Sacrificing sugar for Lent- Sugarfree and Fake sugar things OK?

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Hi everyone,

First off, I know I am not supposed to talk about our sacrifices for lent (no grumbling) and I also know we are not supposed to involve ourselves in other people’s lenten sacrifices. But, I have a questions regarding me and my wife.

We both gave up sugar for lent as one of our sacrifices. We had gotten out of hand with going out for late night ‘treat’ or dessert runs after dinner and before bed. So, we both thought it was a good idea to nix those items for lent. We purposefully as well gave up the same thing so that we could help each other. Now, my wife and I have a conflict of judgment.

Tonight she had a sugarfree (fake sugar) Jello cup. I told her that if it were me I would consider that not holding to my sacrifice because fake sugar is meant to taste just like real sugar (even though it does not) and thus is no less of a ‘treat’.

What do you guys think about this? I swear I’m right in my decision not to have anything sugarfree because fake sugars only purpose is to lessen the calories and NOT the taste (or the ‘treat-ness’ of it). not to mention fake sugar is TERRIBLE for you

And, again, I know that her sacrifice is not my business, but we meant to help each other.
 
The truth about Lenten sacrifices is that they are completely voluntary and have no rules. So you get to decide for yourself what your personal rules are. If you gave up sugar and meant to include all sweet-tasting things under the umbrella of sugar, then the Jello cup is out. If you gave up sugar and meant only real sugar, then the Jello cup is OK. If you gave up desserts, the Jello cup is probably out, since it’s a (low quality) dessert.

The only Lenten sacrifices that have actual rules are fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and the abstinence from meat on the Fridays of Lent.

So you get to answer this for yourself. Perhaps the better question would be, “What brings me closer to God?”

Betsy
 
lol, I expected an answer of that nature. But, maybe unknown to you you answered our question, at least in your opinion. We definitely had the idea of giving up dessert, because that seemed to be our little vise.
 
cascherman said:
lol, I expected an answer of that nature. But, maybe unknown to you you answered our question, at least in your opinion. We definitely had the idea of giving up dessert, because that seemed to be our little vise.
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Personally, eating jello cups of any type would be a penance for me - yuck 😛
 
cascherman said:
Hi everyone,

First off, I know I am not supposed to talk about our sacrifices for lent (no grumbling) and I also know we are not supposed to involve ourselves in other people’s lenten sacrifices. But, I have a questions regarding me and my wife.

We both gave up sugar for lent as one of our sacrifices. We had gotten out of hand with going out for late night ‘treat’ or dessert runs after dinner and before bed. So, we both thought it was a good idea to nix those items for lent. We purposefully as well gave up the same thing so that we could help each other. Now, my wife and I have a conflict of judgment.

Tonight she had a sugarfree (fake sugar) Jello cup. I told her that if it were me I would consider that not holding to my sacrifice because fake sugar is meant to taste just like real sugar (even though it does not) and thus is no less of a ‘treat’.

What do you guys think about this? I swear I’m right in my decision not to have anything sugarfree because fake sugars only purpose is to lessen the calories and NOT the taste (or the ‘treat-ness’ of it). not to mention fake sugar is TERRIBLE for you

And, again, I know that her sacrifice is not my business, but we meant to help each other.
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QUOTE

I know that her sacrifice is not my business

UNQUOTE
 
Hmm… well, did you specifically sacrifice SUGAR… or was it a sacrifice of “sweets”? I would say if you specifically gave up SUGAR… that things with Nutrasweet would be ok.

However, if your intention was to give up all “sweets”… then, I’d stay away from artificial sweeteners too. I agree about the jello cups. lol. BLECH.😛

Hang in there… and God bless.
 
In a similar situation where people don’t eat meat yet they eat artificial meat. This idea really defeats the purpose.

If one wants to fast on sugar and still eats something that tastes like sugar, I think he/she defeats the meaning of his/her fasting.
 
give up whatever you choose, try to pick something meaningful that is a real sacrifice, and judge your own decisions accordingly. there is no rule about it, other than the standard Church discipline for fast and abstinence, as interpreted by your bishop. It makes no sense to fight about it, or let this be a bone of contention, which defeats the purpose of lenten penance, one of which is to foster charity.
 
My suggestion would be that during the time you would ordinarily going out for a sweet treat together, you can pray a Scriptural Rosary, Stations of the Cross, or meditate on a Scripture passage together.
 
cascherman said:
Tonight she had a sugarfree (fake sugar) Jello cup. I told her that if it were me I would consider that not holding to my sacrifice because fake sugar is meant to taste just like real sugar (even though it does not) and thus is no less of a ‘treat’.

What do you guys think about this? I swear I’m right in my decision not to have anything sugarfree because fake sugars only purpose is to lessen the calories and NOT the taste (or the ‘treat-ness’ of it). not to mention fake sugar is TERRIBLE for you

And, again, I know that her sacrifice is not my business, but we meant to help each other.
Click to expand...
Depending on the artificial sweetener used, I’m not sure it’ll be much of a treat. By telling her that if it were you that you would consider that not holding to your sacrifice, you did enough. It isn’t a sin to not hold to your penance practices for Lent, but can be a sign that you need to focus more on God. Pray for your wife, but don’t let this bother you very much.
 
Only your wife is in a position to judge if she was fudging on her intended sacrifice.

While you and your wife entered the fast together, you and she are not in identical spiritual states. You might consider that your wife’s concentrations in other areas make her unable to fast as strictly as you are able to. She might not be as inclnied to gluttony as you are and not in need of a strict fast. Or she might be more inclined to gluttony and more in need of mercy and baby steps. Wherever your wife is spiritually, help her to grow closer to the Lord and don’t compare her walk to your own.

Was the sugar-free Jello a sacrifice on her part which kept the sugar-free fast as she promised? Or was it a weakness which used a loophole to intentionally break it? Only she and the Lord know so there’s no use arguing about it.
 
I gave up sugar for lent and still eat some stuff sweetened with Nutrasweet & Splenda. But lately I’ve been noticing such a strong chemical aftertaste I can’t even go near the Nutrasweet or Splenda. Not even to put in my drinks.
My point is, artificial sweeteners are disgusting & I think they in no way compare to regular sweets.
 
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