What Is The Daniel Fast Diet: Food List And Potential Benefits

The Daniel Fast Diet is one eating style with religious roots that is a recent concept, not a practice mandated by God. Although the purpose of this diet is to emulate Daniel’s heart for the Lord, Daniel is an Old Testament prophet.

In The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, written by Kristen Fayola with influences from traditional Jewish fasting laws, Kristen provides insight and history on 21 powerful devotions to each day of the Daniel fast, and over 100 simple recipes. In the book of Daniel (Daniel is an Old Testament prophet), you’ll learn how to make the most of a 21-day partial fast by spending time in God’s Word.

What Is The Daniel Fast

Unlike other fasting methods, the Daniel Fast with religious roots is short-term Bible fasting which is a method of spiritual fasting based on the fasting experience of the Prophet Daniel, often performed for 10-21 days.

The idea or goal behind Daniel’s fasting is not to get healthy or lose weight, but as a form of purification to increase spiritual health. In this you focus on eating plant-based food as a form of worship and sacrifice for 10-21 days will do.

The Daniel Fast is based exclusively on two passages: Daniel 1:12 and Daniel 10:12-13 that define the diet as:

• Eating only fruits, vegetables, pulses (beans), whole grains, nuts, and seeds
• Drinking only water

Daniel 1:12 states, I beseech thee, ten days; Please test your servants, and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”

The Daniel 10: 2-3, says, “In those days Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. Daniel ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into his mouth, nor did Daniel anoint at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

Many people use it to get closer to a higher power as a form of sacrifice, others use it as a short-term fast or “detox”.

Here’s what you need to know about the Bible-based 21-day fast (based on a biblical story in the Book of Daniel), including its potential benefits, and the foods involved.

Daniel Fast Foods List

Although variations of the Daniel Fast exist, people generally should only consume approved foods during the fast and avoid indulgent foods, such as meat, dairy, alcohol, and other delicacies.

Foods to eat

Here is Daniel’s Fast food list dedicated to his belief in God, and what you are allowed to eat.

Whole grains

Amaranth, barley, buckwheat, brown rice, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.

Beans and legumes

Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern, beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas are permitted.

Nuts and seeds

Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butter, peanuts, pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, all types are permitted, except those with added salt.

Fruits and vegetables

All fruits and vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned).

Oils and fats

Only vegetable oils (such as Olive, avocado, peanut, coconut, grapeseed, canola, walnut, and sesame oil, for example) are allowed, and only in small amounts. You can sauté foods in olive oil but avoid deep-frying them.

Herbs and spices

All fresh and dried herbs and spices are allowed, though salt should be used sparingly.

Beverages

Water ( Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed) should be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. fruit juice on occasion is permitted in small amounts.

Foods to avoid

• Animal products such as meat, bacon, beef, bison, chicken, poultry, fish, and eggs are not permitted.
• All dairy should be avoided, including butter, cheese, cream, milk, ice cream, and yogurt.
• Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, and similar products should be avoided.
• Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. White flour and white rice are not permitted.
• Yeast (and, therefore, leavened bread) isn’t part of the Daniel Fast.
• Foods that contain artificial flavorings, added colors, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives should be avoided.
• Deep-fried food and solid fats such as Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening are restricted.
• Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, kombucha, and energy drinks should be avoided.

Since the Daniel Fast is not a weight loss diet, you are allowed to consume approved foods until you are satisfied, you do not need to monitor or restrict calories, just take care to avoid overeating.

Is the Daniel Fast Healthy?

The Daniel Fast contains an entirely high-fiber plant-based diet that is loaded with vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils.

Studies have shown that a plant-based diet is beneficial to improve some risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. It may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, support a healthy gut, and other neurological conditions, and be beneficial to weight loss.

A 2010 study showed a significant improve some risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease after 21 days of Daniel Fast. However, larger, randomized studies are needed to write more conclusive results.

The Daniel fast — to be well-tolerated by both men and women.

Conclusion

The Daniel Fast or Daniel Diet is a type of partial fasting based on the dietary and spiritual experiences of the prophet Daniel. The Daniel Fast focuses heavily on an entirely plant-based diet that incorporates vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils.