Can a diet be a sin?

[rosadelima13]

In what situations might going on a restrictive diet to lose a small amount of weight be sinful? This would not be for a matter of health because I am in the normal “range” just slightly pudgy. But I am struggling with this decision because I had pursued “body perfection” in the past, with disastrous results - an eating disorder, which has now rebounded and resulted in the present state. I feel that I now have been healed of the dieting obssession, and I now have reasonable goals, but how can I discern if God approves or disapproves of this?

 

[Trishie]

Dear friend, please eat a healthy balanced diet and please do some regular extra walking, but please don’t risk ‘dieting’ to reach your goal weight as you could fall into the old harmful trap.

This is a way that is respectful of the temple of God that your body is.

You can lose wight with a healthy diet and reasonable exercise, so I hope and pray you will decide to be healthy in your habits, and avoid the idea of ‘dieting’.
God has given you the gift of yourself, so please protect yourself in this way.
You know, I think, or you wouldn’t be asking what is the wholesome and good choice for you, soul and body.

Considering the fact that you have had serious issues with dieting in the past you may not be the best judge of what weight you need to lose,
and I would implore you to seek sound medical and nutritional advice, while also letting the health professional know your past eating problem.

May God bless you in all things.

 

[JRKH]

Dear friend, please eat a healthy balanced diet and please do some regular extra walking, but please don’t risk ‘dieting’ to reach your goal weight as you could fall into the old harmful trap.

This is a way that is respectful of the temple of God that your body is.

You can lose wight with a healthy diet and reasonable exercise, so I hope and pray you will decide to be healthy in your habits, and avoid the idea of ‘dieting’.
God has given you the gift of yourself, so please protect yourself in this way.
You know, I think, or you wouldn’t be asking what is the wholesome and good choice for you, soul and body.

Considering the fact that you have had serious issues with dieting in the past you may not be the best judge of what weight you need to lose,
and I would implore you to seek sound medical and nutritional advice, while also letting the health professional know your past eating problem.

May God bless you in all things.

Trishie,
GREAT ADVICE…

To the OP…
Do NOT go on a diet without close and proper supervision. As Trishie points out so well, you run the risk of falling back into old habits etc. Heck - given past issues, even the idea that you consider yourself “pudgy” could be a “red flag”. Just like a person who is recovering from some other addiction or disorder, you need to rely on others to help keep yourself in check. So talk to your doctor, your family and friends and be guided by their advice.

I hope I have not offended.

Peace
James

 

[domNoah]

In what situations might going on a restrictive diet to lose a small amount of weight be sinful? This would not be for a matter of health because I am in the normal “range” just slightly pudgy. But I am struggling with this decision because I had pursued “body perfection” in the past, with disastrous results - an eating disorder, which has now rebounded and resulted in the present state. I feel that I now have been healed of the dieting obssession, and I now have reasonable goals, but how can I discern if God approves or disapproves of this?

If the end of the diet is being done for vanity than yes it could be sinful. If it is being done for better health it is imperfect. If it is being done for penance, the accumulation of virtue or the Love of Jesus Christ then it is good.

Bodily perfection is to order our bodies to easily perform there duties and not to beat us up with the lusts of the flesh (inordinate desires for relations or food or comfort). It can also be done out of a motive of charity (for example to Please one’s spouse).

Try the high road and give up some food that you particularly like for love of God and replace it with something you don’t like as much. Offer this as penance for the sins of gluttony you have committed in the past and reap great spiritual benefits for your soul. God Bless!