"Since Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday, we refrain from eating flesh meat in his honor on Fridays," stated the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Flesh meat includes the meat of mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken and turkey.

There are several foods that are acceptable to eat on Ash Wednesday. These foods include milk, eggs, fish, grains, fruits and vegetables, according to Forklift and Palate. There also are no limits on most beverages you can have on Ash Wednesday so coffee and tea would be acceptable.

Lent begins Feb. 18. Here's what Catholics in Illinois need to know about fasting, abstaining from meat, and other practices during the six-week period.