If necessary. The Catholic “fasting” discipline is so light that a pregnant or nursing mother should consult with her doctor to see if it actually is necessary to eat even more on the fasting days than is already permitted (one regular meal and two snacks). If her doctor clears her to observe the fast, she should do so. If not, she has just reason to follow her doctor’s guidelines and eat as much food as is necessary. (In the spirit of the fast though, she should strongly consider asking her doctor for help in discerning the minimum she needs to eat to provide necessary calories, but no more.)
