welcome to ByzyKeto- a blog about the ketogenic diet and fasting for faith and health reasons

I'm a long-time blogger at Fear Not Little Flock, and I'll still be writing about 'family, home, and faith' over there. Because of my interest in the ketogenic diet and how I can balance that with fasting guidelines as a Byzantine Catholic, I'll be writing here at ByzyKeto. about my journey balancing my ketogenic diet with Byzantine Catholic fasting guidelines.

There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to Byzantine and Orthodox fasting. Different churches have different recommendations and there is not the concept of 'mortal sin' if one falls short of the guidelines. Nevertheless, fasting is a huge part of Eastern spirituality.  Byzantine Catholics work with their spiritual father (perhaps their parish priest) to determine how much they will fast. Age, health, allergies all play a part in determining how severe the fast will be. 'On paper,' it looks very strict. 

Traditionally Byzantine Catholics and Orthodox Christians fast and abstain from all animal products every Wednesday and Friday and also fast during these seasons:

The Great Lent- 40 days before Pascha, or Easter

The Peter and Paul Fast (length differs, begins the day after the Sunday of All Saints (the Sunday after Pentecost) on the Eastern calendar until the feast of Sts Peter and Paul) 

The Dormition of the Theotokos Fast- August 1 to the feast of the Dormition (Assumption) 

The Nativity Fast or St Philip's Fast- beginning November 15th on new calendar to Christmas

Because of my health needs, I do not keep the fasting periods exactly as these guidelines call for. For the Dormition Fast which begins in two days, I will be doing 24-hour intermittent fasting, meaning one meal per day in the evenings using ketogenic food choices. My Wednesday and Friday meals will also be meatless. 

And when you fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men, but your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. --- Matthew 6:16-18