Daniel Fast Instructions
The Daniel Fast is growing in popularity around the world. Just today I received messages from brothers and sisters in Christ from South Africa, Singapore, France, United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA!
The Daniel Fast is a totally plant-based way of eating. It’s based on the fasting practices of the prophet’s fasting experiences as recorded in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10, along with typical Jewish fasting principles. So the fast is centered on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds and good quality oils (i.e. olive and canola). You can also use herbs and seasonings.
The only beverage on the fast is water, but you can use juice and unsweetened soy milk (also rice, almonds, etc) on cereal or in recipes.
To learn more about the food lists, go to http://Daniel-Fast.com and request a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines and they will be emailed to you immediately.
Most people do the Daniel Fast for 21 days, however it is not a required length. Many fast for as few as seven days or for as many as 50.
There are no restrictions as to the amount of food you can eat on the Daniel Fast or when you can eat. However, we do want to keep in mind that this is a fast. So I encourage people to eat no more than three moderate meals and two small snacks.
For more information about the Daniel Fast, visit http://Daniel-Fast.com and review this blog. You can also find the Daniel Fast book and Cookbooks as the website.
Be blessed on your fast!
I am curious to know how the Daniel Fast can be done in a healthy way for a person with celiac and type II diabetes. It seems that the Daniel Fast is very high in carbohydrates as well as grains such as barley, oats, and wheat which are not okay for those with celiac.
Hi Jesse,
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. Again, Whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables are excellent sources of protein. Also, you will want to eat complex carbohydrates rather than simple carbohydrates. They are processed very differently in the body. You need to stay away from simple carbohydrates.
- Some examples of healthy foods containing “Complex Carbohydrates”:
Spinach, Whole Barley, Grapefruit, Turnip Greens, Buckwheat flour, Apples, Lettuce, Prunes, Water Cress, Oat bran flour, Apricots, Dried, Zucchini, Oatmeal, Pears, Asparagus, Oat bran cereal, Plums, Artichokes, Muesli, Strawberries, Okra, Wild rice, Oranges, Cabbage, Brown rice, Yams, Celery, Multi-grains, Carrots, Cucumbers, Pinto beans, Potatoes, Dill Pickles, low fat Soybeans, Radishes, Lentils, Broccoli, Navy beans, Garbanzo beans, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Kidney beans, Eggplant, Soy milk, Lentils, Onions, Whole meal spelt flour, Split peas.
Now, with the added restrictions of celiac issues (which I don’t know much other than gluten free foods)… So, 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
I encourage you to take a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines to your Health Care Provider and together make the required modifications (if any) to your fast. 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 Journey!!
I actually have a question my mother is a type two diabetic is it safe for her to do the daniel fast?
Many men and women with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes experience very positive results with the Daniel Fast. The vast majority of those with T2 are able to level their BS with food alone and can cut back on their medications. We always encourage people to follow their doctor’s advice and to stay away from foods with high natural sugar content (dried fruits, grapes, etc) and to focus on foods that are low on the glycemic index. If one needs to modify the fast, then merely maintain the core of the eating plan and add appropriate amounts of protein.
I hope this helps. Be blessed!
I’m a type two diabetic and have been on the 21 day fast since the 1st .I really want to finsh the fast but my concern is my blood sugar has been under 90 most of the time . I have talked to my doctor but I would also appreciate your reponse as to whether you think I should continue because when my BS is under 90 I experience feeling like shaking,numbness of the lips,blurred vision dizzieness which really concrens me what’s your opion?
Hi Tammy,
You are not getting the correct balance of foods in your diet. Most people with type 2 diabetes are able to control their blood sugar with food only while on the Daniel Fast. The slow release of sugar in the complex carbohydrates makes it very favorable for balancing the BS. You will want to make sure to eat foods that are “low on the glycemic index” and not sugary fruits. But you can get plenty of protein in other ways than nuts and peanut butter. Again, Whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables are excellent sources of protein. Also, you will want to eat complex carbohydrates rather than simple carbohydrates. They are processed very differently in the body. You need to stay away from simple carbohydrates.
- Some examples of healthy foods containing “Complex Carbohydrates”:
Spinach, Whole Barley, Grapefruit, Turnip Greens, Buckwheat flour, Apples, Lettuce, Prunes, Water Cress, Oat bran flour, Apricots, Dried, Zucchini, Oatmeal, Pears, Asparagus, Oat bran cereal, Plums, Artichokes, Muesli, Strawberries, Okra, Wild rice, Oranges, Cabbage, Brown rice, Yams, Celery, Multi-grains, Carrots, Cucumbers, Pinto beans, Potatoes, Dill Pickles, low fat Soybeans, Radishes, Lentils, Broccoli, Navy beans, Garbanzo beans, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Kidney beans, Eggplant, Soy milk, Lentils, Onions, Whole meal spelt flour, Split peas.
I encourage you to take a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines to your Health Care Provider and together make the required modifications (if any) to your fast. You can order a copy of the Guidelines by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you. Also, to do a deeper study of the fast and the health benefits you may consider getting a copy of the Daniel Fast book http://www.amazon.com/dp/1414334133/?tag=lacatt-20 , which includes lots of recipes and meal plans. I hope this helps, Be Blessed in your health and your Fast!
Can you have Almond milk on the Daniel Fast?
Thank you,
Amber
You can have unsweetened plant-based milk, including unsweetened almond milk. Keep in mind that water is the only beverage so the milk can be used in recipes or on cereal.
Be blessed!
Is it safe to use Miracle Noodles while on The Daniels Fast. It seems as if it would but I just wanted clarification.
Hi LaNeika,
It all depends on the Ingredients and what’s in them, are they made of whole grain flour, are they dairy free, sweetener and additive free? I am sorry I can not give you a straight up yes or no, but I not familiar with these and my attempts to internet search did not give me a Ingredients List to review. So, I hope this helps a little!
CAN WE HAVE SEX WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE HAVING A DANIEL FAST?
Hi Sam,
Marital relations do not have to stop during the Daniel Fast, Unless, you and your spouse agrees to that practice. 1 Corinthians 7:5 “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control”. You might consider it however, as a way to pour a very powerful element of love into your marriage. Some choose to stop sexual relations and instead serve each other with acts of kindness and care. Couples who do this find their marriage improved in ways they could not otherwise experience. Scripture says that both the husband and wife must agree if sexual relations are to be withheld for a period of time. I hope this helps, Be Blessed on your Journey
My iron is extremely low and my doctor has instructed me to increase my red meat intake. Can i fast something else in leu of the red meat on the Daniel fast?
Hi Louisa,
Yes, absolutely you can! I encourage you to prayerfully go over the Daniel Fast Guidelines and the Instructions from your physician and then make the appropriate medical based modifications. Be Blessed on your Fast!
I am fasting on June 1-21, and the fasting time begins 12 midnight to 4pm daily. During that fasting time, is it ok to drink water, have veggies, fruit, and fish or do you abstain and eat after 4pm?
Hi Dionne,
Some fasts begin at sunrise and end at sunset. However, the Daniel Fast does not require this modification to our eating patterns. If you choose to add this step to your fast, then that would still be okay, but it is not a required step for the Daniel Fast.
The Daniel Fast is totally plant based so there is no fish allowed on the fast. Here is a general list to help you on your fast: All fruits, All vegetables, All whole grains, All nuts and seeds, All legumes, All quality oils. Beverages: 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.
If you don’t already have one 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, this is a great resource to have on hand while on your fast. Be Blessed on your Fast!
To confirm: nutritional yeast is not to be used in the Daniel Fast, correct?
Thank you,
Hi Bobbi,
Because nutritional yeast it is deactivated and not a leavening product, yes it would be allowed.
Am nearing the end of my Daniel Fast- I chose to do it for the 40 days of Lent, and also the six Sundays – I know they are “free” days but I didn’t want to go back and forth – I’ve lost about 10 lbs,and feel GREAT! Also, while fasting, I prayed for unity and peace in our church, and also for the Church worldwide…. I look forward to Easter with renewed spirit and great joy!! I will definitely do this again…….
This is Great! i’ve been looking for a way to fast but still eat sith out limiting myself to just fruit n veggies! This is also great because my friend from high school has this book as his profile picture on face book because his nam actually is DANIEL FAST
Just started the Daniel Fast this morning, Ash Wednesday. I have a good stock of foods, and will do some more shopping for unsweetened soy milk. I will be saying a decade of The Rosary each day, and walking my treadmill/lifting light weights daily as well.
I have been looking forward to doing this for Lent. Both the physical and spiritual me are grateful for this opportunity. I have a strong feeling that I won’t be going back to my old way of eating after this, and that is such a great thing to feel.
Be blessed on your fast, Larry. Lent is a powerful time of prayer and fasting as we draw closer to Jesus! He is so good and worthy of all our praise and devotion.
I ordered a Daniel Fast cookbook and I have not received it. I ordered it in December or beginning of January. Could you please answer me. This is the second time I have sent this message. Thank-you and God Bless
Hi Charlene,
I am not sure the difficulty you are having, however this is our second response as well. Hopefully, we can get through this time. : ) Anyhow, Yes, we will find out what is going on and get your cookbook to you. First of all a couple of questions to help us track, was it a paperback or an e-book? If an e-book, be sure to check your spam file (or grey mail), this can filter out and hide the link for download we send. If it’s not in there, or if a paperback, please send an email to customerservice@daniel-fast.com with your name, the date of purchase and which site you made your purchased through. Thank you and keep us posted!
I have a vegan beverage that can be mixed with hot water can I use it? It contains roated barley, roasted chickory and roasted rye.
Hi Tina,
I must admit I am not familiar with this beverage, it does sound good as a soup base. However, the only drinking beverage on the Daniel Fast is water. You can use 100% unsweetened juice and plant-based milks in recipes…And, in a ‘smoothie” that has been made as a meal replacement.
I hope this helps!
My mom is diabetic and on insulin. What would be good for her to eat on the daniel’s fast?
Hi Jenny,
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.
But don’t abandon the advice of your health care professional. It’s very likely that your Mom may experience some very positive outcomes from the Daniel Fast, but be sure to compare the Daniel Fast Guidelines with the instructions from your physician and then make the appropriate modifications. You can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidlelines by going to http://www.daniel-fast.com and enter your email address, they will be emailed back to you.
Be blessed!
Is one allowed to exercise during the fast?
Yes, you can exercise, but you will want to take appropriate steps to make sure your body receives what it needs for good health.
I see MORNINGSTAR has a lot of veggie products, is this good for the dainel fast?
READ THE LABEL and review the ingredients in the products. As I recall, they use sweeteners in their products, thus not allowed on the Daniel Fast. You can make your own veggie burgers using recipes in The Daniel Fast Cookbook Version II available at http://www.daniel-fast.com/store.html
Be blessed
hi there everyone, I would like to start off by saying May God Bless you all. I would like some advise. I have recently given my life over to the Lord and would like to do a fast. Which one do you think is suitable for a firsts timer? I would like to fast to gain wisdom on the gift that the Lord has given me!
Hi Wanita,
First of all Welcome to the family of God! You have begun an amazing, wonderful journey (one that the Angels in Heaven rejoiced over when you said ‘Yes’ to Jesus). Not only have you secured your eternal future but you have also started the process of yielding to the working of the Holy Spirit of the living God in your life. Fasting is a powerful tool to bring us closer to God and to enable us to focus our attention on Him and His Word. Any fast that denies the flesh its whims and wants will force it to come into submission to your spirit as you pursue the Holy Spirits direction for your life, will be a successful fast for you. With that said, there are no rules for a first time fast, this is where you get to fine tune your spiritual ears and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Is a water only fast coming to your thoughts? Do you have health concerns that you must be wise with? Or, since you have found this website, the Daniel Fast very well could be the fast for you to start with. You can go to http://daniel-fast.com and have the daniel fast guidelines emailed to you (we are unable to send them from this site) prayerfully look them over and remember the goal of any fast is to discipline the flesh and draw close to the Lord so you can hear Him and receive breakthrough, instruction or direction from Him. He Is Faithful, as you draw near to Him, He Will draw near to you!
Blessings to you dear one!
Hey are there different types of Daniel fasts, because in the Bible I just see one. And it says that he ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine came to his mouth. Now by this I take that no seasoning, nothing really that we desire to make the food tastes BETTER… I don’t understand why people are asking questions when it clearly says no pleasant food. I need clarification, please. Thanks.
The Daniel Fast is based on the fasting experiences of the prophet. Fasting is restricting food for a spiritual purpose. That’s what Daniel did in Daniel 1 and in Daniel 10. These guidelines, along with typical Jewish fasting principles, are what make up the Daniel Fast guidelines.
You can get a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines at: http://Daniel-Fast.com
Be blessed on your fast.
HELLO I AM A DIABETIC PERSON AND ITS HARD FOR ME TO DO THIS FASTING BUT HEALTHY IN A WAY I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET PREGNANT AND I AM OVERWEIGHT ITS HARD BUT WITH PRAYER AND FAITH IM SURE I CA DO IT
Hi Rebecca, we receive countless emails from men and women who have diabetes (both types) and they are amazed at the improvement to their health when they go on the Daniel Fast. Be sure to follow the “real” Daniel Fast. I say that because there is a lot of “stuff” out there that is not consistent with the Scriptures. God knew what He was doing when He designed the foods for our bodies, so be sure to stick with His ways! You can go to http://Daniel-Fast.com/ and have the guidelines emailed to you (we cannot send them from here). As you put yourself in the loving care of the Great Physician continue to follow the advice of your earthly physician. Both want healing and wholeness for you! So continue to use wisdom about the care your body needs with diabetes, but be confident that the Daniel Fast has everything you need for good health. Be Blessed in your journey!
Hello God bless, this is my first Daniel fast I want to know if when you are fasting do you have to eat you’re, three meals the same way example breakfast, lunch and supper?
http://danielfast.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/daniel-fast-instructions/#comment-10082
Hi Lorraine,
There isn’t any restrictions to the amount of food to eat at meals on the fast or when . . . but I do encourage people to eat three moderate meals and two small snacks each day. If you’re not a three meal a day person (like me) it will take additional discipline to do this. Think small, even tiny portions each meal. Be Blessed in this time of fasting!
What about if we make our own whole wheat bread? Do we leave out the sugar?
Hi Kim,
You can make your own unleavened whole wheat bread. Just now sweeteners or leavening products.
Be blessed on your fast.
I have been having stomach problems and a Sister told me this is a good way to help the problem it helped her. And I am willing to try anything to help me natuarlly and spiritually.