Lent 2019: 5 interesting facts about the 40 days religious observance

Food is the most popular category for abstention

Thanks to the internet, it’s possible to follow in real time what Twitter users say they are giving up for Lent.

This year, food (sweets, soda, sugar, chocolate, meat) is the most popular category for abstention, followed by technology and smoking/drugs/alcohol. Last year, social networking topped the list, followed by Twitter, alcohol, chocolate, and swearing.

While the vast majority of Christians give up something that they enjoy for Lent, others place less emphasis on what to give up — and more on what they do, volunteering and giving of themselves to others.