Should You Fast With An Eating Disorder History? (What This Christian Dietitian Thinks)

As a follower of Jesus and a Registered Dietitian, I’ve spent the last several years wrestling with many Christian concepts as I work with people on improving their relationship with food and body image. One question I receive often is about fasting — “Is it okay to engage in the spiritual discipline of fasting while actively suffering from an eating disorder? Is it ever okay to fast with a history of disordered eating or with an unhealthy relationship with food?” These are great questions. What follows is not meant to encompass ALL possibilities/conclusions when it comes to this topic, but I hope it gets the conversation started.

Before we come to a conclusion, let’s dig into the purpose of spiritual disciplines and more specifically the discipline of fasting.

Spiritual disciplines are practices or activities found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in Jesus. Bible reading, prayer, fasting, meditation, worship, almsgiving, solitude and fellowship are examples of spiritual disciplines. However, it’s important to note that the disciplines themselves do not guarantee transformation. To quote the CS Lewis Institute, “From a Christian perspective, however, it is simply not possible to increase one’s spirituality without possessing the Holy Spirit and submitting to His transforming instruction and power.” Much of our walk as Christians who have given their lives to Jesus is about becoming like Jesus — learning to listen to and rely on His grace and love to sustain us instead of clinging to the world or ourselves. 

What is fasting?

Fasting is the act of abstaining from food for a period of time. 

In the Old Testament, fasting was done on two occasions: 

1. Involuntarily – Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, people fasted in order to prepare themselves for a time of confession, atonement, repentance (Leviticus 23)
2. Voluntary response to a significant event – people of Israel responding to plague, sickness, death (Judges 20:26, Nehemiah 9:1)

Regardless of the occasion, it’s clear that fasting was a definitive practice for Jewish people.

New Testament Context

In Jesus’s time, the Pharisees had instituted a regular practice of fasting, and they were very clear to let others know they were doing so (even though the OT didn’t teach this regular practice of fasting — aside from Yom Kippur). 

In Matthew chapter 6, we hear Jesus talk about fasting for the first time. Though Jesus does give us a piece of text in Matthew, he doesn’t give specific protocols for when to fast. He does, however, tell us what to do/not do.

Matthew 6: 16-18

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus is saying not to let others know you’re fasting — not to let others know you are suffering. I listened to an incredible sermon on Fasting from Bridgetown Church, and Bethany Allen, who preached, said this: “Jesus understands self-denial often invites the desire for recognition and acclaim, which itself can become the reward for one’s efforts. The problem is that reward is meaningless and insignificant for a true disciple of Jesus.” Fasting for the sake of praise is not the point. 

Instead, Jesus instructs us to: “put oil on your head and wash your face.” In other words, don’t let others know you are fasting, hungry and/or suffering. Only God should know you are fasting.

Also according to that Bridgetown podcast, there are two main opinions for what the purpose of fasting is (paraphrased below):

1. Instrumental view – We fast to gain a benefit
2. “Sacred moment” view — Whole body response to a sacred moment – i.e. sin, death, fear of war. Outcome isn’t determined by us but a result of how God moves. We fast AS a response, not FOR a response. 

(They support the second option as opposed to the first.)

Fasting & Our Relationship with Food

With all of that in mind, I believe fasting is a practice meant to refine our desires from the world to Jesus. Fasting is an opportunity to learn and experience our deep reliance on Christ and nothing else. (It is not the only practice that can do this!)

Fasting is not an opportunity to lose weight quickly. Fasting is not an opportunity to try a new diet. 

If you are looking forward to fasting, hoping to manipulate your body size or “detox” your body, it’s probably not appropriate for you to fast (and that’s okay!). I don’t usually say things so directly, but I think it’s important to be clear about this one. 

Note: Fasting is the most popular method of dieting right now. The church is not immune to diet culture, and unless we are actively rejecting this culture, it will seep in. It has seeped in. I’ve heard many pastors make jokes about weight loss while mentioning fasting in the same breath. I know this hurts so many of us. But before we get angry, let’s again acknowledge: churches live in the same culture we do. Without an honest examination of the harm of these comments, these leaders likely don’t even know they’re in error. 

All that to say, here are my professional suggestions for whether or not you should fast with a history of an eating disorder, disordered eating or an unhealthy relationship with food.

First and foremost, consider your heart (Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 26:2). Jesus wants our hearts. What is the purpose of your fast? Is there a small piece of you hoping for weight loss or a change in your body? Are you craving to dive deeper into your reliance on Christ? (Again, understand there is more than one way to dive deeper into your relationship with and reliance on Christ.)

Second, seek wise counsel. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, it’s very possible to experience cognitive effects, especially if you are malnourished. This is not because something is inherently wrong with you — our brains change when they aren’t fed. It’s okay and quite normal to need support from others. Please reach out.

A few other considerations:

Those actively suffering from eating disorders should not fast. Eating disorders are significant mental health illnesses. They are not to be taken lightly. They are one of most deadly mental health illnesses. If you or someone you love is suffering from an eating disorder, you deserve care and food. You should be well-nourished and free from preoccupation with food and body size before you engage in the spiritual discipline of fasting. I once heard it phrased, “When I was in the throws of my eating disorder, it would have been more difficult for me to eat than to not eat.” If you identify with this, please seek the support you need.

Those with a preoccupation with body image should not fast. If fasting becomes an opportunity to try to change your body size, it’s not recommended. This is nothing to feel shame about — but healing your body image before you try to engage in fasting is important.

It’s okay if now isn’t the time. To quote a dietitian and blogger I respect, Kylie Mitchell of ImmaEatThat, “If you find fasting from food leads you into more preoccupation with food + your body size and misplaced praise and worship (i.e. worship of pants fitting less snug instead of worshipping Christ), it’s likely that food fasting isn’t healthy or helpful for you at this time.” That doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to fast, but it’s important to ask yourself if this practice will bring you closer to God or not.

A final thought:

Generally, young adolescents should not fast. Adolescents are still developing and growing and, as such, should not fast. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but I do believe many adolescents are prone to developing an unhealthy relationship with food and body image when instructed to fast at a young age. As adolescents, we care a lot about what others think of us (speaking for my past self here!), and I think we can teeter on the edge of an unhealthy motivation for fasting very quickly. 

I hope the context and information has been helpful. I know I outlined many examples of when it’s not recommended to fast, but I want to end with hope: it is possible to recover. It’s possible — not guaranteed — to get to a place where you can fast, even with a history of an eating disorder or unhealthy relationship with food. But it’s important to recover medically, physically and emotionally before doing so. I’m praying for you!