Milk fat in chocolate can be fasted. What kind of chocolate can you eat in fasting? How to Treat Chocolate During Lent

In 2019, Lent falls on the period from March 11 to April 27. During this period, there are strict dietary restrictions. People often ask: is it possible to eat dark chocolate during Lent? Attitudes towards this product have changed over the centuries. Chocolate was either recommended for fasting or forbidden.

Moreover, the question of whether it is possible to eat chocolates during Great Lent was not “on the agenda” for a long time: solid chocolate and sweets appeared only in the 19th century, and before that, for several centuries, a chocolate drink was popular among aristocrats, which was prepared from plant products.

However, all drinks that give pleasure are not recommended to be consumed during fasting, so the issue of chocolate remained controversial. When Pope Pius V was treated to a cup of hot chocolate without sugar, he decided that it was okay to drink it during fasting: after all, “such disgusting things cannot please someone” ...

In 1662, the Catholic Church declared that chocolate could be consumed during fasts, after which it became very popular in monasteries.

But the Bishop of Vienna, John, considered it a "sinful passion-inciting drink" and forbade the Franciscan monks to drink it. And, of course, chocolate was no longer consumed on fasting days, when milk and alcoholic beverages were added to it: wine, liquor and even beer.

Can you eat dark chocolate during Lent 2019?

The composition of bitter chocolate includes cocoa butter, grated cocoa and powdered sugar; soy lecithin, that is, an ingredient of plant origin, is also commonly used.

Some manufacturing companies produce chocolate that contains 99% cocoa and does not include sugar. So if there are no ingredients of animal origin in this product, then it can be included in the diet on fasting days.

A similar answer can be given to the question of whether chocolates can be eaten during Lent. However, all this does not apply to milk chocolate, which contains dairy products: as a rule, it is not fresh, but powdered (whole or skimmed) milk, whey, dried cream or milk fat.

The composition of white chocolate includes special milk powder, which gives the product a peculiar shade of taste. Some of the essential components of chocolate paste are whey, whole or skimmed milk powder.

In addition, alcohol-containing liquids are added to some types of chocolate products. So be careful when choosing chocolate, and be sure to read what is written on the label.

The clergy remind that Great Lent is a refusal not only from certain foods, but also from the pleasures that we get when we eat goodies. So do not include too many sweets and chocolates on the menu these days.

Can you eat chocolate in fasting? Then - a counter question: is it possible to eat peas and beans in fasting? No matter how rhetorical the answer may seem, there is something to speculate about here.

The main product in the composition of chocolate is cocoa, the fruits of which, due to their name, are often attributed to the legume family. The history of some ancient monasteries, for example, Studian, gives us the tradition of distributing beans at the meal to the brethren, and they were eaten both raw and boiled. This tradition was reflected in the statute on fasting, which the Church uses to this day.

Life in the ancient monasteries was built in such a way that a very small amount of time was allotted for food and rest - just as much as was necessary to maintain strength. The rest of the time the monks spent in prayer, worship and work. Hence the peculiar diet. It was simple (what grew in the area), but at the same time allowed for physical labor. In our area, during fasting, dishes of beans and peas are often consumed. These products are very high in calories and contain a huge amount of protein, which allows you to maintain normal physical strength without breaking the fast.

South America is considered the birthplace of cocoa. According to researchers, cocoa has been used there since the 18th century BC. The range of its use was quite wide. Acquaintance with "brown gold" on our mainland happened only in 1519. The scientific name Theobroma (food of the gods) was given to it by the scientist Carl Linnaeus, exploring the culture of using cocoa in his historical homeland.

Cocoa was most often used to make hot drinks. It was only in 1828 that the technology of extracting cocoa butter and cocoa powder from cocoa beans was invented, from which hard chocolate could be prepared. The inhabitants of ancient monasteries simply did not know about cocoa or chocolate. However, it can be assumed that if they had such an opportunity, they would positively assess its benefits - and who knows, maybe the word “chocolate” would appear on the pages of the Charter.

Now a huge number of articles have been written about the benefits of chocolate and many reports have been read, so there is no point in dwelling on this in detail. Suffice it to say that the antioxidants and other beneficial substances contained in chocolate reduce the stickiness of platelets by 70% and reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, cancer and diabetes by almost 10%. In addition, chocolate is quite high-calorie and simply delicious.

With all the advantages of chocolate, a couple of dangerous points should be noted. First, it is our attitude towards it. The use of any food should never develop into an addiction to it. If a person is addicted to chocolate and cannot live a day without it, then chocolate for such a person is the first product that must be abandoned during fasting. A Christian should not become dependent on his desires and habits.

Secondly, food should not harm a person. Keep in mind that the chocolate we see on store shelves often contains unhealthy contaminants such as cocoa butter substitutes and sweeteners. There's nothing to be done: chemistry is the key to abundance. We need to check what we have in our hands: a bar of chocolate or a piece of plastic. This is inevitably reflected in the price. Good chocolate cannot be cheap, which means that we will never have much of it on our table. And there's nothing you can do about it - a little bit of good.

In general, the aesthetic side should always be present in the food culture, which puts the emphasis, first of all, not on quantity, but on quality. If we learn to apply this rule, then even a small piece of real fragrant dark chocolate eaten during fasting will not only give strength and energy, but also give joy.

Archpriest Vladislav Shestakov

The question of whether Orthodox Christians can eat chocolate during fasting is of interest to all believers who are used to eating sweets often. In such a difficult period of purification of the spirit, it is important to choose a diet so competently in order to provide the body with energy and at the same time not direct all thoughts to food.

Fasting Restrictions

Fasting is primarily a spiritual cleansing and a sacrifice to God for the harvested fruits. It involves abstaining from food of animal origin, including dairy products, eggs, and meat. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, according to the church charter, dry eating is practiced. This means that you can eat food that has not been cooked, without oil. These days are considered one of the strictest, so it is advisable to limit the consumption of vegetables and fruits.

The question of whether it is possible to eat dark chocolate during fasting can be answered positively only if it does not contain dairy components: milk powder, cream, etc. Ideally, it should be a natural black bitter dessert that is made solely from cocoa butter, cocoa beans, and sugar. If the package contains a complete list of various additives, consisting of incomprehensible names and many numbers and letters, it is better to refuse such a product.

Homemade chocolate toffee recipe

So, the use of dark chocolate in fasting is allowed, but it is not always possible to find the right product on the shelves. That is why it is better to cook a treat yourself at home. Such a dessert is not only tasty, but also hearty and healthy. Dried fruits are good for the heart (especially dried apricots), chocolate improves memory, concentration, activates the brain and improves mood.

To prepare treats, you will need the following products:

0.4 kg of dark chocolate;
250 g of granulated sugar;
250 g of rice;
2 glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice;
0.4 kg of dried fruits or nuts.

Here is a step-by-step instruction for making dessert at home.

Boil the rice until it becomes viscous, grind through a sieve.
Add sugar to orange juice and bring to a boil.
Add rice to hot syrup.
Boil again.
Cool to room temperature.
Put a thin layer on a plate or baking sheet, leave to harden for a day.
Dried fruits need to be poured with boiling water, then dried and sprinkled with chopped iris.
Boil water in a saucepan.
Put a bowl of chopped chocolate on it.
Stirring the chocolate, melt it until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
Dip pieces of toffee with fruit into melted chocolate, send to freeze in the refrigerator.

Such a healthy and satisfying chocolate in fasting will fill the body with energy, improve mood. You can experiment with proportions, add more ingredients or replace new ones with old ones, adjusting the sweetness to your taste preferences. If you want the layer of chocolate on the toffees to be thicker, after the first layer has hardened, you can dip them in chocolate again.

On the eve of major Christian holidays, believers observe fasting. This is done to purify the body and soul, to turn thoughts to the spiritual. Fasting should serve to strengthen the will, spirit and body. During fasting, many pleasures are banned - gastronomic and not only.

It is forbidden to eat fast food (meat, eggs, dairy products), alcohol. But what about sweets?

Sweets are allowed during fasting. But these should be special, lean treats.

There are no restrictions on sugar, because it is a vegetable product. But eggs, dairy products and animal oils are banned. For a lean treat, flour, jam or jam, sugar, honey, vegetable oil will do. You can add raisins, nuts, cocoa to your lean culinary masterpieces.

Chocolate in post

"But what about chocolate?" - you ask. You can eat chocolate in the post. But not everyone.

Only dark dark chocolate is allowed during fasting. It contains cocoa butter, cocoa powder and sugar. This chocolate contains no dairy products and animal fats. So, chocolate, carefully study its composition - it is written on the package.

Some church fathers even argue that, just as despondency is a sin, to cheer yourself up with a window of black bitter chocolate is a good and charitable deed. Such a small joy is not forbidden even to monks.

Special offer for sweet tooth

For fasting sweet tooth we offer honey cake recipe.

You will need:

1 cup of sugar,
200 ml of water
2 tablespoons of honey and cocoa,
1 teaspoon soda, half a glass of vegetable oil
half a glass of any jam or jam,
flour to taste
raisins, nuts,
a pinch of cinnamon.

Pour sugar into a saucepan, add honey, vegetable oil and water. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, so that the sugar is completely dissolved. Cool the liquid slightly - up to 35-40 C. Add cocoa, cinnamon and soda. Stir. Then add flour, stirring gently so that there are no lumps. The consistency of the finished dough should resemble thick sour cream. Add nuts and raisins.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Cut the finished gingerbread lengthwise and spread with jam.

According to the church charter, during the days of Great Lent, which in 2020 will last from March 2 to April 18, you can not eat products that contain ingredients of animal origin. Is bitter chocolate allowed? In different periods, it was either allowed or forbidden to use on such days.

It is worth recalling that the chocolates and bars we are accustomed to began to be produced only at the end of the 19th century, and before that in Europe and other countries of the world they drank a chocolate drink. Its name comes from the Atzek "chocolatl", which means "bitter water".

This drink was prepared from ingredients of plant origin. Although such foods can be included in the diet on fasting days, it is still not recommended to consume drinks that give pleasure.

Not surprisingly, the issue of chocolate has long been controversial. The opinions of the clergy on this matter differed radically. Pope Pius V, who was once treated to a cup of hot unsweetened chocolate, decided that it was not forbidden to drink it during fasting: after all, “such disgusting things cannot please someone” ...

After much debate, in 1662 the Catholic Church allowed chocolate to be consumed during fasts, after which it became very popular in monasteries. However, not all priests shared this view.

So, the Viennese Bishop John, who considered chocolate a sinful drink inciting passions, forbade the Franciscan monks to drink it. And later, when milk and spirits (wine, liquor and even beer) were added to this product, it was no longer consumed everywhere on fasting days.

So is it still possible to eat dark chocolate during Lent?

It is believed that sweets that do not include milk, cream, butter and eggs can be consumed at this time. Keep in mind that the better the chocolate, the fewer components it contains.

Dark chocolate, which can be eaten in fasting, includes only three ingredients: cocoa beans, cocoa butter and sugar. And no cream and milk powder! Often, soy lecithin, a plant-based ingredient, is also added to chocolate.

And some manufacturing companies produce chocolate that contains 99% cocoa and does not include sugar. However, alcohol-containing liquids are added to some types of chocolate products. In general, be careful when choosing such products, and be sure to read what is written on the labels.

Those who are interested in the question "Is it possible to use dark chocolate during the days of Great Lent?" Should know that the varieties of this product are distinguished depending on the content of cocoa beans in it. If in dark chocolate there are more than 60% of cocoa products, in semi-bitter (dessert) about 50%, then in milk chocolate - only about 30%. The higher the content of cocoa beans, the higher the quality of the chocolate.

Therefore, dark chocolate - "real" - is considered the most respected in the world. It has a more bitter taste and brighter aroma than other types of chocolate, and costs an order of magnitude more expensive; it is also considered the most useful.

Are there foods in chocolate that are prohibited in fasting?

This should be told a little more. Dark chocolate contains iron, which is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin in the blood. Tannin, which is part of chocolate, cleanses the body of toxins and regulates bowel function. Glucose increases the efficiency of the body.

Polyphenols prevent the formation of blood clots and improve blood flow. Antioxidants flavonoids, which are more in dark chocolate than in milk chocolate, reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular and oncological diseases, and successfully fight the aging of the body.

So, with the composition of dark chocolate, which includes only vegetable components, we figured it out. Are milk chocolate and chocolate paste allowed on fasting days? Alas, these products contain ingredients of animal origin.

Milk chocolate contains dairy products: as a rule, it is not fresh, but powdered (whole or skimmed) milk, whey, dried cream or milk fat.

Powdered milk is also added to white chocolate, which gives the products a peculiar shade of taste. In addition, gelatin may be included in chocolate, and it is rare for a manufacturer to state whether it is of animal or vegetable origin.

It often turns out that this component is porcine in origin. (That's why, by the way, some Muslims don't buy chocolates and sweets without proof that they're halal-compliant.)

The mandatory components of chocolate paste include whey, whole or skimmed milk powder. Of course, on fasting days, these products are not recommended for use.

How to properly treat chocolate during Lent?

However, the question of chocolate during Lent cannot be resolved by taking into account only the composition of this product. After all, one of the goals of fasting is the rejection of all kinds of temptations and pleasures in order to cleanse your body and soul.

The holy saints of God attached great importance to fasting. “It is necessary for a Christian to fast in order to clarify the mind and arouse and develop feelings, and inspire the will to good activity,” wrote John of Kronstadt.

By sacrificing our weaknesses, we gain true faith. And the struggle with one's passions and shortcomings is one of the goals of restrictions during this period.

And if you decide to fast properly, and not for show, then the answer to the question of whether it is possible to eat dark chocolate in fasting will be as follows: these days, it is better to limit or completely exclude any “goodies”, even lean ones, from the diet, if they are not vital to you, for example, if chocolate is not needed to maintain normal blood pressure, that is, it does not perform the function of a medicine.

At the same time, it is worth recalling that the purpose of fasting is primarily spiritual cleansing, and not the torture of the flesh. So the little chocolate bar you eat "to cheer up" will still not be a big sin - compared to the unkind thoughts and feelings that a believer should get rid of.

And what can be included in the diet instead of this product? It can be lean biscuits, cookies, lean pancakes from different types of flour: wheat, buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, barley (barley), pea.

If you like sweets, pancakes can be prepared with sweet fillings - with jam, preserves, marmalade, honey, etc. You can make sweet pumpkin filling by lightly simmering it in a frying pan with sugar.

Apples, bananas, pears or other fruits in the form of mashed potatoes or lightly toasted with sugar or honey, crushed nuts with sugar are also suitable for making fillings. Allowed in fasting and dried fruits - steamed, ground and mixed with honey or sugar. They, like other sweets, can be included in the fasting menu in small quantities.