Fasting with the shrimps?

[Andrei D]

Hi,
I haven't been around here in ages. I hope everyone is hale and hearty.
I am asking this merely for curiosity because I had a bit of a debate with someone recently: do you eat shrimp and other crustaceans during fasts? What about mollusks and other "sea food"? And if so why?
I honestly do not want to start any trouble right before entering the fasting weeks, just wanted to see what everyone thinks / knows about it.

As an explanation, I have been very successful in controlling my diabetes and other metabolic illnesses during these times of great threat to people with such afflictions, by eating a very low carbohydrate diet. The effects on my body are fantastic, but on the other hand this limits my options during fasting periods to such a degree that sometimes it is very difficult to navigate.

 

[.Jeremiah.]

i started a very low carb diet a couple weeks ago

i am very pleased so far

i do intermittent fasts, but am not aware of your fasting regimen

best of luck with your endeavors

 

[dqhall]

Hi,
I haven't been around here in ages. I hope everyone is hale and hearty.
I am asking this merely for curiosity because I had a bit of a debate with someone recently: do you eat shrimp and other crustaceans during fasts? What about mollusks and other "sea food"? And if so why?
I honestly do not want to start any trouble right before entering the fasting weeks, just wanted to see what everyone thinks / knows about it.

As an explanation, I have been very successful in controlling my diabetes and other metabolic illnesses during these times of great threat to people with such afflictions, by eating a very low carbohydrate diet. The effects on my body are fantastic, but on the other hand this limits my options during fasting periods to such a degree that sometimes it is very difficult to navigate.

I was on a low fat vegan diet for months or years. Dr. Joel Fuhrman wrote a book about the vegan diet info that inspired me. I lost about 20 lbs. My kidney stones went away. I have since added 1 - 2 servings of seafood per week when at home and meat a couple times a month when at infrequent social occasions. I have to take B-12. Occasionally I skipped a meal to help lower my blood pressure.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Hi,
I haven't been around here in ages. I hope everyone is hale and hearty.
I am asking this merely for curiosity because I had a bit of a debate with someone recently: do you eat shrimp and other crustaceans during fasts? What about mollusks and other "sea food"? And if so why?
I honestly do not want to start any trouble right before entering the fasting weeks, just wanted to see what everyone thinks / knows about it.

As an explanation, I have been very successful in controlling my diabetes and other metabolic illnesses during these times of great threat to people with such afflictions, by eating a very low carbohydrate diet. The effects on my body are fantastic, but on the other hand this limits my options during fasting periods to such a degree that sometimes it is very difficult to navigate.

yes, because they don't have backbones. just keep it simple.

 

[Anhelyna]

Just a gentle reminder to our visitors

This is TAW - the area for Orthodox Christians . The OP was asking for guidance re fasting according to the traditions of the Orthodox Church. Pleas do read the SoP for TAW before posting again on this thread Statement of Purpose - The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox Statement of Purpose

Anhelyna Senior Ambassador Member

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

That was gentle!

Just a gentle reminder to our visitors

This is TAW - the area for Orthodox Christians . The OP was asking for guidance re fasting according to the traditions of the Orthodox Church. Pleas do read the SoP for TAW before posting again on this thread Statement of Purpose - The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox Statement of Purpose

Anhelyna Senior Ambassador Member

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Low carb here as well. I’m allergic to shrimp and lobster, etc. I eat a bit of salmon in their place…with approval.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

I’m not really the best source of information but I was told that shrimp, mussels etc are ok because they don’t have backbones.

but this may help too:
Fasting Guidelines
I found it super informative.

Finally, if you have a priest available to you then you should ask them.
Hope this helps!

God bless!

 

[~Anastasia~]

Hi,
I haven't been around here in ages. I hope everyone is hale and hearty.
I am asking this merely for curiosity because I had a bit of a debate with someone recently: do you eat shrimp and other crustaceans during fasts? What about mollusks and other "sea food"? And if so why?
I honestly do not want to start any trouble right before entering the fasting weeks, just wanted to see what everyone thinks / knows about it.

As an explanation, I have been very successful in controlling my diabetes and other metabolic illnesses during these times of great threat to people with such afflictions, by eating a very low carbohydrate diet. The effects on my body are fantastic, but on the other hand this limits my options during fasting periods to such a degree that sometimes it is very difficult to navigate.

I was surprised after being Orthodox for about a year to discover that in our parish they eat shrimp, squid, and other types of seafood like that.

As for fasting and carbs, I had some pretty serious health issues some years back. I ended up getting on a keto diet about 3.5 years ago which controlled one serious condition. I found out be getting off keto briefly during all the covid junk that it was keeping other serious conditions at bay. Those had gotten bad during fasting periods (at least during Great Lent) in the past. So I finally have a diagnosis and find I essentially can’t do fasting as it is intended. I have other guidelines given by my SF as a result. (Also my age is probably starting to factor in.)

I would suggest a good talk with your priest, including your personal dietary info. I of course can’t advise anyone else. I do know it’s VERY HARD to stay under 20 carbs a day and eat fast-friendly foods.

I eat Bhu keto bars, which are vegan and use pea protein and have 1 net carb per bar. Offhand that’s my only really good suggestion.

Unless you’re actually doing keto, in which case I also use coconut oil and cocoa butter (dietary). Avocados work for a lot of people. Those are just fats though.

Dietary proteins that are low-carb and fast-friendly are very rare though. Pea protein in some forms, and as you mention shrimp and other qualifying seafoods. Of course some fasts allow fish. Otherwise, I can’t think of anything else.

I hope you can get it sorted out.

 

[Andrei D]

Oh, wow, seeing you guys' names again is very comforting to me. I must have missed you all.

Thank you so much, everyone.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Oh, wow, seeing you guys' names again is very comforting to me. I must have missed you all.

Thank you so much, everyone.

great to see you again, too!

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Andrei, I'm type 2, so I have to watch the carbs as well. On Sundays, Ill have a small meal before church such as a protein shake. Otherwise, I've passed out while chanting. For regular meals, I will have eggs and seafood, such as salmon even during fasts. It just becomes too hard on my system otherwise. I will do a strict(er) fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

[Andrei D]

...
I hope you can get it sorted out.

Thank you!
Yes I eat a specific version of a ketogenic diet without excess fats but with a focus adequate protein amount and generally <20 g carbs - most days <15 g. Staying low carb during fasts is not as hard as getting enough (quality) protein. But I am probably more restrictive than you are as I avoid certain oils (like palm oil) and certain food additives so most Keto bars/products are off limits

Pea protein is a great idea! I do already add hemp hearts to literally everything when I try to eat fasting foods.

Finally, if you have a priest available to you then you should ask them.

Thank God, I do - he is coming back next week from vacation and I feel I am due to go to Confession anyway

yes, because they don't have backbones. just keep it simple.

Bless, Father. Got it. Thank you!

Andrei, I'm type 2, so I have to watch the carbs as well. On Sundays, Ill have a small meal before church such as a protein shake. Otherwise, I've passed out while chanting. For regular meals, I will have eggs and seafood, such as salmon even during fasts. It just becomes too hard on my system otherwise. I will do a strict(er) fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

That helps a lot. Of course I will talk to our priest and see what guidance he will provide, but knowing sort of how people deal with this helps me feel less anxious about it.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Bless, Father. Got it. Thank you!

no worries! I say it because it's easy to make seafood a delicacy, which kinda defeats the purpose of the Fast.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

It always cracked me up that God forbade shellfish to the Chosen in the OT. Jews talk about how God was choosing those types of seafood to prohibit as they are bottom-feeders, not healthy….fast forward to Orthodoxy——bottom feeders are the ONLY choice over the healthy stuff!

 

[Melily]

I’m mostly carnivore (tolerate only about 5 plant foods) for health reasons. After many years of partial disability and prayers to find healing according to God’s Will I found this way of eating and was able to go back to working full time. One year later I was introduced to Orthodox Christianity so I tried changing my diet during the fasting days/periods. I started having health problems return so I met with my priest. He said I basically fast 365 days a year already and to just focus on eating simpler things (cheaper cuts of meat rather than steak for example) and do volunteer work with a charity as I’m able. I do try to have mainly eggs, dairy and crustaceans rather than meat during fasts though and often skip a meal each fasting day. I felt very grateful for my priest’s wise counsel and understanding.

 

[~Anastasia~]

no worries! I say it because it's easy to make seafood a delicacy, which kinda defeats the purpose of the Fast.

That’s basically where I am. I could technically be allowed to have shrimp, crab, and lobster during the fast. (If I could afford it lol)

But I can guarantee it would defeat the entire purpose of fasting for me. It would be a treat and a delicacy.

On the other hand, eating a blander version of what I eat 365 days a year, while not technically “allowed” ... is much more in keeping with the spirit of the fast for me.

LOL, if I could have a feast of bread, fruit, pasta, potatoes, beans, rice, and honey - I’d feel like I was eating a special holiday meal! And those are all Lenten foods.

 

[Not David]

I could eat shrimp but some members of my family have bad reaction to it so I will have to be careful.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

During seminary we had a good two week discussion during the Nativity fast that more practically we should be having hamburger helper rather than shrimp dishes.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

During seminary we had a good two week discussion during the Nativity fast that more practically we should be having hamburger helper rather than shrimp dishes.

Could you please explain further? Is it because of the price of shrimp?
Oh and there’s this joke: Hamburger helper without the hamburger is just called helper lol!