If you have never followed the Daniel Fast before, you should know which foods you are allowed to eat during this period. In the following article, we have not only explained what Daniel Fast is, but also mentioned which foods you can and cannot include in your meals…
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. ~ Daniel 10:2, 3
The Daniel Fast is so much more than just fasting and sacrificing food. It not only promotes healthy eating, but also gives you the opportunity to deepen your relationship to God. This is the time where you can spiritually bond with Him and bring balance into your life. By giving up rich foods and drinks, you are introducing a healthy lifestyle. In this article, we will be discussing what this fast is and the foods to eat as well as avoid.
Before beginning a fast, it’s essential to know whether you have any health issues and/or are suffering from any heart disease. It is advisable to consult with a professional health care provider before you start the Daniel Fast. Also, make sure you read the labels while purchasing any packed, canned, and/or bottled foods and beverages. The limitations for foods included are supposed to be free of sugar and chemical.
The Daniel Fast
What is a fast? It means that for a certain period of time, a person has to refrain (not consume) certain foods, beverages, television, music, etc. But is that what the fast is? So what is so unique about the Daniel Fast? It is a Biblical partial fast, based on veganism, that people across the world are incorporating into their lives. Christian and Jewish people across the world hold this fast to honor God. As men, women, and young adults realize the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting, they turn to the fast. However, there are 2 distinct scriptures that give us different advice for the fast.
In Daniel 1, the Prophet didn’t eat anything except for vegetables and fruits, and drank only water. So the Daniel Fast food guidelines here tell us that the fast should only include these 3 items. Whereas in Daniel 10, for 21 days, the Prophet didn’t eat any meat and bread products, bread, and foods or drank any wine. So the guidelines here tell us that the fast should not include any of these food and drink items. Along with these specific requirements, adding of sweeteners, artificial and/or processed foods with chemicals is also not allowed. So that was a brief explanation of what this fast is all about. Now, we will proceed further to see, in detail, which are the kinds of food acceptable in the fast.
List of Daniel Fast Food
When on the Daniel Fast, it’s not the specific foods or the amounts you need to limit yourselves from. What you should limit is certain types of food that can be consumed. Basically, the Daniel fast food list consists of all vegetables, fruits, and water. As you go through the list, you will clearly understand the ideal Daniel Fast food ideas and guidelines.
Foods to Consume
Vegetables
| Artichokes | Asparagus | Beets |
| Broccoli | Brussels sprout | Cabbage |
| Carrots | Cauliflower | Celery |
| Chilipeppers | Corn | Cucumbers |
| Eggplant | Garlic | Ginger Root |
| Kale | Leeks | Lettuce greens |
| Mushrooms | Mustard greens | Okra |
| Onions | Parsley | Peppers |
| Potatoes | Radish | Rutabaga |
| Scallions | Spinach | Sprouts |
| Squash | Sweet Potatoes | Turnips |
| Watercress | Yams | Zucchini |
Fruits
| Apples | Apricots | Avocados |
| Bananas | Blackberries | Boysenberries |
| Breadfruit | Cantaloupe | Cherries |
| Cranberries | Dates | Dragon Fruit |
| Figs | Grapefruit | Grapes |
| Grenadine | Guavas | Honeydew melons |
| Kiwifruit | Tangerines | Limes |
| Mangoes | Mangosteen | Melons |
| Mulberry | Nectarines | Oranges |
| Papayas | Peaches | Pears |
| Pineapples | Plums | Prunes |
| Raisins | Raspberries | Strawberries |
| Tangelos | Tomatoes | Watermelons |
Whole Grains
| Amaranth | Barley | Brown rice |
| Corn | Grits | Millet |
| Plain oatmeal | Popcorn | Quinoa |
| Rolled Oats | Whole wheat | Whole wheat pasta |
| Whole wheat tortilla | Wild rice | Steel cut oats |
Nuts & Seeds
| Almonds | Brazil nuts | Cashews |
| Macadamia nuts | Nut butters | Peanut butter |
| Peanuts | Pecans | Pine nuts |
| Pumpkin seeds | Sunflower seeds | Walnuts |
Legumes
| Black beans | Black-eyed peas | Cannellini beans |
| Garbanzo beans | Great northern beans | Green beans |
| Green peas | Kidney beans | Lentils |
| Pinto beans | Split peas | White beans |
Oils
| Canola oil | Coconut oil | Grape seed oil |
| Olive oil | Peanut oil | Sesame oil |
Beverages & Other Items
| Distilled water | Herbs/Spices | Pepper |
| Salt | Seasonings | Soy products |
| Vinegar | Spring/filtered water | Tofu |
Foods to Avoid
Meat & Animal Products
| Beef | Lamb | Pork |
| Poultry | Seafood | Eggs |
Dairy Products
| Butter | Cheese | Cream/Milk |
Sweeteners
| Cane juice | Honey | Molasses |
| Raw sugar | Sugar | Syrups |
Refined & Processed Foods
| Artificial flavors | Artificial preservatives | Enriched flour |
| Food additives | White flour | White rice |
Deep-fried Foods
| Corn chips | French fries | Potato chips |
Solid Fats
| Lard | Margarine | Shortening |
Beverages
| Alcohol | Carbonated drinks | Coffee |
| Energy drinks | Herbal teas | Tea |
There are particular Daniel Fast Instructions that you should keep in mind as well. So go through the article and find out what these Daniel Fast guidelines and instructions define. And along with the food list of vegetables and fruits, you can also include whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and oils.
The fast should never be done at the risk of harming your body. So if there are any health issues you are concerned about, you should speak to a health professional for an ideal food list for you to follow.