WHY MIGHT SOMEONE NEED TO EAT AND/OR DRINK ON YOM KIPPUR?

To raise awareness, we asked our community members why they had needed to eat and/or drink on Yom Kippur in the past. These were some of their answers.

Please note:

*This is not a complete list of all of the reasons to need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur.

**Different people may have different experiences or needs. This list does not constitute instructions for whether you should eat or fast this year or any year.

If you are uncertain whether fasting is safe for you, please consult your health professional.

I need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur due to…

Low blood pressure which leads to fainting.

Trauma due to hunger and food insecurity

Chronic illnesses that are worsened and/or triggered by lack of food or liquid

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Eating disorder recovery

I need to eat on Yom Kippur…

To take certain medications

To prevent acute adrenal insufficiency

To manage a disability

To support a family member with an eating disorder

To maintain blood sugar and stay hydrated to prevent severe migraines

I need to eat/drink of Yom Kippur because I have…

Type 1 diabetes

Trauma from childhood food neglect or food withholding by caregivers

POTS - Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

OCD around food

Crohn’s disease

I need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur because…

Fasting exacerbates my mental health symptoms.

My health is fragile and I have to do all I can to preserve it.

I am Autistic and my mental health is affected by not having sensory needs met.

My heart condition does not allow me to go more than a few hours without eating/drinking

I need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur because…

I have unsteadiness after a stroke. Fasting might make me fall.

I need to stay well hydrated to avoid kidney failure.

It helps me better tolerate needed medication.

I have an eating disorder history and fasting is a trigger.

I need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur because…

Fasting makes my Gastroparesis symptoms worse.

I have Hyperemesis gravidarum.

I have a high risk pregnancy.

I’m underweight due to grief/illness, so I cannot risk skipping any meals.

I have Ulcerative colitis.

Do you need to eat/drink on Yom Kippur due to a condition not listed here?

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