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“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” Daniel 1:12
“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
Welcome! The purpose of this site is to offer valuable and complete information about the Daniel Fast. As the Daniel Fast Blogger, my #1 goal is to help you have a successful fasting experience. More and more Christian men and women are choosing the Daniel Fast as their guideline to enter into the spiritual discipline. While the Daniel Fast is a partial fast, (rather than total abstention from all food) it still provides many of the attributes of denying the self and seeking God.
This blog is designed as a “gathering place” for information and resources about the Daniel Fast to serve those seeking God in this manner. Please “cruise” the blog. Remember, this is a blog format, so you will need to page down to see all the posts. Also, leave comments if you have ideas, questions, or comments.
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Is it ok to use Almond milk instead of Soy milk?
Hi Erica,
Absolutely, all additive and sweetener free “plant based” milks are allowed for use in recipes and cereal (just not as a drinking beverage). Be Blessed!
My daughter just left for Nepal. I pray for wisdom, safety. I will start Sunday the 6/16 she will return on 8/3 can I do the fast longer then 3wk? Or start again?
Hi Pam,
Even though the Daniel Fast is traditionally done for 21 days, some fast as brief as 7 days and others as long as 50 days. So yes, it is a safe way to eat and you can do this fast for as long as you feel led by the Holy Spirit.
We are standing in firm agreement with you for safety and God’s very best to be completed in and through your daughter during this season of her life…in Jesus Strong Name
I work at a local 7-Eleven and I am around food all day. I work very irregular hours and I have attempted the Daniel fast several times but I have failed. I want my life t but I do not know how. I mean my life with Christ. I am a single woman, low wages, backed up rent, and I feel like a total failure. My mother passed away and my father hates me because I am a Chritstian and he is Muslim. My faith is so small. I don’t know how to pick myself up. But I know one thing is for sure that God has a purpose for my life. I work odd hours, and my sleeping patterns change often but I feel that maybe God can use the Daniel fast as a method for him to use to pick me up again. Do you have any suggestions that might work because I start off well then life gets in the way and then I never get to finish Daniel fast.
Hi Saina,
Working around fast food? This is a big challenge, but one I believe you have been equipped to rise up and be in dominion over. I encourage you to plan out foods that you are going to eat and take them to work with you. Set your mind that you are going to eat Only what you take, or you’ll go without…period! The easiest, is to take meal left overs from home, or salads, homemade rice/bean burritos, sometimes lunch and snacks may even look as simple as bananas, an apple and a bag of nuts, just Plan to never be at work without Daniel Fast approved foods. Oh, and let’s not forget drinking lots of water! I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Journey dear one!
Thanks will do. I bought a prepared kale salad with seeds on it. Am I allowed to put pure lemon juice in my water so I will not gag. I truly want to see a transformation in my life and by faith I want God to use the Daniel fast to grow in Christ.
A splash of lemon or a lemon slice in water (hot or cold) is fine. How much is too much? The key is as long as you can still call the beverage “water with lemon in it” and not cross over to juice or tea then you’re good. Be Blessed!
I’m going to start the Daniel fast soon but I have a few questions. How does juicing fit into this fast. Is it count as food or liquid? Can it still be consumed or does it go against the fast?
Hi Karina,
The only drinking beverage on the Daniel Fast is water. Blended fruits and vegetables (made more hearty like Smoothies) are considered a “meal replacement.” So these are allowed on the Daniel Fast. Just juicing fruits/vegetables get’s into a grey area and could be a bit too close to drinking juice than a smooothie as a meal replacement. So ask the Holy Spirit for His instruction for what is right for you. Be Blessed on your fast!
I’m going to be doing the Daniel’s Fast but I can’t eat pasta or grains of any kind. I also can’t eat legumes so this is going to be really interesting. Any ideas of where I can focus my attention as I look to put meals together because as you can imagine these restrictions further limit what I will be able to eat?
Since the Daniel fast is completely plant based and whole grains and beans/legumes are the main source of protein, I would suggest that you reconsider this fast, or do a radical modification to it to meet your medical needs. Look over the guidelines for the foods you can eat and evaluate the areas that you will be lacking nutritionally, then decide if this can be compensated with supplements (first choice), or if you’ll need to add in occasional some non-Daniel fast foods such as chicken, fish or dairy (last choice). I hope this helps!
First time on the site, pardon me if I make a mistake somehow in posting. I can’t seem to find out a good answer on whether vinegars are allowed? I have read some places they are not and some places they are. If they are, are dill pickles ok (I think they are just cucumbers and vinegar). Also, what about plain grocery store mustard? I see you have a homemade recipe on this site, but what about plain ole French’s ??
Hi Bruce,
Yes, you can use vinegars on the Daniel Fast, just make sure all other Ingredients comply. Some dill pickles are allowed if they don’t have artificial ingredients or sweeteners in them, it’s all about the list of ingredients on the label . Also, mustard is fine again …as long as there are no additives or sweeteners. Be Blessed!
Hi there,
I am gluten intolerant and would like to participate in a Daniel Fast. I was wondering if I could substitute fish and eggs for the whole grains that I am not able to eat? I was also wondering about Coconut products?
Hi Anitra,
The Daniel Fast is completely plant based, so fish and eggs are not allowed. However, there are many whole grains that are gluten free, (just make sure the other ingredients comply with the guidelines). Here is a link to a good article I found that will help you identify gluten free whole grains to add to your list of options of whole grain flours http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/gluten-free-whole-grains Coconut is allowed, so it would depend on the additional ingredients to determine if it’s a Daniel Fast friendly product that you’re questioning. I hope this helps, Be BLESSED on your Journey!!
can u have normal salt with ur daniel fast or should I use sea salt??
Hi Maria,
You can have natural salt such as kosher salt or sea salt (because these have no additives in them). I hope this helps!
After reading all these comments, I am still not clear as to what I can have for breakfast. I would like to know if I can have cereals like oatmeal or any of the other dry cereals with soy or almond milk. I like to have something warm in the mornings. Can I also have dry peppermint leaves in a cup of hot water? I just started my fast today.
Hi Eileen,
Some prepared Cereals are allowed, it’s all about the Ingredients. Here some ideas for you: Muesli, some varieties of Ezekiel brand and some varieties of Shredded Wheat, ex: http://www.arrowheadmills.com/product/shredded-wheat-cereal There are also several other Daniel fast friendly cereals found in the Natural Foods section of grocery stores or at Health Food stores. And yes, there’s always good Old Fashioned Oatmeal. Some addition breakfast ideas are Rice cakes (made with brown rice) with peanut butter and raisins and/or sliced bananas, Fruit smoothies with unsweetened plant based milk, Sautéed apples in coconut oil with brown rice, Homemade tortillas with stir-fried veggies.
All unsweetened, additive free plant based milks (rice, soy, almond, coconut, etc.) are allowed on the fast for use in recipes and on cereal, not as a drinking beverage, water is the only drinking beverage allowed on the fast. Hot or cold water with a slice/splash of lemon or a mint leaf is fine, as long as it does not cross the line over to tea. Just make sure that in all honesty you can still call it water with a small mint leaf in it. I hope this helps!
Can I drink green tea? && what about honey?
Hi Destiney,
The only drinking beverage on the Daniel Fast is water, so green tea is not allowed on the fast. As for honey, there are no sweeteners allowed on the fast (natural or artificial). While all foods on the Daniel Fast are natural . . . not all natural foods are acceptable. Natural sweeteners such as honey for example is one of those, although natural it is still a sweetener and to be avoided. Be Blessed on your fast!
Does it matters the food size I eat when I cook? I mean do I need to measure a recept?
There are no scriptures in the Daniel Fast that specify the amount of food (portion size) or even number of times per day to eat during the fasting period. However, keep in mind that this is a fast and portion control and eating sensibly to be comfortably full is appropriate. So eating three moderate meals and two small snacks a day should be the goal. Be Blessed on your fast!
Hi, I really want to do a the fast but I am still brestfeeding. What can I include in the Daniel fast diet? Thanks
Hi Kate,
We suggest that nursing or pregnant mothers review the Daniel Fast eating plan and then use their wisdom and/or the instructions from their health providers to modify the fast to meet their physical needs. The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat, however during this time the body has extra demands on it you might want to add a little chicken, fish and/or dairy products prepared in Daniel Fast friendly ways. Also, pay close attention to Protein Rich Foods: All Nuts and Peanut butter (any nut butters), Whole grains, Legumes and Leafy Dark Green Vegetables. You can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Fast!
hi! can you recommend a salad dressing okay for the daniel’s fast or a recipe for a “salad dressing”? thank you in advance!
Hi Derricka,
Newman’s Own Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing is a good prepared dressing and all the ingredients are acceptable for the Daniel Fast. Also, you can make your own dressings easily and quickly. There are many recipes in the Daniel Fast Cookbooks at http://daniel-fast.com/store.html Be blessed!
Hello it has been on my heart to fast so i been looking into all my option because this is my first time fasting. I was wonderinghow long should i fast for. I was thinking doing two or three weeks of the Daniel fast and then two or three weeks of no food only water fast. Just wondering what everyone thought.
Hi Alex,
Although the fast is traditionally done for 21 days, some have gone for a longer length of time (up to 50 days), and some for shorter (7 days). I personally will often start with a complete fast for a designated period (water only) and then move into the Daniel Fast. However, this is up to you, AND the leading of the Holy Spirit, so ask Him for His direction for you during this fasting season. Proverbs 3:6 He is so very Faithful, AND He will direct you… Be Blessed on your Journey!
my wife and I are wanting to do this fast together, however she is still breastfeeding. Is it ok for her to do the fast? Can we modify it so it is ok for her to do?
Hi Brian,
Absolutely….We suggest that nursing or pregnant mothers review the Daniel Fast eating plan and then use their wisdom and/or the instructions from their health providers to modify the fast to meet their physical needs. The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat, however since during this time the body has extra demands on it you might want to add a little chicken, fish and/or dairy products prepared in Daniel Fast friendly ways. Pay close attention to Protein Rich Foods: All Nuts and Peanut butter (any nut butters), Whole grains, Legumes and Leafy Dark Green Vegetables. You can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Fast!
Quick question…Is unsweetened almond milk allowed?
Hi Mary,
Yes, all plant based milks (almond, rice, soy, coconut, etc.) that are free of sweeteners and additives are allowed for use in recipes and on cereal. Just not as a beverage, water is the only drinking beverage allowed on the fast. I hope this helps!
Can anyone tell me if I added the juice of one lemon to my morning glass of water. Also what about my supplements?
Hi Crystal,
A lemon slice or a splash of lemon juice is fine in your water. And yes, you can take daily vitamins although we encourage you to find supplements that are free of sweeteners or man-made chemicals. I hope this helps, Be Blessed!
God bless you Susan for for starting to teach about Daniel fast. I have certain concerns from preparing to Daniel fast
1. I used computer to study Bibel online, bibel sites and preaching videos on youtube. So is that allowed if i am going to start Daniel fast?
2. What about using computer for social life, checking mail, following education application and looking apartment during Daniel fasting?
3. I have practical job five days a day so how can I accomplish Daniel Fasting?
Do continue to maintain your daily routine and obligations. I encourage you to examine what your normal pattern is for prayer time and time in the word, then Increase the time for both. Schedule specific times to be alone with the Lord daily, preferably first thing in the morning (even if you have to get up earlier than normal to do it) and again last thing in the evening. Most importantly…Ask the Holy Spirit for His direction during this time of fasting and prayer, He Loves you and has good plans for you. He is faithful and will lead you in your time of seeking Him, especially when you ask for His direction. Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Psalm 34, Psalm 91, Gal 3:13-14,Jeremiah 29:11 Be Blessed in your Journey!
I noticed that in the book, version 1, that for breakfast you can have soymilk. However, although I drink soymilk regularly, I believe sugar has been added? If so, is there a specific type of soymilk we can drink? Unsweetened?
There are many brands that have unsweetened plant based milks available, you’ll need to check the ingredients list. WestSoy is a brand I know has good ingredients: filtered water, whole organic soybeans. Here’s the link for you to check it out: http://www.westsoy.biz/products/product/unsweet/1118.php Be Blessed!
I always thought the Daniel Fast consisted only of eating fruits/veggies and drinking only water. It seems that many more food items are allowed. Which leads me to my question — popcorn and rice cakes are allowed — what about all natural vegan chips? I’m seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit, but am asking based on the guidelines set forth on this site. Thank you! God’s blessings! Amie
Hi Amie,
All whole grains and whole grain flours are allowed on the fast. So yes you can have popcorn (no butter), as well as rice cakes made from “brown” rice (no sweeteners). Vegan chips can be good, just make sure that all the ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly and that they are baked not deep fried. Be Blessed on your fast!
Want to start the Daniel fast need list of foods to eat and foods not to eat
The Daniel Fast allowed foods are: All fruits, All vegetables, All whole grains, All whole grain flours (and pastas), All Nuts and seeds, All legumes (beans), All quality oils. Beverages: Water only – spring water, distilled water or other pure waters, and yes, tap water is good, if that is all you have available. MISC Items: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices (remember, All foods must be free of chemical additives and sweeteners). For a complete list you can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines (which includes the meal planning guide) by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you. I hope this helps!
Hi, I am on a 40 day Daniel fast and accidentally broke it today (8th day). I ate Jackfruit from the tin in a fruit salad and realised later there was lychee jelly, does the fast have to be continuous or would I need to start again? Can I fast an extra day to make up the 40 days?
Thanks
Hi Lana,
No need to start over, simply make the needed correction to avoid this from happening again and continue on in your fast. God isn’t looking for perfection, just hearts that are longing to seek Him! Be Blessed on your fast!
so what can eat for breakfast or for lunch or for supper if ur just now starting it like I am?? I am starting the daniel fast tomorrow and I would like any feedback on how to do the daniel fast. thanks
Maria, here is a general list of the Daniel Fast allowed foods: All fruits, All vegetables, All whole grains, All whole grain flours (and pastas), All Nuts and seeds, All legumes (beans), All quality oils. Beverages: Water only – spring water, distilled water or other pure waters, and yes, tap water is good, if that is all you have available. MISC Items: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices (remember, All foods must be free of chemical additives and sweeteners). For a complete list you can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines (which includes the meal planning guide) by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you. I hope this helps!
I juice everyday. lots of veggies.. and i’m wondering if i can still do this?
Hi Liz,
The only drinking beverage on the Daniel Fast is water. Blended fruits and vegetables (made more hearty like Smoothies) are considered a “meal replacement.” So these are allowed on the Daniel Fast. Just juicing fruits and vegetables would be too close to drinking juice than a smooothie meal replacement. I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for His direction in where you are to draw this line for your fast. Be Blessed!
Natural food items like beans that says 1g of sugar. I’m confused about that, does that mean we avoid beans too?
Hi Mel,
Naturally derived sugars from foods are allowed on the fast, so beans are allowed. It is the sugars/sweeteners that is added into foods that is to be avoided. Be Blessed in your Journey!
I know the only drink is water but is communion an exception?
Yes Donna, always take every opportunity to take communion! Even better while Fasting! Coming together in remembrance of our Lord and the price He paid to redeem us is the very reason we fast, to be surrendered to Him and to know Him more fully! Be Blessed!