Today we live in difficult conditions - polluted air, water, food. We eat everything indiscriminately. There are various systems designed to cleanse the body of harmful substances and poisons. Such are the systems for periodic fasting, for separate feeding, etc. Unfortunately, not all people can use them. The fast pace of our lives does not allow us to endure prolonged hunger. These systems should be applied after prior consultation with a doctor to avoid unwanted consequences: activation of old diseases, emergence of new ones, etc.
In all folk customs, even before Christianity, there are elements that are related to rational nutrition and a natural way of life. The Christian religion systematizes and further develops them by tying them to church holidays.
Christianity proceeds from the fact that in human nature the harmony between the spiritual and carnal beginnings is broken and the carnal tends to prevail over the spirit. Therefore, a person needs even the simplest and most elementary methods of self-restraint.
Fasting was introduced by the Christian church in order to support the Christian's spiritual and moral aspirations over sensual ones.
There are two big fasts during the year - before Christmas and before Easter. Once upon a time, our grandfathers observed them very strictly, but in recent decades they have been almost forgotten. If we look at fasting from the modern positions of rational nutrition, we will find that the strict ritual of eating is the same psychotherapy, but supported by a rhythm and a certain menu.
By observing the fast, a person seems to enter a different state of mind, isolates himself from the unfavorable sensual perceptions caused by both external and internal influences. Observing fasts makes one feel purposeful, energetic, self-confident and strong-willed.
The Christian religion imposes about 200 days of fasting in total during the year. The Orthodox Church defines multi-day and one-day fasts. Every believer should fast twice a week - on Wednesday and Friday, to remember the sufferings and death of Christ. Lent before Easter lasts seven weeks. They are very strict, especially during the first, fourth and seventh weeks, the so-called Holy Week. According to custom, fasting is done only after the Easter morning service, i.e. on the night before the Resurrection of Christ.
Fasts have different degrees: very strict - only vegetable food without any fat, ordinary fasts - you can also eat fish. The Christian church allows those sick with certain diseases to eat anything except meat. Alcohol is not drunk during fasting, and appetite-stimulating spices are not used. During fasting, bread, lean foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits and mushrooms are eaten.
Observance of fasts from a physiological point of view is better for the body than fasting or separate meals. During fasting, mostly fruits and vegetables and relatively uniform food are eaten. Pectins and cellulose help to break down toxic substances, nitrates, s alts of heavy metals, pesticides, etc. chemical substances found in the human body. The food that is taken during fasting has a mild, sparing effect on the functioning of the endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular systems. During the rest of the time, the excessive amount of food leads to overloading of the stomach and heart, incomplete combustion of food occurs and metabolism is disturbed. During fasting, food is more s alt-free, vegetables are eaten raw or boiled without fat. This contributes to the reduction of cholesterol and other substances that cause sclerosis. The functioning of the kidneys and excretory system improves. The body gets rid of animal proteins.
When we are not used to fasting, it is good to do it gradually. First, food of animal origin is reduced. This type of diet is especially useful in the spring-summer season, when there are fruits and vegetables. Meat is gradually given up, replacing it with fish, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese.
Fasting is usually followed by some kind of celebration where the food is more abundant and more caloric. Thus, the body is strengthened after fasting.
