During Lent, Christians traditionally fast and abstain from certain behaviors as a means to seek forgiveness for their sins and deepen their connection with God. However, it’s important to understand that Lent can also intersect with diet culture influences.
Among all Lenten practices, fasting and abstinence often receive the most attention from secularism. Unfortunately, secular influences have led some to lose sight of these practices’ true spiritual purpose
The start of Lent marks the start of a diet for some. But are these goals motivated by vanity or charity?
What is Lent?
Lent is a solemn season in the Christian liturgical calendar. It observes Jesus’ 40-day journey through the desert, where Satan tempted him, and before he began his public ministry.
The purpose of Lent is to prepare believers for the celebration of Easter. It’s an opportunity to grow closer to God through these spiritual practices:
- Prayer
- Almsgiving
- Repentance
- Fasting and abstinence
Why Do People Fast and Abstain During Lent?
During Lent, abstinence and fasting are practiced to commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice. Abstinence involves ‘doing without,’ while fasting entails ‘doing with less.’
The hunger experienced is a reminder of the hunger we ought to have for God and the hunger He has for us.
Abstaining from meat is a biblical discipline observed during Lent. It’s customary to refrain from meat and consume fish, symbolizing Christ, on Ash Wednesday and Fridays throughout Lent.
Fasting, another biblical discipline, is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday through a mini fast.
For some people, abstaining and fasting during Lent goes beyond customary practice. They may give up food deemed as “bad.”
In some cases, Lent’s exterior work of fasting or abstaining from “bad” foods becomes the main focus. This can overshadow the interior work of drawing closer to God.
How did we get here?
Unpacking this question reveals many layers. A notable factor is the impact of diet culture.
What is Diet Culture?
Diet culture is the glorification of weight loss by any means necessary and is characterized by:
- Measurement of self-worth by weight, often in comparison to others’ bodies
- Measurement of self-worth by how little is eaten or diet compliance
- Advertisements for weight loss programs/products suggesting you’re “in” if you follow or look a certain way
- Praising others for their size or weight loss, regardless of how it was achieved or whether it was desired, such as involuntary weight loss due to illness or grief
- The cycle of chasing the next diet
- Demonizing certain foods to the point it causes anxiety or guilt if eaten
Diet culture fails to view health holistically. It overlooks important factors like activity level, sleep, and stress that influence overall well-being. Plus, it often disregards other influences on body size, such as genetics and age.
Pitting “good” food against “bad” food also oversimplifies what it means to eat healthily. Eating one apple won’t make a person good or healthy just as eating one cookie won’t make a person bad or unhealthy.
Diet Culture is Not Lent
Carefully consider acts of sacrifice that are stricter than the norm and discuss them with a spiritual director. Remember, any sacrifice that hinders your well-being is contrary to God’s will.
This doesn’t mean you can’t make sensible dietary changes to improve your health during Lent. However, it also doesn’t justify indulgence in gluttony.
To have a more meaningful Lent, consider how diet culture might impact your spiritual journey and explore ways to move past its influence.
Questions to Ask Yourself if You’re Dieting During Lent
As you seek a balance between spiritual devotion and dietary choices during Lent, it’s important to reflect on how your eating habits and body perceptions affect your spiritual journey. Consider these questions:
- Am I overly focused on restricting food to the extent that it deprives my body of nutrients necessary for proper function?
- Do I engage in negative self-talk? For instance:
- “I caved and ate candy, I’m a failure.”
- “I don’t look like that person, I’m not good enough or worthy of love.”
- Do I maintain a facade of perfect eating habits in public while overindulging in isolation?
- Are the changes I’m implementing sustainable beyond Lent, or are they merely temporary fixes?
- Would I have initiated these dietary changes if I were a different size?
- Have I elevated certain body images, turning Lent into a period solely focused on reshaping my physique?
- How does my relationship with God and the world around me benefit or improve through my dietary choices?
- Am I practicing self-compassion and kindness during Lent?
Live Lent with More Meaning
Amidst the hustle of life, people may forget the profound significance of the Lenten season. Engaging in spiritual practices during Lent fosters a deeper connection with God.
Practice spiritual endeavors joyfully and with understanding and unity, while reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice.
Practices to Abstain from During Lent
- Negative self-talk: Replace it with self-kindness and prayer, embracing the unwavering love of God
- TV or social media: Dedicate that time to your family, church, prayer, Bible reading, or serving others
- Compulsive shopping: Redirect your resources by tithing to your church or donating to a food bank or someone in need
- Comparison to others: Embrace your unique journey and gifts without comparing yourself to others
- Judgement of other people’s bodies: Practice acceptance and compassion toward others, recognizing the inherent dignity in every individual
Ways to Deepen Your Lenten Journey
Practice mindful eating through a spiritual lens. As you offer gratitude for the food, remember the labor of those who cultivated, distributed, and prepared it. Take a moment to appreciate the company at your table. Respond attentively to your body’s hunger and fullness signals.
Reflect on your interactions with others, especially when it comes to those you find challenging. Consider how your emotions, particularly anger, can affect not only your well-being but also your relationships.
Embrace the power of forgiveness, both for others and yourself. Extending forgiveness can lead to healing and help you let go of past grievances, allowing for more positive connections and experiences.
Relinquish destructive habits such as smoking, substance abuse, and pornography. Seek support and guidance to help you.
Finally, integrate your Lenten sacrifices with spiritual practices to enrich your journey. If you choose to abstain from a particular food or beverage, donate the money saved to charitable causes.
All of these practices can deepen your relationship with God, add purpose to your sacrifices, and enrich your Lenten experience.
“…‘to love [God] with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” -Mark 12:33
