Fasting when working

[Kathrin]

Does anybody know if there is a special recommendation for people who work on fasting days? I think with God’s help I can manage, but I am not sure… my hours are from 8 to 2pm and invloves soem physcal labor too, and sometimes I feel my blood sugar go down (I am not diabetic, I am just speaking of needing energy) and need something. I am not somebody who feels good after a big lunch, it makes me tired, and usually I need something in the afternoon/evening. I am thinking of skipping lunch at work and just maybe drink some OJ (is that ok??) or have one of the allowed light snacks for the sugar, and then have my one meal in the evening.
But what if I have a low or something. I vaguely remember that if you work you don’t necessarily have to fast? What if you don’t work the whole day?

Kathrin

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Does anybody know if there is a special recommendation for people who work on fasting days? I think with God’s help I can manage, but I am not sure… my hours are from 8 to 2pm and invloves soem physcal labor too, and sometimes I feel my blood sugar go down (I am not diabetic, I am just speaking of needing energy) and need something. I am not somebody who feels good after a big lunch, it makes me tired, and usually I need something in the afternoon/evening. I am thinking of skipping lunch at work and just maybe drink some OJ (is that ok??) or have one of the allowed light snacks for the sugar, and then have my one meal in the evening.
But what if I have a low or something. I vaguely remember that if you work you don’t necessarily have to fast? What if you don’t work the whole day?

Kathrin

The Catholic definition of “fasting” doesn’t mean not eating at all. It’s generally defined as no more than one full meal and up to two smaller meals (that don’t add up to a full meal) as needed to maintain strength. (And, of course, not eating between meals.)

Some people observe this more strictly than others. Do what you can.

 

[Joe_5859]

Does anybody know if there is a special recommendation for people who work on fasting days? I think with God’s help I can manage, but I am not sure… my hours are from 8 to 2pm and invloves soem physcal labor too, and sometimes I feel my blood sugar go down (I am not diabetic, I am just speaking of needing energy) and need something. I am not somebody who feels good after a big lunch, it makes me tired, and usually I need something in the afternoon/evening. I am thinking of skipping lunch at work and just maybe drink some OJ (is that ok??) or have one of the allowed light snacks for the sugar, and then have my one meal in the evening.
But what if I have a low or something. I vaguely remember that if you work you don’t necessarily have to fast? What if you don’t work the whole day?

Kathrin

Keep an eye on the “Ask An Apologist” forum. I’m sure there will be more than a few fasting questions asked and answered in the next two days.

Canon Law doesn’t really spell out the specifics of what fasting requires (only that those between 18 and 58 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday). I usually hear fasting described as two small meals and one large meal with the two smaller meals together not exceeding the size of the one larger meal, and no “snacking” between meals. To be honest, I’m not sure from where this description comes. I do not believe drinks count as a meal. Thus, you can feel free to have some OJ and you do not have to count it as a meal.

I would think that, if your job involves physical labor and you feel your health is threatened, it would be okay to take a snack. For myself, I can get by just fine fasting for one day, even with physical labor. It may not be fun, but I never feel like my health is threatened. But I recognize that not everyone’s body reacts the same way as mine does.

 

[EasterJoy]

Work doesn’t exempt us from a fast. In religions where there is no work to be done on fast days–I’m thinking of Yom Kippur–there is no food and sometimes not even water allowed at all until it is time to end the fast. That’s 24 hours of nothing. (Suffice it to say there is very low-salt calorie-loading done among Jews just prior to Kol Nidre night.)

When you truly fast, you’re going to feel it. I’ve spent time with Muslims during Ramadan, and by the time the day is over, they’re ready for the sun to go down! Keep in mind, too: this is every day for a month, and the work goes on. They manage, though. Still, you should not endanger your health. Choose your foods so as to do as well as you can, but if you have to eat to keep from putting yourself or others in danger, then do so.

Strictly from the nutritional standpoint, your blood sugar will be kept more stable if your meals have a low glycemic load. Stick with proteins, a moderate (not low or high) amount of fat, and high-fiber carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains. The fiber keeps the stomach from emptying so quickly, both giving a feeling of fullness and preventing all the sugars from being dumped into the bloodstream at once.

Steer away from carbohydrates that have been separated from their fiber, including fruit juices, and ones that have been pureed or overcooked. (If you look up “glycemic load” on the internet, you’ll get more information than you ever wanted.)

 

[jc-servant]

It sounds like perhaps having the large meal for breakfast would make more sense prior to a day of physical labor? I used to do a fairly strenuous job in the past and I ate a hearty meal to start my day with a much smaller one during my shift and only a “snack” as the 3rd meal. This was on regular days, but it would not exceed the fasting directive we received in RCIA about one normal meal and 2 snack-size meals that put together don’t equal the large meal for the day.

As has been said carbs are good for keeping one on an even keel and not too hungry. I’m thinking a generous bowl of real oatmeal or other hot cereal with some fruit (not instant packets which don’t fill me as well). An egg or two and some milk. At work perhaps 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich and at home at night maybe an apple and water or as an alternative a small cup of veggie/noodle soup or 1/2 grilled cheese.

When I was in law enforcement at times we simply didn’t get our meal break or a snack. If one is already healthy and filled with a good meal before work, even 8 hours of physical activity should be OK. When we worked some major events everyone got stuck on 12-hour shifts still with only 1 meal break that may or may not happen. Having a job where you must get out of the public view to eat is good for teaching one to make do with a hearty 1st meal of the day.