Must you pray before eating snacks?
Saying "Grace" before meals is often reserved for actual meals
that constitute some substance, and practically speaking, most
Catholics do not pray before snacking. It is encouraged to do so,
however, as all food, no matter of what quantity, is a gift from
God and given from His bounty. What has been lost in modern times
is that many foods each have a certain blessing. Many of these
blessing have been forgotten as food is now readily available in
supermarkets regardless of region or season and often people feel
awkward about praying over snacks as is seems a bit over dramatic.
In keeping with tradition, when people did not have such
convenience as is now available in many countries, one should
always say grace always before eating, if not the prescribed
prayer, at least a short prayer of thanksgiving. Forgetting to do
so is not a sin, but to omit it out of embarrassment or laziness
seems a bit vain.