Questions about fasting

[AaronsStaff]

I have few questions about fasting which I have been wondering about, and was wondering anyone here could answer them.
My first question is what are the different types of fasting, I have always thought of fasting as no food no drink, but I also have come know that the Church defines it as the taking of only one full meal and two smaller, meatless meals that don’t equal the large one meal.
Which one is the one that most people practice?

Also, according the Church’s version it says that you can have 2 smaller meals, my quesiton is…what defines a meal? and a related question, what if you dont want to eat a “meal” at these two smaller occasions, can you just have a snack or something instead of a small meal? For example instead of having a small lunch, as part of your fast, you decided to just have a bag of chips…would this be acceptable?

hmm…actually I have so many questions, maybe it would be better in linear form.

• Is chewing gum breaking a fast?
  -are there any foods that are not acceptable to be eaten when you are fasting besides meat on days of abstinence?
  -Are there any drinks that are not allowed? should you stick to water, or can you have soda, juice etc?
• Can you drink in between the smaller meals and the larger meal?
• Can you choose to not eat 2 smaller meals and just eat one large meal or regular (which ever is perscribed)?
• Is there a reason to be afraid to fast? I mean that, lets say you decide to fast on a given day even though it is not required, and later on you end up caving out of hunger and break the fast would this be a sin?

 

[Andruschak]

I have few questions about fasting which I have been wondering about, and was wondering anyone here could answer them.

***I’d be happy to give you my OPINIONS

My first question is what are the different types of fasting, I have always thought of fasting as no food no drink, but I also have come know that the Church defines it as the taking of only one full meal and two smaller, meatless meals that don’t equal the large one meal.
Which one is the one that most people practice?

*** There are numerous types of fasting, although most Catholics would stick to the traditional one full meal + 2 smaller snacks style. That is what I do

Also, according the Church’s version it says that you can have 2 smaller meals, my quesiton is…what defines a meal?

*** Probably your normal dinner amount. What you would get at a restaurant meal, for example.

and a related question, what if you dont want to eat a “meal” at these two smaller occasions, can you just have a snack or something instead of a small meal?

*** Of course. Actually, I have my dinner around noon, and a supper around midnight when I get back home. No snacks of solid food inbetween

For example instead of having a small lunch, as part of your fast, you decided to just have a bag of chips…would this be acceptable?

*** Indeed, although fresh fruit would probably be better for you

hmm…actually I have so many questions, maybe it would be better in linear form.

• Is chewing gum breaking a fast?

*** Only if you swallow. (“Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?”

-are there any foods that are not acceptable to be eaten when you are fasting besides meat on days of abstinence?

*** Not that I know of

-Are there any drinks that are not allowed? should you stick to water, or can you have soda, juice etc?

*** Anything you want except milkshakes, which are considered solid food. Water, Milk (I drink a quart of non-fat milk on fast days, because I need the calcium), coffee, tea, fruit juice, you name it.

• Can you drink in between the smaller meals and the larger meal?

*** Yes, and you should, to prevent dehydration.

• Can you choose to not eat 2 smaller meals and just eat one large meal or regular (which ever is perscribed)?

*** Of course

• Is there a reason to be afraid to fast? I mean that, lets say you decide to fast on a given day even though it is not required, and later on you end up caving out of hunger and break the fast would this be a sin?

*** Now that is something to talk about with your Priest and/or Confessor and/or your Spiritual Director. And you should talk to them BEFORE trying to fast to make sure you are doing it for the correct motives.

@@@@

Big time opinions section:

1. Your body is a Temple Of The Holy Spirit, not to be damaged by OVER-fasting. A checkup with your Physician, and a request for guidelines, is important. In my case, at age 63, my Physician gave me several rules to be observed.

And it was to be no bread-and water fasts, or juice fats, or anything alse. Just that one traditional nourishing dinner, and a supper of nourishing foods. No fast foods or convenience foods, no potato chips or simular snacks. (And that was a penance right there for me. )

1. Start small and easy. Maybe one day a week, Friday is traditional. Again, work this out with your Priest, Confessor, or Spiritual Director