During his times of fasting, the only liquid Daniel consumed was water. That’s why the Daniel Fast Guidelines restrict us from any other beverages, except pure vegetable and fruit juices since they are merely a combination.
Water is an excellent cleanser for the body and flushing your organs and cells with good and pure water will wash it of many of the impurities.
You want to make sure the water you drink is pure, filtered water free of all chemicals and additives. This is hard to find these days since recently it was uncovered that much of the bottled water is merely municipal water sold in plastic bottles.
In my case, I have the great privilege of pure well water on my little four acre farm in Central Washington. I save hundreds of dollars every year no having to purchase drinking water! You may want to purchase your water from a health food store or make sure your drinking water is acceptable.
One caution about fruit juices! They are very high in calories. An eight ounce glass of apple juice (no sugar added) is 117 calories. Orange juice is about the same. So if drink a lot of juice you will want to be aware of the increased calories.
There is a lot of debate about the amount of water we actually need to drink. Our bodies are made up of 2/3 water, so it needs to be replenished. We get a lot of water when eating fresh foods, but so many diets are deplete of fresh foods that increased water intake is important. The other reason to drink adequate water is that it helps with appetite control and body cleansing.
How much water do you need? The simple formula is to take your body weight, divide it by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water to drink throughout the day. To make this easy for me, I have a favorite glass that holds 16 ounces. So I just make sure I drink four glasses of water from my favorite glass each day.
Increasing your water intake can also help when when you’re eliminating caffeine and suffering from headaches. I like to drink hot water with a slice of lemon at times when I would normally drink coffee.
themangolds said,
January 4, 2008 at 10:53 am
I am going to use this as a resource for future fasts. I am currently on a 21-day no-food fast. I am normally an avid coffee drinker, but I recently started drinking tea almost 95% of the time. With my recent fast, the only thing, and I mean the only thing, I have taken in is herbal tea. I know in some of your posts that you state that tea is not acceptable, but in others you state that the Daniel Fast is “interpretive.” In your opinion, is herbal tea inappropriate to drink while on a fast, for any other reasons other than it’s not on your Daniel List? It is completely caffeine free, and does little more than give a small portion of what the fruit juices or vegetables juices would. I love this blog and you’re an excellent writer – Blessings!
Susan Gregory said,
January 4, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi themangolds,
Thanks for your kind words about the blog. This is an honor and blessing for me and I love being able to communicate with so many wonderful people across North America and throughout the world.
Regarding herbal tea . . . this is one of those gray areas. In Daniel 1, he fasted with “vegetables and water only.” In Daniel 10 “he ate no meat or any delicate foods and drank no wine for 21 days.”
These are the only guidelines in the Scripture that have helped us develop the Daniel Fast for our current day model. That’s why there is so much room for interpretation and why I always tell people to pray about the Fast and ask the Lord to help them make decisions about altering the standard guidelines.
God bless you on your fast and Happy New Year!
angie said,
January 5, 2008 at 10:55 am
your site has helped and encouraged me. I decided to do the 21-day Daniel fast. I was a little fearful at first but after praying about it more and reading your site and helpful tips I am now blessed with so much more helpful information. Thank you
nicko said,
January 7, 2008 at 9:46 am
What about oatmeal? Is that acceptable for a good fast breakfast? I’m on the go in the morning and need something quick and healthy
Susan Gregory said,
January 7, 2008 at 11:02 am
Yes, Nicko, oatmeal and all whole grain cereals are okay for the Daniel Fast. I like Zoom, which is 100% whole wheat.
Dana said,
January 8, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Is Zoom readily available at most grocery stores? Maybe in the whole foods section?
Also, I read what you wrote about Stevia and that it is something that you have to pray about and that it could possibly be used. I also read that you say no for honey. They are both natural, so why could one possibly be OK and not the other? I am just learning about this fast, so it was just a little confusing for me.
Lucinia said,
January 8, 2008 at 6:40 pm
What about veggie burgers on the Daniel Fast?
Margarita said,
January 9, 2008 at 8:22 am
I found that veggie burgers are an option if you not allergic to soy. Hope that helps.
Glynnis Washington said,
January 9, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I am on my 3rd day of my fast and have had a bad headache from day 1. I don’t know if this is because my body is rebelling or what. Could you tell me about how long I can expect it to be present? Also, I am an avid snacker, I was just reading the ingredients on the Triscuits box and everything in it is natural. The only problem is the last ingredient is mono- and diglycerides which I looked up and know now are fats. My question is can I eat the Triscuits? The information I looked up did not say where these fats come from. Are they okay?
Margarita said,
January 10, 2008 at 8:22 am
Glynnis,
I tried to find info on triscuits and I didn’t get any answers about the Daniel Fast and if they are ok. I am a snacker too!!!!! I have been snacking on cashews, peanuts, almonds and natural applesauce. A far cry from the food I was eating prior to the fast. Lastnight for dinner I had all wheat past by Barilla and Newmans own olive oil and vinegar. It was amazing. I am not a big fruit or veggie eater so this is a little tough for me. I did buy some corn and red potatoes to eat also. Red potatoes are lower in glycemic index so I think they would be better for me. I also tried some cream of wheat lastnight with Stevia as a sweetener. It was pretty good except I have a texture phobia(hints my fear of most fruit and veggies) I also bought some lemon to put in bottled water, I might add some stevia to make like a lemonade. My husband is very helpfull as he is a dietician.
Susan Gregory said,
January 10, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hi Margarita and Glynnis,
I can understand the desire for snacking. I suggest that you try rice cakes. They are good for you, 100% natural, and totally free of sugar and chemicals.
Glynnis, the headaches will subside and they are probably a reflection of the amount of detox that is going on in your body. It is purging itself of a lot of the unhealthy chemicals that are harbored in the cells and tissues. Drink lots of water. This will help. Also, pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you and to help you through these first stages.
Margarita, I strongly encourage you to find a few non-starch vegetables and fruits that you would like. Your body needs them! There are so many from which to choose. Grapes, apples, pears, and mangos are all so good and full of flavor. Carrots, celery and cucmbers are great vegetables to eat fresh as snacks.
Believe me, your body will be very happy when your spirit takes control of your flesh and feeds it what it needs for good health.
I hope the very best for you on your fast . . . it seems the Lord is already doing a wonderful work for you!
Margarita said,
January 10, 2008 at 9:53 am
I would love to try other fruits and veggies but I have a real texture phobia. Anything that is kind of slimey or squishy, I will get sick if I bite into it. I have had this my whole life. I just try to chose the best of what I like and only eat small portions of them. But thank you very much for your advise. I notice also a slight nagging headache. In addition to the toxins it could also be lack of caffeine. I know all of the changes I have made will really help me in many ways. Our pastor mentioned lastnight that during a fast, satan will try to attack you flesh. That is scary. He mentioned also that during a fast God is after our hearts not a fast. If for some reason we violate the fast to just pick right back up and keep going. He taught in Isiah 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
I found these to be very helpful during this time. I also read in Daniel on the first day of the fast. I am so happy I made the decision to do this. God has really been speaking to me and my heart is changing a lot.
Thanks,
Margarita
Glynnis Washington said,
January 10, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the advice. I did find out however that the diglycerides are a natural fat from oil, usually cottonseed, soybean, sunflower or palm. Margarita I too have a thing about the textures of foods. I have been eating lots of celery (which also satisfies my need for something crunchy) and apples. You might also try dried fruits. If there is a Whole Foods grocery chain in your area their bulk food aisle has a great variety. I don’t know what the process does to the nutritional content, but this might be a good alternative for you.
I am glad to report that my headache is completely gone on day 4. I did pray about it and confessed verses about my body belonging to the Lord last night before I went to bed. When I woke up this morning the first thing I noticed was that my headache was gone. Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!!! I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Glynnis
Margarita said,
January 10, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Thank you Glynnis. I appreciate all of you input. Have you done the Daniel fast before??
Glynnis Washington said,
January 12, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I did it for 10 days last year, but after REALLY researching it before doing it this year, I realize that I did a LOT of things in ignornace the last time. God knows my heart, though so I believe He blessed that fast anyway.
Margarita said,
January 14, 2008 at 8:07 am
Can you elaborate on what you did wrong last time??
Raechael said,
January 14, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Is it OK to eat eggs and cheese?
Susan Gregory said,
January 14, 2008 at 2:24 pm
HI Raechael,
No, all animal products, including dairy are restricted on the Daniel Fast. If you have not every tried tofu you will be surprised at how it can be used in many ways like eggs and cheese. It picks up the flavors of the foods it’s being cooked with and is very healthy plus an excellent source for protein.
I hope the best for you on your fast.
Tiffany said,
January 15, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I really love this entire website it helped alot. I have tried fasting before, I even tried a water fast, but I would lose focus when I was the only one in my house fasting and everyone seem to temp me. And the headaches Oh my goodness! But from this website I have learned alot and know that I am not alone Thanks A Million God Bless
Sandy said,
January 16, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Can you eat yogurt on the Daniel Fast?
Susan Gregory said,
January 16, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Hi Sandy,
No, all dairy products are prohibited on the Daniel Fast.
Blessings to you!
Sandy said,
January 16, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Can you eat cereal with soy milk, like Kashi or GoLean Crunch?
Sandy said,
January 16, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Our church is doing the Daniel Fast for 35 days and this is my first fast. We had to do a liquid fast for the first 3 days and it was quite difficult for me. Tomorrow starts the Daniel Fast. I pray that God gives me the discipline to avoid meats, dairy, sweets….
Margarita said,
January 16, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Sandy,
What church do you attend?
Sandy said,
January 18, 2008 at 6:16 am
East Coast Christian Center
Margarita said,
January 23, 2008 at 7:10 am
How is everone doing on the fast??
Leslie said,
March 3, 2008 at 10:57 am
I am on day10 of my fast and I have had abad headache since day1. Is this normal fo rit to go on so long???
Susan Gregory said,
March 3, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hi Leslie,
Bad headaches for 10 days seems long, so I do encourage you to call your health professional if you are concerned. They could certainly be caused by the detoxification going on in your body. If you were drinking a lot of coffee or caffeine drinks, then this could cause them. The same goes for chemicals in foods and sugar.
I encourage you to drink lots of water, eat an abundance of green foods, and take vitamin C and a multiple vitamin.
Blessings to you as you continue to seek God through prayer and fasting.
Mercy said,
March 10, 2008 at 3:20 am
I am trying this daniels fasting, and I would like to know if I can have soy milk, and what about adding flavor to water?
Please keep me in prayer. I have never fasted for 40 day’s but I need to do this for my daughter health. She is 11 years old, and she is sick from her liver. I am also sick from my liver, and I need to lose weight. I think I am doing the right thing.
She will be having a liver biopsy on March 18, 2008.
Susan Gregory said,
March 10, 2008 at 7:52 am
God bless you and your daughter Mercy.
The Daniel Fast is an excellent cleansing eating plan and I expect that you and your daughter will be blessed by it. It is good that you are seeking advice from health professionals as you address these physical issues.
Soy milk is okay for cooking and with cereal, however I encourage you to drink only filtered water for a beverage. This is the very best for your liver and cleansing your body.
Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and eating whole grains is a very excellent way to care for your body.
Blessings to you on your fast.
Emerald said,
March 15, 2008 at 8:51 am
can i still eat whole grain cereal with soymilk during the fast?
Susan Gregory said,
March 15, 2008 at 11:36 am
Hi Emerald,
Yes, whole grains with soy milk is perfect for the Daniel Fast.
Blessings to you!
goodsoil said,
July 10, 2008 at 10:24 am
I am very used to fasting but this is my first time of doing the Daniel fast. It is very exciting especially since I know what Danile experienced after the fast. I am so expectant.
However I need clarification on some of the foods.Can I add spices like salty, cayenne pepper & Badia ground black pepper to my veggie stir-fry?
Also can one eat cashew & peanuts(unsalted) during this fast?
Thanks for this very informative website.
God Bless
Susan Gregory said,
July 10, 2008 at 11:19 am
Good Soil! What a great username!
Yes, you can use spices, salt and herbs as you mentioned. Just make sure there are no additives.
Also, all nuts and seeds are allowed.
I am going to send you a list of the foods you can and cannot use on the fast. I hope the best for you!
Phillyvocalist said,
August 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm
God bless you all!
Cream of Wheat:
Ingredients listed as: Wheat Farina, Partially Defeated Wheat Germ (whatever that is! lol), Disodium Phosphate (for quick cooking)
Sounds harmless. Is it compatible with Daniel’s fast?
Thanks!
Ezzie said,
August 30, 2008 at 10:04 am
hi i was wondering if i can eat soup like lentil soup or tuscan bean soup? or tortilla? during the fast…
Ezzie said,
August 30, 2008 at 10:04 am
is honey allowed? like with oatmeal…
Susan Gregory said,
August 30, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Hi Ezzie,
Thanks for your questions. Lentil and Tuscan bean soup are okay on the Daniel Fast as long as they include only ingredients on the “allowed” list. Please check it out on this site as it will give you great insight about what you can and cannot eat.
One thing not allowed on the Daniel Fast is sweeteners, including honey. I use applesauce, raisins or chopped fruit when I make hot cereal. I like it so much that I never use sugar now.
Be blessed, and please spend some time on this site to learn more about what foods can be enjoyed on this very healthy fast.
Misia said,
September 26, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Phillyvocalist said,
August 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm
God bless you all!
Cream of Wheat:
Ingredients listed as: Wheat Farina, Partially Defeated Wheat Germ (whatever that is! lol), Disodium Phosphate (for quick cooking)
Sounds harmless. Is it compatible with Daniel’s fast?
Thanks!
— I’m also wondering about cream of wheat, because I just love it and I can eat it without milk or flavourings!
recentlysaved said,
January 5, 2009 at 9:22 am
I am on day 1 of my fast! I am reading these post and thinking to myself “can I make it through?” I am praying for the strength and faith in myself as well to make it through to my goal of five days. Being this is my first true fast, I set a small goal.
I have eaten only fruit today and planning on veggies for dinner. My concern is my husband couldn’t find much whole wheat products. He says they have a bunch of other ingrediants. Any suggestions on where to shop as we are on a very tight budget.
Thank you for the posts! They have all been very helpful!
One question: What was the final answer on Triscuits?
Thanks,
recentlysaved
Felicia said,
August 9, 2009 at 9:38 am
Can you eat Kashi go lean Crunch cereal dry on the Daniel Fast?
Susan Gregory said,
August 9, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Hi Felicia,
I don’t have a box of Kashi Go Lean Crunch at hand, but as I recall they add evaporated cane juice or some other sweetener to the recipe, which makes it a no-no on the Daniel Fast. You can have Ezekiel 4:6 Cereal, however. They are only whole grains and I love having mine with fresh fruit (such as blueberries and bananas) and unsweetened soy milk.
I hope this helps.