“Plus” Your Water
When you “plus” something, you take a “good thing and make it better.” Daniel Fast Blog Friend Renee Hastings shared this great thought about “plussing” drinking water:
Some folks don’t like the “taste” of water, which is critical during the fast. How about suggesting they add cucumber and lemon slices? The flavor combination is very refreshing!!
Thanks Renee for taking the time to share your great idea!
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So if I were to put an assortment of fruit into a juicer, I would be abiding by the guidelines of the fast? I really want to follow this plan as much as possible. Thanks!
Dwan
Hi Dwan,
Yes, smoothies are allowed on the fast when made as a meal replacement (since they are considered a “liquid meal” rather than a beverage). A Daniel Fast “smoothie” is simply, in a blender add fruits, vegetables, if needed a splash of unsweetened plant-based milk (Soy, Almond, Rice, Coconut, etc.) or Natural, unsweetened juice. Also, if additional protein is needed, you can add in a plant based, chemical and sweetener free protein mix. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Fast!
DC said,
Do you have to drink only spring water or can you just drink the water from the faucts.
Hi DC,
It doesn’t need to be only spring water or purified water. Filtered water is preferred because of quality issues, but if you only have tap water available, that is fine.
I am a little confused about the no drinking 100% juice thing. The passage says”…let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” If that means we should only be drinking water, shouldn’t we only be eating vegetables too? I don’t see anything about eating fruit or whole grains in that passage, but we do.
Hi Steven,
The two foundational scriptures for the fast are: Daniel 1:12 “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” Pulse is food grown from seed . . . corn, potatoes, wheat, rice, fruit and the like are all considered grown from seed.
Dan. 10:3 – I ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine come into my mouth; and I did not anoint myself* at all for the full three weeks. Because of this, we eat no sweeteners of any kind, no deep fried foods and no fancy desserts. We also don’t use any stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol.
You will find a wealth of information about the Daniel Fast on this blog and on my website at http://www.Daniel-Fast.com. All the resources you need for a successful and biblical Daniel Fast are here. I hope this helps!
*Daniel was mourning. The custom in that time was that men would wear oils and perfumes in their hair. But since Daniel was mourning, this was not appropriate and therefore he was in a simple and plain dress and hygiene.
My husband and I are embarking on the Daniel Fast for specific reasons, however I am a diabetic on two types of insulin. I am believing God to regulate my health issues seeing that I am seeking more of Him. Are there any suggestions as far as the insulin in concerned? The core reason for this question is that this is my first fast ever and I am excited about it but I don’t want to be ignorant as far as my health is concerned. Please..reply.
Hi Anneccia,
Diabetes – Men and women with insulin or Type 2 diabetes experience wonderful results on the Daniel Fast if they are wise about the foods they eat. Whole grain cereals and leafy green vegetables are packed with protein yet very low on the glycemic index. The same is true of legumes. Many people with Type 2 diabetes are able to balance their blood sugar levels with the food they eat and can soon eliminate or drastically reduce the meds they take. The same is true with insulin-dependent diabetics – often able to greatly reduce the amount of insulin necessary to balance their BS levels.
You will want to make sure to eat foods that are low on the glycemic index and not sugary fruits. Of course you want to take the advice of your health professional and access your own knowledge. But you can get plenty of protein in other ways than nuts and peanut butter. Whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables are excellent sources of protein.
If you go to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address you can order your copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines and they will be emailed back to you. Have your health care provider look these over with you and make what modifications they see best for your health care. I hope this helps.
Be Blessed on your fast!
Wouldn’t herbal tea be similar to using herbs and spices on food? I am just adding natural herbs and spices to my water. I have green tea with lemon in it, so that would be just like putting lemon in the water and adding green tea leaves. I really do not see how herbal tea is not accepted. Nowhere in the Bible does it say Daniel spiced his food, yet the food list shows spices to be acceptable. I am sure Daniel didn’t have Veggie Burgers back then and nowhere in the Bible does it mention the Veggie Burger, yet those are okay. I understand the Bible says water, but if we can only have water because of what the Bible states why are the other above items ok? I am just confused on the exemption of herbal tea.
Hi Sharon,
Here is one of the two verses that serve as the anchors for the Daniel Fast:Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Daniel 1:12 Daniel asked that he drink only water . . . thus, water is the only beverage on the Daniel Fast. This is a time for you to ask yourself why this so important to you, and let the Holy Spirit lead you in the way you should go in this fast.
Be Blessed in your journey!
I’ve never done the Daniel fast. This coming year, 2011 I’m planning on doing the fast with the church. The water with cucumber & lemon sound great. This might be a dumb question, but is the cucumber peeled? Thanks so much for setting up this website. I pray that everyone that is on the fast or is getting ready will be successful in, 1st and foremost getting closer to our Lord & Father, and that their request be answered according to the Lord’s Will. God bless & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I am excited for you, this first fast will be a life changing experience you! Regarding water with or without the cucumber peeled, this is up to your preference, I leave the peels on everything at every opportunity (for both the appearance and nutritionally).
Be Blessed!
You can easily make fruit smoothies…
Make some fresh orange juice
Fruit-[frozen=grapes, peach, banana, strawberries, melon]
Or fresh but add ice.
Nothing else is needed and it is definitely delicious!
The foods encouraged on the Daniel Fast would likely nourish me better than my current grab-and-go “lifestyle.” With that to look forward to, I have three questions. First, any tips on how to withdraw from caffeine would be appreciated (I see there is at least one blogger for whom coffee is a joy). Second, how to ensure there is enough protein in my fast? Third, and most importantly, 21 days as an initial fast seems like a lot to me. Is it acceptable to fast for a shorter time period? I am thinking of trying an initial fast for 72 hours, which would give me time to experiment with the allowed foods, and time to spend in prayer.
Thanks to all. I am looking forward to hearing from all. Peace to you.
Are dates ok on the Daniel Fast? They are also a very sweet product and one I like a little more than raisins and bananas.
Hello, I am trying this fast for the first time. I would like to know what type of cereals you recommended hot or cold and is soy milk OK?. This an opportunity to experience better food choices for my whole family as well as relying on God for the strength to say no to my normal intake of sweets among other foods that are not good for you. I am open for suggestions.
Hello, I’m starting the Daniel Fast and wanted to know if smoothies are acceptable. Please advise
Hi Metric,
Smoothies are okay if they are just fruit and vegetables and free from sweeteners and chemicals. I do want to add that this is not considered a beverage, but rather a way to consume fruit. The only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water (see Daniel Chapter 1).
I hope the best for you on your Daniel Fast.
Is whey protein powder allowed in the smoothie?
Hi Robin,
Whey is dairy based, and there is no dairy allowed on the fast. However, you can get a plant based protein powder to use, like soy protein powder would be one option. I hope this helps, Be Blessed!
I am beginning a 21 day fast today. I can not say I am not nervous. I know this is necessary however. I need clarity and desire to be much, much closer to the Lord. Please pray that I will be strengthen in the Lord during this precious time. Thank you for your very informative website. I will be using it often during the next few weeks, and sharing it with others.
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for your post and the information you provided. I think this is one of those issues that is still debatable since there are many health professionals and dieticians who say the opposite.
What we do know about the Daniel Fast is that all chemicals and artificial sweeteners are not allowed . . . so no aspartame or any other chemically based sweeteners. With that said, ALL sweeteners, including honey, raw sugar and cane juice are not allowed on the Daniel Fast. So in regards to the fast, this is a moot point.
In my humble opinion, when not fasting, I prefer to use Stevia if I need a no-calorie sweetener since it is a natural herb with no artificial chemicals and it gives a very sweet punch!
Be blessed on your fast and thanks again for your contribution.
i felt the need to respond to the information about the artificial sweetners. As a dietitian, somewhat of a naturalist, and a bible-based believer…i was quite skeptical of artificial sweetners. I was able to attend our National conference in Philly last october where i spent 3 hours listening to research and outcomes performed by the MS Society, the National Cancer Society and so forth (in other words not run by Splenda and Sweet N Low). What they had to say put me at ease about recommending these products for people who truly do need to use sugar substitutes for sweetness in regards to healthy, manageable weight loss or for diabetics especially. please read the two fact sheets below about what has been discovered and restated. i encourage moderation of sugar substitutes because over use can cause bloating and GI discomfort— i discourage three crystal light packets a day, etc. because i don’t want my clients to be dependent on that for enjoyment of food/beverage. it’s not a “natural” substance and i feel that chemicals do make our system run a little differently– hence the reaon for things like a detox with a daniel fast in today’s society. remember, that your table sugar isn’t exactly in the Temple’s best interest either:)
http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Straight_Answers_About_Aspartame.pdf
http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Sucralose.pdf
Jessica-Lauren Roberts, Licensed Dietitian
Hi Kimberly,
I am not familiar with that water, however the best thing to do is read the label. If it’s sugar-free and chemical-free, then it would be okay. Seasonings are okay, including salt and garlic salt. I also like to use fresh and dried herbs. When food is seasoned well, it can be more satisfying and therefore you won’t want to eat as much.
Finally, regarding the weight loss, I am an older woman of average build and I usually lose between 9-12 pounds on a 21-day Daniel Fast, keeping in mind that I am not trying to lose weight. It just happens. I have heard from many people who have lost more than 25 pounds during the 21-day fast.
Be blessed as you seek the Lord through prayer and fasting.
I wanted to know if any water is okay like sparklettes,can we use seasoning salt or garlic salt,and the main question is how much can a person lose on a 21 day daniels fast.
Hi Marion,
I am not totally sure what you are asking. If you are asking about adding fruit juice to water, then that is okay. If you are asking about a fruit drink product, then READ THE LABEL and see that the ingredients are consistent with the Daniel Fast Food List.
I hope this helps!
Can i drink friut 2 0 bottle of water?
Good morning
what about fruit 2 O bottle of water, but i going to try cucumber AND lemon in the water.
Well as the Scripture said, Daniel ate no pleasant food, I think he only ate the raw, steam, or boiled fruits and vegetables that were available to him..so salts and sugars are out unless they are natural..adding things to make them more pleasant to us takes aways, I think, the purpose of the fast. Daniel was mourning and seeking comfort from God. So in eating he was also reflecting that fact that he had no pleasure in anything but God, he was seeking Comfort in God and not food..I think that, that perhaps is essential to our understand of the fast. the health benefits I think are secondary, though prominent as they are. As we partake of the fast we should definately reflect on the rawness of our walk with God, Daniels countenance changed I belive not only because of the fast, but because his closeness with God was multiplied as well. At least that is how I understand the purpose of the fast..perhaps I am wrong or ignorant to the way this fast works, but regardless I love God and any growth towards God is always good.
Hi Cleopatra!
I hope the very best blessings on you and your husband as you consecrate yourselves to the Lord and His Ways with prayer and fasting. Be blessed and receive all the Lord has for you!
Regarding the water, yes to all! Add cukes by themselves or with lemon. See what works for you.
Also, I suggest you put aside some time to prepare several days of “take out” food. Then you can just grab them in the mornings when you leave for work. I make big batches of vegetarian thick soups and stews and store them in plastic bags. This is also a great way to store thick sauces. I then lay them flat, freeze them and then pull one out in the morning so it will thaw by lunch time. I often make curry sauces and then pour it over cooked brown rice. It’s a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Be blessed and keep in touch!
My husband and I have partnered together on the Daniel’s Fast. We are in day 3 of a 21 day fast. We have been on the Daniel’s Fast before, however, this time we are actively seeking God for financial and relationship breakthroughs. It is our desire this go round that we do the fast in its purist form. Because we are so busy, we normally do not have time to cook meals. Thererfore, salads or some type of fruit, or just abstinence is our choice of food. I am afraid that if this continues, we will become burnt out before we get started. Thank you for your ideas of how we can stay on track. In review of ways to ‘dice’ up pure water, would you suggest cucumber AND lemon in the water OR either or?
I have tried water with cucumber and lemon and it is great. I kept a pitcher of this in the fridge for several weeks. A pitcher wouldn’t last me but about two days and then I would make a fresh one. It is really refreshing in the summer time. Thanks for sharing the tip.
Hi,
This is my first time I am serious about fasting. I am in need of a spiritual and body cleanse. I have a strong addiction to sugar and peppermint that I need to break or my health will most definitely falter. Please pray my strength during these 30 days!
Thank you!
Hi Nancy,
I sure can see why you might conclude that coffee would be okay. However, as you read Daniel Chapters 1 and 10 you will likely come to the same conclusion that he drank only water during the fast.
Some people drink fruit and/or vegetable juice on the fast, but as a Daniel Fast purist, I drink only water with the rare occasion of juice.
Coffee is the one thing I miss the most on the fast and going without it served as an valuable lesson for me as I put my spirit in control over what my flesh dearly desired. Also, the area that people find the most detox taking place has to do with caffeine. While coffee can be good for the body, excess caffeine can be detrimental.
I hope this helps and I do hope the very best for you on your fast.
Why is coffee not “acceptable” on the Daniel Fast? is it not a “bean” juice? I can drink it plain/black? What be the difference (technically) in a cup of black coffee or any fruit/veggie juice?
Thank you Sheron for sharing your story.
In my opinion, if we would all eat balanced diets and exercise we would have no need for artificial products of any kind.
I hear from hundreds of people on the Daniel Fast and I really do think the Lord is calling us to take better care of our bodies so we can be of better for ourselves, better service to Him and more able to care for others.
Blessings to you!
I want to reiterate the comment regarding aspartame. I stopped drinking diet drinks several years ago when I found out they were causing my constant headaches. When I ended up in the doctor’s office a few years later with MS type symptoms, my brain scan showed multiple lesions. Don’t let anyone tell you artificial sweetners with chemicals are ok and don’t try new ones that claim they are ok and not harmful-trust me, they are harmful and I have the dysfunctions to back that up.
Hi Bonni,
Apple cider vinegar is fine, however honey and all sweeteners are off the Daniel Fast “okay” list.
When I have cravings, I use them as an internal signal to pray and praise the Lord! It’s a great way to draw closer to Him.
Blessings to you on your fast!
Is honey ok on the fast? What about vinager. I heard from a friend that heating up water and adding 2 TBSP of apple cider vinager, and 1 TBSP of honey helps with cravings. I started doing that and it really helps! But are these items ok? Also, what about oranges?
Thanks,
Bonni
Cathy,
For your baked potato, I would try finding a natural salsa. It kicks it up a little and gives a little more moisture too.
Hi Cathy,
The Daniel Fast is a “no animal products” fast. So butter is out. It is also a “no chemical” fast, so artificial flavorings are also off limits.
I suggest you consider a small amount of olive oil with herbs or use the baked potato as a base and pour lentil stew or vegetarian chili over it. Very tasty. You could also make a sauce using silken tofu.
Blessings to you on your fast.
I’ve been drinking water for years, recently my husband intruduced me to plain carbonated water, no flavorings, maybe that would be a good sustitute
God Bless
Cathy
I recently read on another website that the butter sprays ( I can’t believe it’s not butter) were ok to use during the Daniel Fast. Is this true or not. By the way I happen to love baked potatoes, can anyone tell me what I can do to replace the butter that I would normally put on it.
Thanks so much
Cathy
Hi Linda,
I have the white stevia . . . but to be truthful, I don’t even use that on the Daniel Fast. I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to the fast and since stevia is a “substitute,” while natural I still go without.
That may seem a little picky, but in my conversations with the Lord, for me it was fudging it a bit. Instead I use bananas, applesauce and raisins to add natural sweetener to my foods.
With that said, this is my deal and if you feel okay about using Stevia I think the white type is fine.
Blessings to you on your fast.
Does the stevia have to be the unbleached one, or is the white stevia ok?
Thanks
Hi Dee,
Water with lemon is fine. I NEVER drink Crystal Light because of all the chemicals it has in it. The most questionable chemical is aspertame which is actually a mixture of three chemicals.
Here is a what one professional says about it, “Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as “excitotoxins.” They “excite” or stimulate the neural cells to death.
“A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
ALS
Memory loss
Hormonal problems
Hearing loss
Epilepsy
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Hypoglycemia
AIDS
Dementia
Brain lesions
Neuroendocrine disorders
With that . . . I say stick with lemon in your water!
I have problem wth plain water. But I can drind water with lemon juice and/or Crystal Light in it. Can I drink the Crystal Light water on the Daniel Fast?
Thanks Ron, for the kinds words . . . I would expect Perrier is within the “water” category. I am sure it is a good alternative to most city water!
Blessing on your fast!
What about Perrier water? I looked at the ingredients and it had nothing but minerals and water and natural carbonation. Love the site!!
Boiled ginger root also makes a great “tea”. Just press the sliced ginger root in the bottom of the pan before adding water, slowly bring to a boil, strain into your favorite cup and enjoy.