It became known who should not give up animal proteins during Lent

During this period, calls to the ambulance begin with exacerbations of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, diabetes

Is it beneficial for everyone to keep Lent or are there people who absolutely cannot do this? What is the best way to replace meat and dairy products, how to properly enter the diet restriction mode and painlessly exit it? These questions are answered by an endocrinologist at the National Medical Research Center “Treatment and Rehabilitation Center” of the Russian Ministry of Health, nutritionist Anastasia Podkhvatilina.

The fast will last until May 4. In Orthodox traditions, it is believed that this is a time of cleansing, so one of the components is abstinence from food. For 48 days, traditions prohibit meat and meat products, eggs, milk, butter and fish (with the exception of a few special days).

Fasting, on the one hand, can be useful – fatty meat, sausages, sausages disappear from the diet, giving way to vegetables. But, as Podkhvatilina says, there are a number of diseases in which such restrictions are contraindicated due to the danger of causing significant harm to health: “Orthodox fasting partially limits foods rich in protein – many categories of my patients lack them, and I ask them not to observe fasting “strictly” or even abandon it for medical reasons.” The doctor explains that this is especially true for patients with diabetes, anemia, osteoporosis and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, fasting is not recommended for patients with cancer, pregnant and lactating women.

According to the expert, a sudden change in eating habits can be dangerous for all patients suffering from chronic diseases. “Colleagues testify that with the beginning and end of Orthodox fasts, emergency calls begin with exacerbations of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, diabetes mellitus and other diseases,” Podkhvatlina emphasizes.

She advises such patients not to start a strict fast too abruptly: for example, in the first week, with the doctor’s permission, you can give up meat, but continue to eat dairy products and eggs. It will take time to adapt even after fasting: it is strictly not recommended to abuse foods that the body has already become accustomed to.

Directly during fasting, according to the doctor, if foods rich in plant protein are well tolerated, you can replace meat and milk with legumes, tofu, nuts, and whole grain cereals. And most importantly, on the eve of fasting, you need to discuss changing your diet with your doctor.