What Is Considered Meat When Fasting? A Guide to Religious Rules

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Catholic Canon Law, the definition of meat for fasting generally excludes fish, amphibians, and shellfish, a distinction that surprises many. To properly adhere to religious observance, it is crucial to understand what is considered meat when fasting according to different traditions.

Quick Summary

Religious definitions of meat during fasting vary significantly across denominations, with distinctions made between warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals, plus other food groups.

Key Points

Catholicism: For fasting purposes, meat is defined as the flesh of warm-blooded land animals and birds, but not cold-blooded creatures like fish.
Orthodox Christianity: This tradition has a stricter definition, forbidding fish and all animal products with a backbone, along with dairy and eggs on fast days.
Daniel Fast: Some modern Christian fasting draws from the biblical account of Daniel, which involves abstaining from 'delicacies' like meat, wine, and rich foods.
Shellfish and Dairy: Shellfish are typically permitted in both Catholic and Orthodox fasting, while dairy and eggs are allowed for Catholics but restricted for Orthodox believers.
Broths and Flavorings: Meat-flavored liquids like broth are technically not forbidden in Catholic tradition, though the spirit of the fast suggests limiting such indulgences.
Spiritual Focus: Beyond the specific dietary rules, all religious fasting emphasizes the spiritual intention of self-denial and drawing closer to God.

The Catholic Perspective on Meat Abstinence

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the law of abstinence forbids the consumption of meat from warm-blooded animals on certain days, such as Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. This rule applies to land animals and birds, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. The reasoning is historically rooted in associating such meat with feasting and luxury, making abstinence a form of penance.

However, this rule does not prohibit all animal-derived products. Eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products are generally permitted. Furthermore, cold-blooded animals are explicitly excluded from the abstinence rule. This is why fish, shellfish (like shrimp, lobster, and crabs), amphibians, and reptiles can be consumed on days of fast and abstinence. While meat-based broths or flavorings are not technically forbidden, moral theologians often encourage a broader spirit of sacrifice.

The Nuance of the Spirit of Sacrifice

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website points out that while consuming lavish seafood on a fasting day is technically permitted, it can miss the penitential spirit of the observance. The focus is on self-denial rather than simply following a legalistic loophole. For this reason, many faithful choose simple, non-indulgent meals even when permitted to eat fish.

Orthodox Fasting: A More Comprehensive Abstinence

The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains a significantly stricter tradition of fasting and abstinence, particularly during Great Lent. Unlike the Catholic practice, the Orthodox definition of meat includes all animals with a backbone, meaning that fish is prohibited on most fasting days.

Orthodox fasting also goes beyond just meat:

Fish: Prohibited on most fast days, with exceptions made for certain feast days like Annunciation and Palm Sunday.
Eggs and Dairy: Forbidden during periods like Great Lent.
Wine and Oil: Abstinence from these is also part of the stricter fast on most weekdays.
Shellfish: Cold-blooded species without backbones, such as shrimp, scallops, and squid, are generally permitted.

Biblical and Modern Fasting Interpretations

Outside of traditional Catholic and Orthodox practice, other Christian denominations approach fasting differently. Some focus on modern interpretations of biblical fasts, like the Daniel Fast.

In the book of Daniel, the prophet abstained from “delicacies,” meat, and wine. For modern practitioners, this often translates to a short-term commitment to a vegan diet, avoiding animal products, processed foods, and sweets to focus on spiritual discipline. Many Protestant denominations view fasting as a personal, voluntary act of worship rather than a church-mandated rule. The specific restrictions are decided by the individual or their church, focusing on drawing closer to God.

Understanding Traditional Definitions vs. Modern Ingredients

Navigating fasting can be complex in a world of processed foods. Traditional fasting rules, like those from the Catholic church, historically allow animal-derived products that do not have a “meat taste,” such as gelatin, butter, and cheese. This is why certain broths or condiments made with animal fat are technically permitted, though again, the penitential spirit is the primary guide. However, modern ingredient lists require careful attention. For example, some brands of crackers or baked goods may contain lard or milk solids, which Orthodox rules would prohibit during certain fasts. Ultimately, individual believers and spiritual guides must interpret these traditional rules for their daily lives.

Catholic vs. Orthodox Fasting: A Comparison


Food Category	Catholic (Lent)	Orthodox (Great Lent)
Meat	Abstinence from land animals and birds (warm-blooded) on designated days.	Abstinence from all animal flesh with a backbone, including fish.
Fish	Permitted on days of abstinence.	Generally prohibited, except on specific feast days.
Dairy & Eggs	Permitted throughout.	Prohibited.
Shellfish	Permitted (cold-blooded).	Permitted (no backbone).
Wine & Oil	Permitted.	Prohibited on most weekdays.
Focus	Specific rules on designated days of penance.	Stricter, longer-duration commitment involving dietary and spiritual discipline.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Spiritual Commitment

The question of what is considered meat when fasting does not have a single, universal answer. It is a matter of specific religious tradition, historical precedent, and personal spiritual discernment. While Catholic practice traditionally focuses on abstaining from the flesh of land animals and birds, allowing fish and dairy, Orthodox fasting embraces a more comprehensive denial of animal products, including fish, eggs, and dairy, on fast days. Both traditions, along with modern biblical interpretations like the Daniel Fast, emphasize that the external act of abstaining from food is meant to support an internal spiritual practice of sacrifice and reflection. Regardless of the rules, the intent of the heart is what truly matters when undertaking such a spiritual discipline. For those seeking clarity on Catholic Canon Law, the EWTN website offers comprehensive resources on fast and abstinence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Historically, the Catholic Church defined meat as the flesh of warm-blooded animals and birds. Fish, being cold-blooded and not considered a luxury food in medieval times, was excluded from the rule of abstinence.

Yes, technically, chicken broth and liquid foods flavored with meat are not forbidden in the Catholic tradition. However, the intent of the fast is to practice penance, so many people choose to avoid even these products.

No, fasting rules vary widely. Catholic and Orthodox Christians have distinct definitions of meat and different lists of prohibited foods. Protestant traditions often leave fasting rules up to the individual, referencing biblical examples like the Daniel Fast.

Yes, for Orthodox Christians, meat is defined as all animals with a backbone, which includes fish. Therefore, fish is prohibited during fast periods like Great Lent, with some exceptions for feast days.

In Catholic fasting, dairy products like cheese, milk, and eggs are not considered meat and are permitted. However, in Orthodox fasting, dairy products are prohibited during major fast periods.

The Daniel Fast, based on the biblical account, involves abstaining from meat, wine, and rich foods. Modern practitioners typically follow a vegan-style diet, eliminating all animal products, processed foods, sweeteners, and alcohol.

In both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, shellfish are generally permitted. These creatures are cold-blooded and lack a backbone, placing them outside the definitions of meat for fasting purposes.