A No Carb, No Protein Lent?

What when a true believer in the no-carb Atkins Diet is also a member of the Greek Eastern Orthodox Church, which stresses giving up meat, eggs, and dairy products during Lent?

That's what Perry Krilis of Chicago is trying to figure out. He's lost 25 pounds on the Atkins diet according to a story in today's Chicago Tribune.

"It's going to be hard. But I think I can balance both. I'll pretty much be limited to fish and vegetables," said Krilis, 44.

Rev. Dimitri Kantzavelos, chancellor of the Chicago Greek Orthodox Diocese, also an Atkins fan, says it's possible to follow Orthodox practices for Lent and Atkins diet.


If people keep in mind the importance of following their faith, everything else will fall into place, he said

"A diet we do for health or physical appearances is good for those reasons. But a fast for spiritual purposes has much more significant consequences," Kantzavelos said. "It brings us in tune with the spiritual and the divine."