Lent question: Does chicken broth "count" as meat?

[Chicago526]

My usuall Friday lunch treat is sushi and a cup of instant Ramen chicken flavored noodles. Obviously the sushi is fish, no problem there. The ramen soup is just noodels and chicken broth, does that count as meat, since the broth is made from chickens, or am I okay because there isn't any actual chicken meat in it?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Technically? Yes.

Would I eat it? Yeah, probably

 

[VirtuallyMe]

technically probably yes...

But reality... no lol there is no meat in it just broth- which is often made from boiling the bones and discarded parts lol...

And if you are talking Ramen Noodles- you are even further removed and have dehydrated powder that used to be broth possibly- or it could be flavoring that has nothing to do with meat in the least...

 

[deekaypee]

Chicken broth is made from chicken parts, including meat, and as a vegetarian I wouldn't eat it. But you're abstaining from meat for Lent, so I think your decision might reasonably differ.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

Remember the spirit of Lent.

So many Catholics get caught up in the technicalities of fasting without considering why they are doing it. If sushi is something you treat yourself to rather than having it whenever, is it really sticking with the spirit of Jesus' sacrifice?

I'm not preaching. I don't abstain or fast because I believe the spirit of sacrifice was lost a long time ago.

 

[helenabear]

Depends... is it chicken flavored or chicken broth. There is a difference. I use granules for chicken and beef flavored broths that are not real chicken or beef. There are gravies out there like that too. I don't remember if there is real chicken particles in the Ramen or not... just look at the ingredients. And no, I would *not* eat it today.

 

[Chicago526]

Huh. Now that I think about it, it DOES say "chicken flavor" on it. I just figued it had some passing aquantence to a live chicken at some point.

Hmm, didn't equate the fact that the sushi is a "treat" to sacrficing for lent. I'll have to think about this!

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Christine]

Having just had a colonoscopy, I consider myself an expert on broth!

I got some Chicken Broth from Wal-Mart that was made from chemicals I believe! It had no protein in it. It was just artificial flavorings. I also bought some Swanson's Natural Goodness Chicken Broth which was actually made in the traditional way and it had 3 grams of protein in it (which tells me that some chicken components are in that broth).

So, I guess it depends on what your broth was made from.

Also, not an expert on Lent but didn't meat used to be avoided because it was a "luxury" item? If that is true, probably fish should be avoided since it is so darned expensive these days!

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Remember the spirit of Lent.

So many Catholics get caught up in the technicalities of fasting without considering why they are doing it. If sushi is something you treat yourself to rather than having it whenever, is it really sticking with the spirit of Jesus' sacrifice?

I'm not preaching. I don't abstain or fast because I believe the spirit of sacrifice was lost a long time ago.

This is very true...
In South Louisiana Most people are excited for Friday in Lent... fried fish and other seafood for dinner- crawfish boils on Good Friday... it truly isn't a sacrifice.

So for us- although we will have seafood during lent- every now and then- we usually eat eggs, grilled cheese, cereal, waffles or tuna on those Fridays.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Remember the spirit of Lent.

So many Catholics get caught up in the technicalities of fasting without considering why they are doing it. If sushi is something you treat yourself to rather than having it whenever, is it really sticking with the spirit of Jesus' sacrifice?

I'm not preaching. I don't abstain or fast because I believe the spirit of sacrifice was lost a long time ago.

I was reading an article about this the other day. When the practice of eating fish on Friday began, meat was a luxury and fish was plentiful. In today's society many people eat less meat for health/dietary reasons and seafood is treat for many of us. I don't eat meat on Fridays throughout the year. I find the sacrifice is in having to plan ahead! I have to have something for lunch at work other than a sandwich, I need to plan my Friday dinner differently rather than just pulling out whatever. Even today, we were ordering Chinese for lunch-no Wonton soup, no pork fried rice.

 

[delilah]

According to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, any item made with or containing components of poultry or mammal flesh counts as meat, but, any fish, shellfish, amphibian, lizard or invertebrate of any type would not count. I agree with the idea of sacrifice, however. There is a seafood buffet restaurant that advertises in the Catholic weekly newspaper that I think is totally contrary to the spirit of Lent. So, I stick with simple, home prepared meatless (and usually, seafoodless) meals on Fridays during Lent.

I used to eat a cup of prepared clam chowder on Friday during Lent, but, then I noticed that there was bacon in it. So, now I bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch on Friday.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

How are you giving up meat but still eating fish???

 

[AKL_Megs]

I think that if you are the type of person who cares about following the rules regarding Lent, then yes, if by any chance a chicken was involved, you should avoid your treat throughout Lent.

It makes me think of the time in about fifth grade at Catholic school when I accidentally ate a pepperoni on a Friday during Lent. I thought I would be going to Hell for sure! I can't say I follow the rules anymore... I had chicken soup for dinner tonight.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I would definitely say no on the Ramen noodle chicken thing. I doubt with every fiber of my being that that FLAVORING has any REAL chicken in it. Anything sold for 9 cents a pop can't really have much at all, if any, actual meat in it.

And if it makes you feel better, I had pepparoni (sp) on my pizza today. A 2 year old family member wanted me to eat a pepp. out of her hand and I firmly believe that doing a meesly action that will make family happy far outweighs a dumb (IMO) church-made rule. Our priest even went out to say that all Lenten activities (meat, sacrifices, etc.) are null if you're enjoying yourself with friends and family.

 

[DISUNC]

Why is being Catholic SOOOOOOOOOOOOO confusing...even over minute details????

 

[golfgal]

The priest in our old church had a great perspective on the no meat on Friday thing. He said that if giving up meat wasn't a big deal for you and you substituted a lobster dinner for a hamburger, it isn't really a sacrifice. He urged people to give up something or do something on Fridays during Lent that was hard for them to give up/do. If you drink 6 cans of pop every day, give THAT up on Friday's. If you like to snack through out the day, give that up instead. It is a LOT harder to do that then it is to give up meat and that is really what it is all about.

As for the chicken broth, if you are in doubt, don't eat it. You aren't going to go to hell if you have some Ramen noodles on Friday during Lent but in the spirit of the above example, since you consider that your 'normal' lunch, find something else to eat that isn't as enjoyable for you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I do have to say that the sacrifice is part of the "giving up meat". It really isn't in the list of ingredients.

I would find something else to eat for lunch if you want to stick with the spirit of Lent.

 

[java]

my mom's potato pancake on Friday flashbacks...........

 

[Micca]

I think it's ok. I used to go to church when I was a kid, and at the end of every prayer they used to say "Ramen"

 

[slo]

That's so funny that you asked that question, because I asked that same question to myself yesterday

I made a receipe that includes beef broth last night, and I didn't even think about it until I was pouring it into the reciepe. Then after it was poured, I thought, "Oh my goodness, can we eat this?" Then I thought, "we aren't eating meat, and I don't think God will condemn us because we had beef broth on Friday during Lent" So we ate it