Question: what is the reason for no meat during lent

title: Fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church
text: Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens , cows , sheep or pigs -- - all of which live on land . Birds are also considered meat . Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat . Thus , such foods as chicken broth , consomme , soups cooked or flavored with meat , meat gravies or sauces , as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden . However , moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal - derived products ( except foods such as gelatin , butter , cheese and eggs , which do not have any meat taste ) . Fish are a different category of animal . Salt and freshwater species of fish , amphibians , reptiles , ( cold - blooded animals ) and shellfish are permitted .