Fasting

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KendraDZ1902

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What do you do when you don’t eat very much anyway? Like, some days, if my anxiety is really high, I usually have to force myself to eat something small. For instance, the other day I ate a bowl of cereal for lunch and maybe 2 tablespoons of cinnamon apples for dinner.
On days of fasting, if I’m having a bad day, should I just not eat at all? Should I not worry about this and just make sure that I don’t eat more than what I’m supposed to (one full meal and 2 smaller ones that should not equal the large one) ?
 
KendraDZ1902 said:
What do you do when you don’t eat very much anyway? Like, some days, if my anxiety is really high, I usually have to force myself to eat something small. For instance, the other day I ate a bowl of cereal for lunch and maybe 2 tablespoons of cinnamon apples for dinner.
On days of fasting, if I’m having a bad day, should I just not eat at all? Should I not worry about this and just make sure that I don’t eat more than what I’m supposed to (one full meal and 2 smaller ones that should not equal the large one) ?
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Ideally, one full meal only, which presumably is 1/3 of normal daily caloric requirements. So if the daily requirement is 1,920 kcal (moderate activity female 120 lb) then 640 kcal.

For Latin Catholics, on a fast day, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (SC 110):The paschal fast must be kept sacred. It should be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday, and where possible should be prolonged throughout Holy Saturday so that the faithful may attain the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection with uplifted and responsive minds.

The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat. The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.
 
Fasting is not required if you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe.

I would say that the unusual eating situation you describe counts as one (especially mixed with anxiety).

I would eat as much as you can those days and not worry about trying to cut back even further.
 
QuasiCatholic said:
Fasting is not required if you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe.

I would say that the unusual eating situation you describe counts as one (especially mixed with anxiety).

I would eat as much as you can those days and not worry about trying to cut back even further.
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I agree. Perhaps your “fasting” on those days could include other things besides food – going online, unnecessary conversation, TV watching.

Always remember the reasonfor fasting, not the mechanics of fasting.
 
KendraDZ1902 said:
What do you do when you don’t eat very much anyway?..
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What you do is up to you.

What the Church *requires *you to do, if you already habitually abide by the guidelines of fast is: Nothing more. Similarly, if one already maintains a vegetarian diet, on days of abstinence the Church requires: That you continue to refrain from eating meat.

To go *beyond *the requirements may be a pious and praiseworthy act. But no such action is required by the Church.
KendraDZ1902 said:
Should I not worry about this and just make sure that I don’t eat more than what I’m supposed to (one full meal and 2 smaller ones that should not equal the large one) ?
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You should not worry about this. Just make sure you continue to adhere to the Church’s guidlenes (which include: If your health *requires *that you eat specific foods or in specific amounts, you should do so).

tee
 
Fasting is for people who eat well.
If there are any anxiety issues around food, or a shortage of food, or health problems, then eating less is not the path to take.

There are other ways to remind one’s body and mind that we are spiritual beings, not slaves to this physical world. Some people make a television fast. (Forty days and forty nights without TV!) Or helping others in some new way, every day. Or spiritual reading. (Can you read for gospels in forty days? Of course you can!) Or giving time to Our Lord in Adoration. Or adopting a new devotion, like the Angelus, or the Office. There are many things to do for Our Lord if you cannot fast.

If you try something that does not involve food and drink, will you let us know how it goes?

Bless you!
 
Vico said:
Ideally, one full meal only, which presumably is 1/3 of normal daily caloric requirements. So if the daily requirement is 1,920 kcal (moderate activity female 120 lb) then 640 kcal.

For Latin Catholics, on a fast day, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (SC 110):The paschal fast must be kept sacred. It should be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday, and where possible should be prolonged throughout Holy Saturday so that the faithful may attain the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection with uplifted and responsive minds.

The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat. The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.
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Only allows but doesn’t not prohibit makes no sense.
 
Maybe if you are unsure you can talk to your pastor?

I have a similar, even though a bit different situation. Fasting for me has always been evry very difficult, causing much stress days in advance. I also eat unusually, with frequent small snacks instead of real meals. I also had anorexia when I was young, plus my health is a little bit frail; last year the day after Ash Wednesday when I did fast according to the guidelines, I got very dizzy after running up some stairs.

This all is in my case coppled with scrupulosity.

I have a very wonderful pastor who also knows about my scrupulosity, and I talked to him and he freed me from fasting.

Now - this has to do with scrupulosity- my mind keeps finding reasons why I maybe should fast anyway: Did I understand him right? Do I remember wrongly what he said? I can’t remember exactly how he put it… Hm., maybe the situation has changed a tiny bit, do I have to ask him again? I may have put it a little bit wrong when I told him the situation… Maybe I am just deceiving myself and fasting wouldn’t hurt me at all… Etc

Must quiet this down now.

For this Lent my main intention is to keep a journal in which I reflect not only on the Scripture readings for the day (especially, pick a sentence or so from them that strikes me as important or helpful and write it down, keep it as a kind of motto), but also on some spiriatul weaknesses that I will try to work on: Too much doubting, and also causing ymself stress and then becoming impatient with others… ok so I will be trying to work on REALLY trusting in God, relying on His love and mercy in regard to my scruples, growing in Faith that is, becaoming a less anxious and nervous person, reflecting on how much God/Jesus did for us and is still doing for us… maybe alligning my suffering (fear), should it come up, with Jesus’ suffering…
 
If you eat that little, than I think the best thing to do would be to eat things you don’t really like. It may sound like a joke, but I’m serious. Fasting is supposed to be a penitential act and its about denying yourself something that you want.

Cardinal Arinze once described simple fasting and abstinence people can do everyday as having one piece of toast instead of two, not putting sugar in your coffee, eating the toast dry, etc. It’s about that active denial of your will and offering it up to God.

So during Lent on Fridays I typically eat a 3 lbs lobster for dinner but I forgo the drawn butter:D

Just kidding, but I’m sure you get the idea
 
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