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
Get an immediate download of the Daniel Fast Guidelines at www.Daniel-Fast.com
The Daniel Fast is a plant-based partial fast. It is based on the Prophet Daniel when he was under the rule of Babylonian kings for their personal service. Daniel recorded three occasions of fasting, though he likely fasted many more times since he was a man of God.
Daniel 10:2, 3 is where we find the model for the 21-day Daniel Fast. From this passage, a guidelines have developed over the years, primarily by Christians who use this as a form of fasting. The Daniel Fast has grown in popularity over the last 3 or 4 years as it’s been championed by Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Gainesville, GA.
No Pleasant Food: This would include breads, sugars and sweet foods.
No Meat: All animal products are restricted on the Daniel Fast. That includes meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products (milk, eggs, cheese, butter, etc.)
No Wine: This restriction, coupled with previous fasts where Daniel drank only water (which is typical for biblical fasting), is where today’s Daniel Fast finds its roots for water only. Fruit and vegetable juices are acceptable.
See The Daniel Fast Food List for more details.
For a collection of recipes and menu plans that will take you through an entire 21-day Daniel Fast, click here.
Spiritual Fasting: The Daniel Fast is a restriction of food for spiritual purposes. So the fast addresses not only the body, but also ones spirit and soul.
See these two posts for more information about Spiritual Fasting:
The Daniel Fast is Always a Spiritual Fast
For more complete information about the Daniel Fast (and to have all the information easily accessible) consider The Daniel Fast for the Body Soul and Spirit.
SUSAN said,
May 4, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I HAVE BEEN VERY ENCOURAGED ABOUT THIS DANIEL FAST. I ATE A PIECE OF POULTRY ON MY SECOND DAY AND I AM FEELING REALLY BAD ABOUT THIS DO I START OVER OR CONTINUE ON? SINCERELY SUSAN
Daniel Fast Team said,
May 4, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Hi Susan,
No, you don’t have to start over if you made a mistake on the Daniel Fast. This is a great reflection of our life with Christ. There are times when we make mistakes in our Christian walk, but we don’t have to start over. Instead, we stand up, seek the Lord’s wisdom and the neccessary adjustments, (repent change our ways) and move forward knowing we are forgiven! God is so good!
christine...MD said,
April 29, 2012 at 6:36 am
Can you take vitamins and is natural sea salt ok?
Daniel Fast Team said,
May 1, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Yes you can take daily supplements, although we encourage you to find supplements that are free of sweeteners or man-made chemicals. Natural salt is allowed on the fast (such as Sea Salt or Kosher Salt). I hope this helps!
christy said,
April 16, 2012 at 6:35 am
When searcing for Daniel Fast recipes online I have found several that include raw sugar, agave or honey. Are these items allowed?
Daniel Fast Team said,
April 16, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Hi Christy,
There is alot of erroneous information out there regarding the Daniel Fast food list. With that said, there is no sweeteners of any kind (natural or artificial) allowed on the fast. I hope this helps!
Amber said,
March 31, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Can I have almond milk instead of soy milk? I bought silk pure almond all natural almond milk. In the ingredients it has All natural evaporated cane juice, calcium carbonate, sea salt, locust bean gum, gellan gum, sunflower lecithin , d-alpha-tocopherol, natural vitamin e, zinc gluconate, vitamin a palmitate, riboflavin (b2) vitamin b12, vitamin d2. I was also reading the nutrition facts and it said sugars 7g, but in the ingredients it doesn’t say sugar is in it. I really need help! Thanks.
Daniel Fast Team said,
April 7, 2012 at 11:00 am
Yes, you can use unsweetened additive free almond milk (or other plant-based milks) during your fast with recipes and on cereal, (evaporated cane juice is a sweetener/sugar and to be avoided on the fast, so keep looking for a brand that is free of this). Also, the only drinking beverage on the fast is water . . . Be Blessed on your Fast!
Sally Brummett said,
March 27, 2012 at 7:01 am
Hi Susan,
I just read about The Daniel Fast in Women’s World magazine and am really interested in getting started. Having been recently diagnosed with osteopenia however, I’m wondering if it’s safe and something I should do. I’m 63 years old and am really feeling the need to do this.
Thank you,
Sally B.
Daniel Fast Team said,
March 29, 2012 at 11:56 am
Hi Sally,
Yes, Calcium rich foods are available in abundance on the Daniel Fast, you just need to know where to look. Here are some ideas: Plant based milks (Soy, Almond, Rice, Coconut, etc.) Sesame Seeds, Flax Seeds, Tofu, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Green Leafy Vegetables (Turnip, Mustard, and Dandelion Greens, Collards, Kale). And let’s not discount our dried Herbs sprinkled throughout our foods, they do add up. For example: Dried Savory tops the list with 2132mg of calcium per 100g serving (213%RDA), that is 85mg (9% RDA) per tablespoon. It is followed by celery seed with 124mg (12%RDA) of calcium per tablespoon, dried thyme with 57mg (6% RDA) per tblsp, dried dill with 53mg (5% RDA) per tblsp, dried marjoram with 40mg (4%RDA) per tblsp, dried rosemary with 38mg (4% RDA) per tblsp, sage, sisymbrium, oregano, spearmint, parsley, poppy seed, chervil and finally dried basil. If you still question that you’re getting enough calcium in your foods consider adding a sweetener/additive free plant based supplement to your regime. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Fast!
Kelli said,
March 25, 2012 at 5:45 am
Sorry if this has been asked before – are spices (salt & pepper, etc) allowed?
Daniel Fast Team said,
March 29, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Hi Kelli,
Yes, all additives free seasonings, spices, salt and peppers is allowed. Be Blessed!
Arlene said,
March 17, 2012 at 6:49 am
Is almond milk ok on Daniel’s Fast? It is a non dairy product. Also, is soy milk ok to have?
Daniel Fast Team said,
April 7, 2012 at 11:02 am
You can use unsweetened additive free plant based milks (almond, soy, rice, cocnut, etc.) during your fast with recipes and on cereal. But, the only drinking beverage on the fast is water . . . Be Blessed on your Fast!