A Whole Body Experience
The Daniel Fast is experienced by all three parts of us and brings health to those parts. As a spiritual exercise, we turn our attention to spiritual truths. In doing so, our spirits become stronger. Our spirits are fed from the Word of God. So during the Daniel Fast, many will give extra food to their spirits by increasing the time and attention they give to God's Word.

Meanwhile, it is the soul that will bring up the fight during the Fast. You will experience this fight when you have to make a choice to push through the hunger pangs and the cravings. Or when you want to have "just one little bite of that bread," even though it's against the fasting guidelines... after all, no one is looking!

The choice to push through and "quiet the soul" is your spirit taking precedence over your soul -- or another way of saying it is "living a spirit-led life." One of the primary benefits of the Fast is that your soul gets "put in its place," which is under the control of your spirit. What controls your spirit? God and His Word!

During the Fast your body will begin working more efficiently as it receives foods more easily digested, lots of refreshing water, and no artificial chemicals!  So the Daniel Fast is a whole body experience! It brings health and strength to the spirit, it brings health and control to the soul, and it brings health and good foods to the body!

The Daniel Fast originated with the prophet Daniel! And the reason Daniel fasted was because of his devotion to God. The devotion came before the dietary restrictions, not the other way around. Daniel records three times when he fasted but he most likely did so more often. The first fast was recoded in Daniel 1. The food and wine the king wanted Daniel to eat had been offered to idols. However, he had already consecrated (set apart) his life to God. If he ate or drank of these things, he would defile his body. So that's why Daniel requested that he eat only vegetables (which usually included fruit) and drank only water.

The Daniel Fast: Food List
Please be sure to READ THE LABEL to discover the ingredients when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. The ingredients should be sweetner-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

Foods To Include In Your Diet During The Daniel Fast
All Fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew, melon, kiwi, lemons, lines, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon.

All Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, brocoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinich, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggi burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All Whole Grains:  Including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All Nuts and Seeds:  Including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All Legumes:  These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils: Including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut and sesame.

Beverages:  Spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.

Other: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices.

Foods To Avoid On The Daniel Fast
All Meat And Animal Products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All Dairy products  including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All Sweetners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses and cane juice.

All Leavened Bread  including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All Refined And Processed Foods Products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All Deep Fried Foods including but not limited to potatoe chips, french fries, corn chips.

All Solid Fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks and alcohol.


Remember READ THE LABELS! This is a Daniel's Fast NOT a Daniel's Diet!