The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.

The Daniel Fast for the body, soul and spirit

The Bible teaches us that we are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body. The Daniel Fast affects all three parts of us as we enter into a period of time for focused prayer and fasting.

The Body - Certainly our bodies are effected as our diet is changed, for some in very dramatic ways, during the Daniel Fast. Many men and women experience detoxing from caffeine, chemicals and sugar. The symptoms are most often headaches, leg cramps, fatigue and malaise.

Most people lose weight during the Daniel Fast. And many report healings from diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer.



The Soul - Frequently referred to as "the flesh" in the Bible, the soul is also greatly impacted during the Daniel Fast. The soul is the seat of our emotions, intellect, personality and will. It is in the "soulish realm" where we experience cravings, frustration, anger . . . and even happiness.

During the Daniel Fast, your soul may very well rebel against the dramatic change in your diet. Experiencing and winning this battle over the flesh is often one of the most powerful lessons of the Daniel Fast.

The Spirit - Our spirit is that born-again part of us that surrenders to God and then abides with the Father and the Son. Our spirit is filled with the Holy Spirit when we yield to Him. During the Daniel Fast, we want to put our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us. When our flesh is acting out with a craving, we take control of it with our spirit (just as a parent takes control of a rebellious child).

Fasting is always coupled with a spiritual goal. So during this time of fasting, you will want to focus on prayer, study and meditation.

There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:

1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage

Then in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:

3. No sweeteners and no breads

Another important guideline is drawn from Jewish fasting principles, where no leaven is used during the fast.  So that's why yeast, baking powder and the like are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Finally, with all the above puzzle pieces, we conclude that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed on the Daniel Fast.

When asked about the eating plan on the Daniel Fast, I often say it is a "vegan diet with even more restrictions."

Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast…

All fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch for added sugar).

Apples
Apricots
Avocados
Bananas
Berries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Boysenberries
Breadfruit
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Coconuts
Cranberries
Dates
Figs
Grapefruit
Grapes
Grenadine
Guava
Honeydew melons
Kiwi
Lemons
Limes
Mangoes
Melons
Mulberry
Nectarines
Oats
Olives
Oranges
Papayas
Peaches
Pears
Pineapples
Plums
Prunes
Raisins
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tangelos
Tangerines
Watermelon

Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch salt content).

Artichokes
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chili peppers
Collard greens
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Ginger root
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard greens
Okra
Onions
Parsley
Peppers
Potatoes
Radishes
Rutabagas
Scallions
Spinach
Sprouts
Squashes
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Watercress
Yams
Zucchini
Legumes:
Dried beans
Black beans
Cannellini
Pinto beans
Split peas
Lentils
Black eyed peas
Green beans
Green peas
Kidney beans
Peanuts (includes natural peanut butter)
Beans
Lentils
Lupines
White
Peas

Seeds:

All nuts (raw, unsalted)
Sprouts
Ground flax
Cashews
Walnuts
Sunflower
Sesame
Almonds
Natural Almond Butter
Whole Grains:
Whole wheat
Brown rice
Millet
Quinoa
Oats
Rolled Oats
Plain Oatmeal- not instant
Barley
Grits (no butter)
Whole wheat pasta
Whole wheat tortillas
Plain Rice cakes
Popcorn (see recipe in FAQ’s)

Liquids:

Water (spring, distilled, filtered)
Unsweetened Soy Milk
Herbal (caffeine free) Tea
100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no added sugar)
Other:
Tofu
Soy products
Herbs
Small amounts of Honey
Small amounts of Sea Salt
Small amounts of Ezekiel Bread
Small amounts of Olive Oil
Spices (read the label to be sure there are no preservatives)

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast…

All animal products including all meat, poultry, fish…
White rice
White bread
All deep fried foods
Caffeine
Coffee (including decaf b/c contains small amount of caffeine)
Carbonated beverages
Energy drinks
Foods containing preservatives, additives
Refined foods
Processed foods
Food additives
Refined sugar
Sugar substitutes
Raw sugar
Syrups
Molasses
Cane juice
White flour
Margarine
Shortening
High fat products
Butter
All leavened breads
Baked goods
All dairy
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Cream
Eggs
Alcohol
Mayonnaise

*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.

Resources:

www.christ-web.com/missions/farho/daniel-fast
www.danielfast.wordpress.com/
www.hacres.com/recipes/recipes.asp