What is the Daniel Fast All About?

Unlike other fasting practices, the Daniel Fast focuses on limiting what you can eat, not when you eat. So, what foods are allowed? Here's everything you need to know.

What Exactly Is the Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is rooted in a biblical passage and resembles a vegan diet, excluding sugars, refined carbs, caffeine, and alcohol. It's a form of spiritual fasting based on the prophet Daniel's fasting experience described in the Book of Daniel. The fast is particularly inspired by two key Bible verses:

1. "Test your servants for ten days, giving us only vegetables and water to consume." – Daniel 1:12
   
2. "During those days, I, Daniel, mourned for three full weeks. I ate no rich foods, and neither meat nor wine touched my lips; I also refrained from anointing myself until the three weeks were completed." – Daniel 10:2-3

As a result of this experience, Daniel is said to have gained wisdom, knowledge, spiritual insight, divine favor, and even a healthier appearance (Daniel 1:15-20). Additionally, he received answers to his prayers and further spiritual understanding (Daniel 10:11-12).

The purpose of the Daniel Fast is to set aside certain foods, focusing instead on plant-based meals as an act of worship and spiritual sacrifice.

How Long Should You Follow the Daniel Fast?

Although it may seem restrictive, the Daniel Fast lasts for just 21 days. This duration is based on Daniel’s choice in chapter 10 to forgo 'delicious food,' meat, and wine for three weeks as he sought God’s guidance through prayer.

Daniel Fast Approved Food List

The only foods explicitly mentioned in the scriptures are water and vegetables. However, the term 'pulse' used in the King James Bible refers to beans or seeds grown for food. This opens up the Daniel Fast to include whole grains, fruits, and other plant-based foods — everything else is restricted.

What Foods Are Allowed on the Daniel Fast

• Whole grains: Barley, brown rice, buckwheat, farro, grits, millet, oats, popcorn, quinoa, rice cakes, rye, sorghum, spelt, whole wheat, whole-wheat pasta, 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.
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, natural nut butters (no additives), peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
• Vegetables: All vegetables whether fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
• Fruits: All fruit whether fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned (so long as it doesn't contain added sugar).
• Oils: Oils can be used minimally, but not for deep-frying.
• Herbs, spices, and seasonings: Includes salt and pepper.
• Soy products: All soy products including tofu.
• Unleavened bread: Whole grain breads made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives.
• Water: Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral waters allowed.
• 100-percent fruit juice: Natural, 100-percent fruit juice is allowed but should be had sparingly.

What Foods Are Not Allowed on the Daniel Fast

• Animal products: All meat, dairy, seafood, and eggs.
• Sweeteners: Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sugar, and other syrups.
• Leavened bread: Bread made with yeast.
• Refined and processed foods: Foods that contain artificial flavorings, artificial preservatives, food additives, white flour, and white rice.
• Deep-fried foods: All fried foods.
• Solid fats: Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.
• Chocolate: Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.
• Some beverages: Alcohol, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages.

Discover Daniel Fast-Approved Recipes:

• 21 Delicious Recipes to Kickstart Your Daniel Fast
• 30 Daniel Fast Snacks
• 8 Daniel Fast Desserts