Lenten rules exception

[billcu1]

I am a 43 yo diabetic and have hypertension. Do the dietary rules of fasting apply to me? I would like personally to become vegetarian someday. I don’t know if that would make me anemic or not. My personal physician says that vegetarians can be anemic and she always writes me an order for complete blood count every 3 months. Just wanted to check and god bless our retiring pontiff who leads us.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

People with medical conditions, are pregnant, or breastfeeding are exempt from Lenten fasts.

 

[LilyM]

I am a 43 yo diabetic and have hypertension. Do the dietary rules of fasting apply to me? I would like personally to become vegetarian someday. I don’t know if that would make me anemic or not. My personal physician says that vegetarians can be anemic and she always writes me an order for complete blood count every 3 months. Just wanted to check and god bless our retiring pontiff who leads us.

A diabetic has to eat when they gotta eat. Be guided by your doctor on this.

Perhaps make small sacrifices such as substituting foods you really enjoy for something not so appealing.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Your doctor is the best one to guide you. In general, you don’t want to endanger your health.

Obviously it’s too late to ask about Ash Wednesday, but you can check before Good Friday. Tell her that on two days of the year the following applies: Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. source] Ask if this would be a problem for you.

You can also ask if fish would be OK in your diet once a week.

Hopefully you and your doctor will find a way to look after both your physical and your spiritual health.

 

[babochka]

People with medical conditions, are pregnant, or breastfeeding are exempt from Lenten fasts.

If fasting would endanger one’s health, certainly. Not all medical conditions would exempt one from fasting, however. I think in the case of the OPs diabetes, he or she not only is not required, but should not fast.

I once mentioned to my very Catholic (NFP only, EF Mass-attending) doctor that I was nursing my toddler, and was exempt from fasting. He kind of laughed and said that if I wanted to fast, I certainly had his blessing, as my physician, to do so; it wasn’t going to hurt me.

If someone has a concern and question as to whether fasting is required or appropriate, it would be a good idea to consult his or her pastor or confessor.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Diabetics shouldn’t fast, nor should they cut back on their food if they take medication. It is dangerous for them to do so. They can abstain from meat. I know that if I do not eat on time or not enough my blood sugar drops too low and I become weak and faint and dizzy. If one is on insulin it can be life-threatening. (I am not on insulin). And if one is supposed to have a snack at certain times, they should have it to avoid low blood sugar.

Giving up certain favorite foods can be done as long as the food intake is adequate.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

If fasting would endanger one’s health, certainly. Not all medical conditions would exempt one from fasting, however. I think in the case of the OPs diabetes, he or she not only is not required, but should not fast.

I once mentioned to my very Catholic (NFP only, EF Mass-attending) doctor that I was nursing my toddler, and was exempt from fasting. He kind of laughed and said that if I wanted to fast, I certainly had his blessing, as my physician, to do so; it wasn’t going to hurt me.

If someone has a concern and question as to whether fasting is required or appropriate, it would be a good idea to consult his or her pastor or confessor.

I know, I meant a medical condition that would require them to eat.