolutely no alcohol.

The same goes for olive oil vs. other cooking oils. I will admit, I find it extremely challenging to completely eliminate oil, especially since it is commonly used for sautéing, but you can just sauté with water if needed.

Regarding meat, most Orthodox I have spoken with say you are allowed to consume invertebrates, such as shrimp, crab, mussels, and lobster. If you are confused or have any questions on these topics, it is always best to consult with your priest.

Substitutions & Treats

Personally, I am not fond of substituting ingredients to accommodate fasting requirements. For one thing, many of these substitutions are unnatural and unhealthy.

Second, it undermines the purposes of fasting, which are to strengthen our spiritual resolve and discipline our mind and body. If we merely eat the same dishes but replace certain ingredients, are we truly fasting?

One thing I prefer is to avoid treats (or sweets) while fasting. These indulgences often contain excessive amounts of sugar and giving in to these cravings contradicts the purpose of fasting.

In today’s world, the convenience of smartphones and services like “DoorDash” have made instant gratification a widespread issue for many people in America. Obesity and Heart Disease rates are at unprecedented levels.

Not only are companies continuously creating more processed foods, but these items are also becoming more accessible and cheaper than healthier alternatives.

Spirituality

With all that in mind, fasting should really provide us more time to work on ourselves spiritually. For this reason, I prefer to avoid elaborate recipes. By keeping our meals simple, we reduce the time spent on planning, preparation, and cooking, thereby allowing more time for our spiritual journey and prayer.

If you are struggling to come up with fasting meal ideas, I have listed below some of my family’s favorite options. I plan to update this list as I continue, and I am also open to providing specific recipes upon request.

Breakfast:

• A healthy whole grain cereal with Almond or Oat Milk
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal
  • We usually add peanut butter powder and syrup to our oatmeal but you can use regular peanut butter if you like.
• Oatmeal with Chopped Nuts, Fruit and Syrup
  • we use sugar free syrup and it still tastes delicious.
• Peanut Butter Banana Toast
  • Sometimes I sprinkle a bit of sugar and cinnamon on top
• Vegan Pancakes with Fruit and Syrup

Lunch:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
• Veggie Sandwiches with Hummus
• Salad with Beans and a Fast-Friendly Dressing
• Ramen Noodles

Dinner:

• Dirty Rice with Avocado and chopped Red Peppers
  • I prefer to buy the Zatarain’s brand. Prepare according to box instructions and then add chopped peppers and garnish with avocado.
• Rice and Beans
  • I usually use dried pinto or black beans that I’ve previously prepared. Any kind of beans (even canned) work just fine. You can add veggies and spices to your liking.
• Clam Chowder with Beans
  • Instead of heavy cream I just use almond milk. You can also use coconut milk or any other dairy substitute. If we’re feeling the need for more protein, I will add in some beans.
• Tortilla Chips, Salsa and Refried Beans
• Black Bean Tortas
• Chick Pea or Black Bean Flautas
• Mujadara
  • You can substitute coconut oil if needed
• Lentil Sloppy Joes
  • Just use lentils instead of beef.
• Burrito Bowls
  • You can use rice and lentils with taco seasoning. Optional toppings include salsa, guacamole, lime juice, pico de gallo, and lettuce.
• Macaroni & Tomato Juice with Broccoli
  • Yes this is just cooked macaroni with some tomato juice. I usually cook some frozen broccoli separately and add it in with some season all and lemon pepper. If we want more protein, I will add some beans.
• Noodles with Peanut Butter Sauce
• Shrimp Coconut Curry (Easy One-Pot)

Snacks:

• Avocado Toast
  • I like to add chopped tomatoes or even some pico de gallo with Sriracha or Cholula.
• Baked Sweet Potato with Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
• Spinach & Fruit Smoothie
  • You can use dairy substitutes instead of milk. I usually just use water and add in some Turmeric and Black pepper.
• Great Value brand Chewy Bars

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