Need help with gluttony

  • Thread starter Thread starter CanMan86
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CanMan86

Guest
I have some health issues and I can’t eat certain foods because it exasperates the condition. I find it a challenge to avoid these foods even though I know they only make my health worse. I tend to eat them anyway because they taste good (im not talking about junk food but foods like bread i have to avoid).

I need someone to show me how eating foods that damage one’s health is a sin. If I believe it is truly a sin then I will do a much better job at avoiding these foods. If someone could point me to some literature that points out what I am doing is wrong that would be helpful. For some reason I am stuck in a state where I eat foods that damage my health yet I still eat them anyways. Please someone show me how I can be more convinced that this is a serious sin!

Thank you.
 
It’s hard to avoid some things. I struggle too with these issues. We have to balance between not being scrupulous as we work on our diets to optimize them for our health and spiritual well-being (as in not being too attached to worldly pleasures).

Sometimes I’m finding that it’s a work in progress. I have to find what works for me, not what others tell me to do, but at the same time be honest with myself and not make rationalizations to eat too much or junky food.

Perhaps if you have a health condition that limits your ability to digest or metabolize one kind of bread, maybe there is a kind of substitute you can find. If we deprive ourselves too much we can set up a rebound/rebellion effect. Maybe your doctor or a nutritionist - and your spiritual director or priest - can help you come up with a sensible, reasonable plan for avoiding cravings. You can be firm with yourself but also be merciful and gentle - again, balance. 🙂
 
This is from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

" Gluttony is in general a venial sin in so far forth as it is an undue indulgence in a thing which is in itself neither good nor bad. Of course it is obvious that a different estimate would have to be given of one so wedded to the pleasures of the table as to absolutely and without qualification live merely to eat and drink, so minded as to be of the number of those, **described by the Apostle St. Paul, “whose god is their belly” (Philippians 3:19). ****Such a one would be guilty of mortal sin. **

Likewise a person who, by excesses in eating and drinking, would have greatly impaired his health, or unfitted himself for duties for the performance of which he has a grave obligation, would be justly chargeable with mortal sin."

I think this is what you were talking about as far as seeing where it as a mortal sin and maybe this leaving an impression on you.
 
Causing yourself harm in itself is a sin. You do not belong to you. Your body is on “loan” and is given to you as a shell to inhabit and interact in this physical world. To deface and mutilate what isn’t yours is the sin.
 
Yes thank you tuscany, I think I will print that off and read it everyday! Thank you!
 
…and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. (Proverbs 23:2 NIV)

I confess that I have a problem with gluttony too.
 
An idea came to me about this - I need to pray the Prayer Before Meals and add onto the end of it a prayer asking God to guide me in resisting the gluttony urge. I think if we pray each time we eat we will be aware and gain graces to resist this vice. 👍 Also, if between-meals is a problem, we could pray “God, do I really need this snack for my health or is it just something I want that is going to make me fat/sick/etc.?” And ask Him to help us make wise choices.
 
Hello,

I can only offer my new rule for life I began following a week ago. I have made a rule to eat nothing before lunchtime midday each day and to eat nothing after 6 pm. I intend to follow this rule religiously for the remainder of my life.

Now while this rule doesn’t directly address your query about how to avoid certain foods, what this rule does do is begin to teach me how to live a more healthy and righteous lifestyle. During the period of fasting I begin to speculate as to what I should eat to break my fast at 12.00 pm. I find that I am more discerning about what it is I choose to break my fast with, and also about the types of food I really do need and what are simply foods to satisfy my desires.

Jesus said deny yourself take up your cross and follow him, and anyone who cannot do that is not worthy of him.

God bless
 
I have made a rule to eat nothing before lunchtime midday each day

I really think that you should run this by your doctor first.
 
Perhaps you should pray for the conviction…its one thing to know something in your head, and another to feel it in your heart.
FWIW I follow the “no S diet” No seconds, sweet or snacks except for days that start with S. It really helps with gluttony.
 
yinekka said:
I have made a rule to eat nothing before lunchtime midday each day

I really think that you should run this by your doctor first.
Click to expand...
I would too. According to nutritional experts, breakfast, soon after waking up, is the most important meal of the day, and it should include some protein.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top