How to define gluttony

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How would you define when gluttony becomes sin, then when it becomes mortal sin. For example would exceeding the daily sugar intake recommendation be mortal sin? I wouldn’t think so.
 
Well, gluttony is always sin.

The occasion of gluttony is given by Aquinas in Question 148 of the Summa…

Gluttony denotes, not any desire of eating and drinking, but an inordinate desire. Now desire is said to be inordinate through leaving the order of reason, wherein the good of moral virtue consists: and a thing is said to be a sin through being contrary to virtue. Wherefore it is evident that gluttony is a sin.
 
So would this mean that for example buying expensive designer clothing is gluttony, I really hope it’s not.
 
Well, it’s not gluttony, but… Do you have to spend that money on clothes? Why not give to the poor, and buy normal clothes?
 
Well I am not an adult yet I would usually spend birthday money and Christmas money on designer clothing but when I’m older I would give money to charities aswell as buying nice clothes I think. Depending on how much I earn 👍
 
It would depend on why and how. Do you want quality clothes that last or do you want to look down on others who can’t afford them? Does your job require a certain look? Are you spending money you don’t have, or spending so much you have nothing left for others? Do you have more than you can reasonably wear?

People have different food needs, too. One person may need a high calorie diet, that doesn’t make them a glutton. I hope someone will post the list (I think Aquinas’s?) about how gluttony can be committed. It can also mean being too picky or not eating enough. Basically, food and the enjoyment of it occupies too much of your head space, space which should be devoted to love of God and neighbor.
 
Absolutely.

Maybe, when you get Christmas and birthday gifts, try to give 10% to the church or a good charity before you do.
 
Here’s what Fr Mike has got to say about it. He’s always a good source
 
Why do you think you should wait until you are an adult to give to charity? And saying you will give depending on your income is not right either. You should give from your heart, not your excess.
 
I liked the video, and was glad to see him address gut tony as more than just food. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, is this enough? We need to say no to food, but also, media, social media, and yes, even CAF. I have heard many people say these things are addicting. That is an area then that they need to step away from because it is an occasion of gluttony.
 
Start fasting - if you want to learn about the roots of gluttony.

I remember having a colonoscopy - and drinking this horrible liquid -
my body was totally cleared out - of all things - everything - a tiring ordeal -
It was like starting over, afresh, when I was allowed to eat food again !
I could see how all the junk food I ate - did me NO GOOD.
 
Gluttony is Always a deadly sin.

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote about several forms of the sin Gluttony:
  1. Eating too soon/before a set mealtime
  2. Eating too expensively
  3. Eating too much/more than the body needs
  4. Eating too eagerly/too focused on food
  5. Eating only dainty foods/a picky eater
  6. Eating too wildly/too fast
I also read somewhere, like in a Catholic Newspaper or somewhere, that any food addiction, like caffeine or sugar, also falls under the sin of gluttony. The only way to know if you have an addition, is to eliminate it from your diet.

In the New Testament, there’s a verse that says, “For one who knows what is right to do, but fails to do it, for him it is a sin.” I apply this verse to myself in regards to gluttony, because I know from previous experience & from my doctor’s advice based on scientific studies that the Ketogenic diet with Intermittent Fasting is right, but I fail to do it consistently, so for ME it’s a sin. I need to repent and seek God’s assistance to do what I know is right.

God loves us and offers the very best for us. He is merciful and will come to our aid, if we seek Him.
 
I know this one guy - who is a glutton -
The way he talks about food - all kinds of food -
from steak - to a special peanut butter -
He’s a gym rat also - 32 or so - health nut -
so he’s on this constant seesaw - of eating and working it off -
His dad is grossly overweight - and so is his brother -
I wonder if it’s in their genes ?
 
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michael-kaw said:
How would you define when gluttony becomes sin, then when it becomes mortal sin. For example would exceeding the daily sugar intake recommendation be mortal sin? I wouldn’t think so.
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You mean grave matter? You can see why the following will be grave matter:
  • eating or drinking far more than a person needs for strength
  • eating certain kinds of food with known detriment to health
  • indulging the appetite for lavish food or drink which is not affordable
  • eating or drinking ravenously
  • drinking alcohol resulting in losing full control of one’s reasoning powers.
 
I agree. And giving doesn’t have to be about money…you can give of your time (volunteer, I’m sure your church can offer suggestions) or help with chores at home (without expecting anything) and even when you have nothing, you can always give your smile and a kind word.
 
Eat too much and you’ll find yourself standing tall before the man. Hoorah!
 
Can you be a glutton for internet or attention? Like having difficulty being alone
 
Yes, I wonder that too. I am just coming off Lent fasting. I had a lot of pretty simple meals. I thought I would be in a state of deprivation but in fact I ended up enjoying them not much less than normal meals. I actually wonder if there is something wrong with me - isn’t there some Church Father who laments his passion for lentils? I totally get that. Seriously, I still don’t believe it’s gluttony. It’s joy. I don’t think about food all day long at all; I think about a lot of things; and maintaining good physical and spritual health is important and Christian. However, I do think our culture does obsess about food; I will admit that - restaurants, food reviews, cooking schools, shows. Maybe it is a bit over the top. Fasting does increase your awareness of this potential pitfall, and your resistance to it. (along with other benefits) I agree that over indulgence in food opens the door to other excesses, weaknesses as well.
 
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