Fasting and the Diabetic Patient
Fasting and the Diabetic Patient
Question
My mother is diabetic. Should she fast?
Answer
This depends on the degree of her diabetes, and I advise consulting a religious doctor regarding this, one who understands the relationship between her illness and fasting and the consequences of that for her health.
The laws of the Church exempt sick people from fasting when fasting harms their health. (Of course, this does not apply to every illness.)
Nevertheless, fasting may be more beneficial for a diabetic patient than eating… This is if she eats vegetables, stays away from sugary substances and fats, and consumes the beneficial type of oils. She should also eat fruits that are not rich in sugar, and in moderation.
The important thing is that your mother stay away from certain sweets, such as pastries and the like.
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