Catholic mamas, do you forgo meat...

[slsurface]

...on Fridays during lent while preggo?

I'm just curious. I'm not really make an special accommodations for lent because we already prepare meatless meals 2-3 times a week. We're not vegetarian, but I do limit how much meat we eat normally. We substitute meat for a lot of legums and eggs in out diet. When I'm not pregnant, I tend to fast on Fridays - only eating one meal. Obviously I can't do that while pregnant though.

I know that we don't have to skip meat on Fridays while pregnant, but I was wondering if those who eat meat regularly cut it out during lent while preggo? Or do you do anything else for lent?

[Ofwait]

I abstain from meat on Friday's during lent, Ash Wednesday as well.

I don't completely fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but do eat much more simply, when Pregnant.

[Pinoikoi]

I don't fast when pregnant.. my body has days that it doesn't want to eat as it is and I have only gained 2 lbs so far.. so I can't risk doing anything else... in fact today my sons were talking about what they were giving up for lent, and I said alcohol.. which they all laughed at since I really don't drink even when not pregnant..

[judybean]

I don't plan on partaking in fasting greatly (though I don't plan on being pregnant for much of Lent at all, hopefully...lol.. I'm 38+ weeks right now). But giving up meat isn't a big deal. Protein intake, which is important, doesn't only come from meats.. So of course I can give up meat along with everybody else.

[jeannineb]

I plan to.

[reneeisorym]

I am not Catholic, but I have a pregnant friend that is. She gave up shopping. I thought it didn't have to be food related. Maybe that's an idea?

[Ashes]

I still eat meat on fridays during lent while pregnant and I am a practicing Catholic. I don't really eat meat that often, but I know that during pregnancy and even breastfeeding, it is ok to eat meat.

I definitely don't fast. We really shouldn't be while pregnant.

Have a blessed Lenten season

[Ashes]

PS
Being pregnant in and of itself is a sacrifice. I sort of just apply that as my thing that I give up for lent. All those aches and pains... I give them up for people who struggle with infertility for example.

[Hey Mama!]

No I did not, but I tried to fast-only one meal a day.

[Jelinifer]

Well, I'm vegan so I don't eat meat anyways.... but you could still eat some of the "safe" varieties of fish on Ash Wednesday and Fridays if you really want animal protein. I have never heard of the fasting thing in my 12 years of Catholic schooling either (not even the nuns did it... but they did the whole no meat thing/fish instead on Fridays year 'round) but giving up something as a sacrifice for Lent is meant to compliment, not substitute the change in your diet.... I still need to think of something to give up before Wednesday

[newmommy7-08]

I don't. I'm lucky if I get 1/2 the protein in each day w/ all of the sickness as it is. The twins need everything I can get them!

[ledzepplon]

I don't eat meat on Fridays/Ash Wed during Lent, but I don't fast. I find that eggs, fish, and nuts give me plenty of protein on those days.

[ledzepplon]

Originally Posted by newmommy7-08

I don't. I'm lucky if I get 1/2 the protein in each day w/ all of the sickness as it is. The twins need everything I can get them!

Wow--you certainly have a good reason to skip the "no meat" rule! Stay healthy, mama!

[welsh]

I do eat meat on Fridays while pregnant.
This year I'm giving up something much harder than a food item for lent........the internet! Yep!
I'll check email twice a day but no website surfing. It's going to be sooooooo hard!

[Jelinifer]

Originally Posted by welsh

I do eat meat on Fridays while pregnant.
This year I'm giving up something much harder than a food item for lent........the internet! Yep!
I'll check email twice a day but no website surfing. It's going to be sooooooo hard!

Good luck mama!!! I'm an internet junkie myself... and I have to give some seriou credit to anyone willingly trying to forgo that for 40 days!

DH and I decided last night to give up soda... that's always a biggie for him and has become a vice of mine during pg.

[mediumcrunch]

We usually keep meatless Fridays all year so meatless during Lent isn't an issue at all.
I won't technically fast as I'll get sick if I do but one can still be penitential in their choices.
There are a gazillion things I could give up but think it will be beverages except water and the internet boards, blogs etc..... also would like to add in walking and praying the Rosary every day but I can't change everything overnight

[matey]

I am not currently catholic, but I was up till about a year ago. I see no reason to skip the no meat on fridays for anyone. The American society eats WAY more meat than we need to. There are other cources of protein. I only occasionally eat meat, like 0-1 times a week, and I also dont eat dairy. We rarely eat eggs, like MAYBE once a month. I dont think anyone in my family is suffering. I understand pregnancy kinda sucks, but I fail to see why avoiding meat one day a week is that big of deal for anyonw. If I were still catholic today, I would follow the meat rules for fridays.

I can understand not doing the fasting, although I do know pregnanct women who have done it and simply had a couple small meals or, as a pp said, ate more simply.

[TonyaW]

When I was pregnant during Lent, I ate fish and eggs instead of meat. I didn't fast at all. I simply could not. This will be the first Lent I have fasted in several years, and I am not looking forward to it!

[claddaghmom]

I think I got over the hump of the 1st trimester so I'm going to try to follow the practices this Lent. I think the definition of "fasting" would actually be beneficial for me b/c I tend to eat a really big meal, skip breakfast and eat late at night. I think it'd be healthier to eat smaller meals.

[tolovemercy]

I'm not strict about eating meatless Fridays during Lent or any other time when I'm pregnant or nursing. I try primarily to focus on eating simply during fasts, but that's pretty much it. But yeah, all three times (well, almost three) I've been pregnant during lent it's either been in the wee first trimester when I was feeling lousy to begin with, or at the very, very end when I was also feeling lousy, which has not left me feeling extra...um...penitential.