Even while eating, they were also interested in nourishing their souls

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

Even while eating, they were also interested in nourishing their souls.
They used to take it in turn while they ate, to read aloud a Saint's biography or “Sayings of the Fathers”. This helped withdraw their minds away from food and materialistic issues, and at the same time be nourished spiritually while they ate their food. They avoided being fully occupied with the body and became accustomed to the discipline of the soul over every bodily act.
The commandments oblige us to fast, but our Fathers did not fast because of them.