I thought abstaining from meat on Fridays was cast aside during Vatican II. I was quite surprised to see it mentioned in Lenten context! However, since fish and chips meant Friday to me all during my yout, I am happy to return thereto.
My nutritionist (that I went to in a vain effort to stave off blood pressure medicine) recommends a diet similar to that which is called fasting, above. She would rather I eat a large breakfast than a large dinner. Does it matter? I am serious as I know most of the time the large meal is to be eaten at sundown.
There is no rule regarding what time one eats the full meal on a fast day. I usually eat mine at lunchtime, or I’m in hypoglycemic meltdown and have to go to bed by 4:00. If eating a full meal in the morning is what’s best for your health, there’s no religious reason to do something different.
As you point out, the present regulation for “fasting” isn’t far off from general healthy eating for many people. I don’t have any trouble with it, and I’m always either pregnant, nursing, or both.
Actually abstaining from meat on Firdays in commeration of Christ’s death and sacrifice on the Cross for us, was never obliterated by Vatican II. It has always been there.
It was the American Bishops who were waylayed into thinking that the easy road was the best road. We can pray for them that they will keep coming to their senses. As the bishops retire and new ones are put in place by Pope Benedict, things are changing.........................slowly.
“My nutritionist (that I went to in a vain effort to stave off blood pressure medicine) recommends...”
I discovered I was diabetic recently, actually by almost not coming out of the hospital. Since then, I’ve been on a very high fresh food diet...I basically cover half my plate with vegetables, one quarter carb, and one quarter protein...and if I’m really hungry I have a huge salad to boot...I’ve lost alot of weight and my energy is much higher. I can’t county calories or I think of food all the time, but the portion method works with lots of fresh vegetables.