Two Ways to Fast

Fasting is an essential Christian practice.  Christ says, "when you fast," not "if you fast" (Matthew 6:16).  In classical moral theology fasting is a key practice that is helpful against many vices including pride, gluttony, and lust.  The point is to deprive ourselves of the pleasures of food.  But, there are two ways to do this.

     First, we can seek to suffer hunger.  This can be done by eating smaller meals, skipping meals, or not eating any meals until late in the day (intermittent fasting).  The point of this method of fasting is to suffer hunger but maintain our decision not to eat - to grow in temeprance by practicing resisting an ongoing temptation to eat.  (see The Necessity of Fasting)

     Second, we can eat less tasty food.  Most of the food we eat in contemporary society is very delicious.  It is packed with flavor and we get dessert as often as we want.  We only eat foods which we enjoy.  So, one way to fast is to eat bland foods, eat foods you don't enjoy, don't eat dessert.  Doing this reduces the pleasure we have from eating.  This form of fasting is helpful for several groups of people.  First, people with more precise nutritional needs.  This could be athletes who need 5,000 calories daily, people with many allergies or various health issues.  Second, people just starting practices of penance or fasting.  Fasting by hunger (the first way to fast) is more apt to make people angry and irritable, more likely to make people lose charity due to hunger. 

     Since charity is the greatest virtue, it is important not to lose it by hunger.  Also, Christ says our fasting should be hidden, but if we become angry by fasting it is not hidden, "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).  To avoid this issue, beginners should start practicing mortifications with less risky practices such as this second way to fast.  This second way to fast reduces the pleasure of eating but does not leave us hungry and irritable towards others. 

     So, there are two ways to fast (1) suffer hunger by not eating - better for more people more advanced in the spiritual life (2) avoid pleasure in eating by only eating less delicious foods - better for beginners in the spiritual life and those with stricter dietery needs.