Is it okay to fast if you're struggling with or healing from disordered eating, or is fasting just another socially acceptable way to avoid food?
If you've ever wondered whether a spiritual practice like fasting is safe for you right now, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
In today's episode, Brittany answers a listener's question from Michelle about whether fasting is okay to do while struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder. You'll hear the difference between a food fast and what Brittany calls a "soul fast," four questions to pray through before committing to any kind of fast, and why your why matters more than the fast itself.
A few things you can expect to hear in this episode include…
🙏 The four questions to ask before deciding whether (or how) to fast
🍞 The difference between a food fast and a soul fast, and why one might serve you better right now
💭 Why "this sounds spiritual" doesn't always mean a fast is actually about the Lord
⏳ Why every fast needs a clear end date before it begins
🤝 Why this isn't a decision to make alone, and who you need in your corner
Resources mentioned:
> The Joy-Filled Eater Course closes July 31st at 11:59pm Central. I'm stepping away to work on something new for a few months after that, so this is genuinely it for a while.
It's twelve modules, fully self-paced, the same framework that's walked over 150 women through this exact journey — and every single module comes with an implementation tool, because watching a video and actually changing your life are two very different things. You can do the payment plan at $217 a month for three months, or save $54 and do it all at once for $597. Just head to brittanybraswellrd.com/course.
> EP. 102 & 103: How to Handle Fasting as a Christian Woman When You're Struggling With Disordered Eating or Negative Body Image (Parts 1 & 2)
> EP. 123 - Fasting Isn't the Only Biblical Practice Around Food: The Surprising Truth Christians Can't Ignore with Anna Marie Long
> Subscribe to Brittany's personal newsletter, The Full Plate Press, for weekly food freedom tips, funny memes, and personal stories from behind-the-scenes shenanigans to mom life craziness to personal lessons you can apply to your food freedom journey.
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Got a question about food freedom, body image, faith, or nutrition? Leave me a SpeakPipe voice note here for a chance to have your question answered on an episode of Faith-Filled Food Freedom!
Connect with Brittany on Instagram @brittanybraswellrd
*Reminder - Podcast content is not meant to be taken as professional nutrition or medical advice, or to replace counseling with a licensed therapist. Please consult with your own treatment team.
