when can we not eat meat during lent

In the Roman Catholic tradition, you cannot eat meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.

When meat is not allowed

• Ash Wednesday – No meat; also a day of fasting (one main meal, two smaller ones) for ages 18–59.

• All Fridays of Lent – Abstinence from meat for Catholics age 14 and up; fish and other non‑meat foods are allowed.

• Good Friday – No meat, and fasting rules apply as on Ash Wednesday.

When meat is allowed

• Weekdays other than Fridays – Meat is generally permitted, unless someone has taken a personal vow to abstain for the whole season.

• Sundays – Sundays are not “penitential” days, so meat is allowed even though they fall within Lent.

Quick‑reference table (Catholic practice)

Day / period| Meat allowed?| Notes
---|---|---
Ash Wednesday| ❌ No| Abstain from meat; fasting required for ages 18–59. 139
Lenten Fridays| ❌ No| Abstain from meat for age 14+. 359
Good Friday| ❌ No| Abstain from meat; fasting also applies. 139
Other weekdays in Lent| ✅ Yes| Unless you personally choose otherwise. 57
Sundays in Lent| ✅ Yes| Not days of abstinence. 35

Different Christian denominations (Orthodox, Anglican, etc.) may have stricter rules, so many believers check their own church’s guidelines each year.