What is the Daniel Diet | Daniel Fast

What is the Daniel Diet

The Daniel Diet or Daniel fast, is a diet where eat plant-based meals that are nutritious, and you can make them as delicious as you want, while setting aside other foods. This is done as an act of worship and sacrifice to the Lord, for us to grow closer and hear from Him.

This list explains the categories of foods to eat and foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast.

Daniel Diet: Foods You Can Eat

Whole grains

Amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff (an African cereal which is cultivated almost exclusively in Ethiopia, used mainly to make flour.), whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.

Ezekiel bread is not allowed because it contains yeast, you can easily make your own flatbread.

Unleavened bread: whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives.

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.

A great recipe for homemade refried beans, lard free and vegan can be found on our site. We tend to eat lot’s of beans when we fast.

Nuts and seeds

Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts (legumes), pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds.

Vegetables

All vegetables are allowed: fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned.

Fruit

All fruit is allowed: fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned. If you opt for dried fruit, make sure there is NO sugar. Always read the ingredients section.

Daniel Diet: Oils

Oils: fruit, coconut, olive, and sesame, are allowed but should be used minimally. No fried foods, sauté lightly.

Spices and Seasonings

All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper.

Daniel Diet: Beverages

Water should be the main beverage: distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed. 100% fruit juice on occasion.

Daniel Diet: Foods Not To Eat

Animal products

Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey), dairy, (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt), fish/seafood, eggs.

Added sugar

Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar.

Yeast

Yeast and leavened bread.

God often required the Israelites to give up leavened bread (contains yeast) during certain times as a way of setting them apart from neighboring peoples. By not having yeast, we’re making a statement against sin and that’s in keeping with Jewish tradition by refusing to eat leavened bread as we seek the Lord.

Refined grains

White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel like: bran, germ, and endosperm.

Processed food

Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.

Deep-fried food

Corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.

Sometimes baked chips can be acceptable if they don’t contain restricted ingredients.

Solid fats

Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.

Chocolate

Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao. I would also add in candy of any sort.

Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages

Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks. If you absolutely have too to keep us your energy, a watered down black coffee might be okay, but is not a part of this diet.

Note: Every item that can be used for the Daniel fast is not listed here.

The next thing you want to do is go into prayer, ask the Lord what type of fast you should do. Allow the Lord to lead you for the success of your fast and the duration.

Once you know what type of fast you want to do, start making a list of how to go about it: A list of prayers to keep in mind, preparation, and support. We are here for you!

Come back and read through our Live Inspired posts, videos and Today’s Devotions, to gain wisdom and insight into God’s Word. It is a guide to you as you read His Word, the Bible.

If you would like for us to pray for you, visit us here and here for family Bible Study.

We hope this article has blessed you!

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