In Church tradition, Christians take up three practices during Lent - and they all relate to justice. The first practice is prayer, which relates to justice towards God. The second practice is fasting, which relates to justice to one's self. The third practice is almsgiving (giving to those in need), which relates to justice to our neighbors.
The fasting does not necessarily have to be food. It could be anything at all that tends to distract us from our focus on God and spiritual matters. For those who choose a food fast, it could be a fast from certain kinds of foods or beverages. It could be a fast from in between meal snacks, or from a meal each day. Some fast from sunrise to sunset. For those who give up something, they sometimes give the money they would have otherwise spent to the needy.
The point here is there is a whole range of options and freedom of what to do during Lent. However, if you give up something, it should be something that helps you to focus on God and spiritual matters, not something that turns your focus on what you have given up.
Another way to think about Lent is identifying with the suffering of Christ, which Philippians 3 encourages us to do. As you remember that Christ gave up eating for 40 days for our sake, you can ask yourself what am I willing to give up for 40 days to identify with that and to help me remember what He did. It can help you better understand this episode in the life of Christ.
Lent is a rich tradition to draw from in the Church - and I hope and pray you can grow in Christ and be renewed during it.
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