Which Fish Are Allowed During Fasting & Which Are Not?

If you are fasting or planning to fast, you might be wondering which fish are allowed and which are not. The truth is that there are specific rules and exceptions on this topic, so to help you understand clearly what is permitted and what isn’t, we’ve prepared a guide that answers all your questions.

Let’s take a look at which fish are suitable for fasting, as well as the days during fasting when you are allowed to eat fish!

Are fish allowed during fasting?

Fish are allowed only on specific days during fasting. However, which days these are depends on the fasting period (Lent and the Christmas fast), as each has different rules. Let’s look at them in detail:

Lent fasting

Fish are generally not allowed during Lent, just like other animal products such as meat and dairy. However, there are certain days within Lent when fish consumption is permitted. These days are March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation) and Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Holy Week.

On all other days of Lent, fish are not allowed because they are considered to have blood, whereas seafood is permitted since it is considered “bloodless.”

Christmas fasting

The Christmas fast, which lasts from November 15 to December 24, is not as strict as Lent. Fish is allowed from November 21 to December 17, except on Wednesdays and Fridays. From December 18 onward, fish is no longer allowed, but seafood is still permitted.

Which fish are “bloodless” and allowed during fasting?

There are no fish that are considered bloodless and therefore suitable for fasting. Instead, all seafood (shellfish and mollusks) is considered fasting-friendly, meaning you can consume it throughout the fasting period.

Which seafood can I eat during fasting?

During fasting, you can create countless fasting-friendly recipes using seafood such as:

1. Squid

Squid is an excellent source of protein during fasting periods when fish and other animal products are not allowed. It is also rich in nutrients such as copper, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and vitamin B12. These contribute to heart and bone health, muscle maintenance, and immune support.

2. Octopus

Octopus is another protein-rich food that also contains selenium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins. It can easily be included in your fasting diet, offering benefits such as reduced cholesterol, increased energy, and support for the nervous system. It is also low in calories and very filling, making it ideal if you are trying to lose weight.

3. Shrimp

Easy to cook, low in calories, and rich in protein, shrimp are one of the most popular seafood choices during Lent. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamin B12 for proper nervous system function, and astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant.

4. Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish, like squid, belongs to the mollusk family and is one of the best fasting-friendly alternatives to fish. It is rich in protein and nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and phosphorus. Its high nutritional value supports heart health, the nervous system, and metabolism.

5. Oysters

Rich in minerals and nutrients like vitamins D and B12, manganese, and selenium, oysters are a popular choice during fasting and beyond. They help support heart health, strengthen the immune system, protect bone health, and combat oxidative stress.

Is tuna allowed during fasting?

No, tuna is not allowed during fasting, except on the specific days mentioned earlier when fish consumption is permitted. Therefore, the same rules that apply to other fish also apply to tuna.

Conclusion

In general, fish are not allowed during fasting, with a few exceptions. However, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on protein while fasting! Seafood, which is permitted, provides not only protein but also many other valuable nutrients and a wide variety of cooking options.

At Biologiko Xorio you can find the best seafood and fasting-friendly products to create delicious, nutritious meals during fasting!