The Daniel Fast and Fasting for Food
I am delighted to announce a new partnership with Compassion International, one of the most respected child-advocacy ministries in the world, and Richard Bloomer who is an associate professor at the University of Memphis. Richard and his team of researchers have conducted clinical studies that show the health benefits of the 21-Day Daniel Fast.
Together, we are all working to recruit men and women who are using the Daniel Fast to begin the New Year – to help raise funds so children who don’t have enough to eat can receive the food they need.
Go to http://Daniel-Fast.com/FFF.html to see a short video about this great opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of hurting children. This is an exciting new program and truly puts the power of Christ’s love into action as we help those in poverty by “fasting for food.”
You can also visit the Fasting for Food site: http://FastingForFood.com
Hi, I’m on day 7 of the Daniel fast, I’m only fasting for 10 days. So far so good, and I can honestly say I have not been cheating. But today, today is hard. I’m HUNGRY and want a fat greasy cheeseburger with all the fixings and a side of onion rings smothered in ketchup hallelujah! God you said your grace is sufficient and I am feeling ever so weak… Please pray for me. I know this is the devil trying to tempt me, because God has been doing some awesome things in my life these past 7 days, he has even answered some of my prayers. I’m so close to the finish line… and I don’t want to throw in the towel. I know that this is a small sacrifice because Christ made the ultimate one. To God be the glory!
Hi, my name is John. I will try to make it simple, I exercise and weight training about 5-6 days a week my concern is adequate post and regular protein intake throughout the day. Do you have any suggestions?
God bless.
Hi John, you can get plenty of protein in nuts, peanut butter (any nut butter), Whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables, also some will add in unsweetened soy (or any plant based) protein powder into a ‘smoothie’ meal (make sure all other ingredients comply with the Daniel Fast and watch out for sweeteners, chemical additives whey). And, make sure you are drinking your daily requirements of Water! I hope this helps!
I have a question, how much weight is expected to lose on this fast? and why is it 21 days?
Hi Jessica,
It is normal for people to lose a few pounds while on the fast (5-15) but not do to a lack of food, as we advise 3 moderate meals with 2 small snacks per day. Weight loss on the fast is directly connected to the removal of sugars, chemical additives, etc. basically “simple carbohydrates”: All of which are NOT allowed on the fast. However, you do not have to lose weight on the fast if you do not want to. Maintaining healthy body weight is a combination of Caloric intake (eating three moderate meals with two snacks per day) and Exercise. You will want to pay specific attention to your protein intake, and you can get plenty of protein in Nuts and Peanut butter, Whole grains, Legumes (beans) and Leafy Green Vegetables. And, remember to Drink Lots of Water! As a general guideline, your body needs half its body weight in ounces of water per day, i.e.: 160lbs = 80 oz. of water daily.
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). The two foundational scriptures for the fast are Daniel 1:12, he fasted with “vegetables (pulse, food grown from seed) and water only.” In Daniel 10:3 “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. Be Blessed!
Can one drink soda water/cabinated water
Hi Janine,
All sparkling waters are not created equal, you will need to read the Ingredients Label. However, Perrier is a naturally carbonated water that I can recommend to you as a Daniel Fast friendly one. I hope this helps!
I am on my fifth day of the fast and I really believe that God will help me with a problem that I’ve been battling with for quite some time. I follow a consistent exercise programme every morning before I go to work, comprising of 4 days of running and 2 days of going to the gym. Yesterday I had a headache almost the whole day and feeling a bit dizzy. I took a disprin and bought energade. Is this normal? My tummy was also feeling upset. I still had the headache by the time I went to bed and I was okay by morning and managed to go for the run. I also wanted to ask why are herbal teas not allowed? Regarding praying, I am mainly following the scripture readings from the Covenant website page and my own petitions, is it enough?
Ntokozo
Hi Ntokozo,
A headache is one of the most common side effects of your body going through the detox process from caffeine, sugar and/or chemical additives, and can last up to 3-7 days (depending on levels stored in your body). Increase your water intake to flush your system, this will help minimize your symptoms and speed up the cleansing proccess. As a general rule your body needs half its body weight in ounces of water daily, ie: 160 lbs. = 80 ounces of water. As for your upset stomach, this is not normal and my guess is that you are dealing with a bit of a bug of some sort, increasing your water intake will benefit you in flushing this out as well.
Now….for the herbal teas, 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 (foods grown from seeds) 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. You can however add a lemon slice or a squirt of lemon juice to your water, the key here is that you can still in all honesty call it water. The amount of time you spend in prayer and in The Word while on a fast should reflect an increase of what you do normally when not on a fast. So whatever you normally are doing…Increase It, and it doesn’t matter how much you increase, just do more and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. He is faithful and will bring a fresh new direction to this sweet time that you spend with Him. It sounds like what you are doing is a great starting point, watch… He Will lead you on from here! Be Blessed in your Journey!
Just wanted to know if unsweetend almond milk is acceptable???
thanks, and honey?
Yes, Unsweetened, additive free- plant based milks (Almond, Soy, Rice, Coconut, etc.) are allowed on the fast for use on cereal and in recipes, just not as a drinking beverage. There is no sweeteners of any kind (natural or artificial) allowed on the fast. I hope this helps!
Baco?
Hi Charity,
I am sorry, but I do not know what Baco is. If you want to provide more information on it I will be glad to see what I can find out. Be Blessed!
its a meatless vegan buger…
Oh, like Bocca Vegan Burgers?
If so, It’s all about the Ingredients, and what’s on the Ingredients list for “the” specific brand you’re looking at. So while the answer is yes, you can have vegan meatless burgers. You will need to read the ingredients label since most prepared vegan burgers do include egg whites, animal proteins, sweeteners, additives, and/or Yeast to some degree, (which are not allowed). You may very well decide to make your own, of which we have several recipes in The Daniel Fast book and in The Daniel Fast Cookbook – Version II – both available at http://daniel-fast.com/store.html Be Blessed on your Fast!
I called Piccadilly and they said their veggies are not cooked in meat but a flavoring of meat (powder or beef stock) . Is that allowed?
I’m sorry to tell you this, but if it is made with a beef stock powder just added in, then it still has beef in it and is not allowed on the fast. If it is made with an artificial beef stock flavoring that has no real beef in it, it still is not allowed because it is not a natural plant based whole food. I hope this helps!
Do you have any suggestions on protein powders that can be used during the Daniel Fast? I am interested in making fruit smoothies and I want to include a protein powder so that I can make sure I’m getting enough protein during my fast.
Hi Yunna,
You can find unsweetened soy-based protein powders in the natural foods sections of most supermarkets also, Health Food stores have a greater variety of plant based protein powders available. Be Blessed on your Fast!
Can we use ground cinnamon while on the Daniel Fast?
Yes, spices are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
Can you have butter during the fast? Have vegetables be cooked in meat shuch as smoked turkey wings? I do understand that I can’t eat the meat.
Hi Yunna,
The Daniel Fast is totally plant-based, so no butter or cooking with smoked meats. You can use olive oil with vegetables, which is really healthy and tasty!
I did the 21 day D fast and im on my 21st day. It seems that this past week has been the most difficult. However, my spirit has grown closer to God. I believe with my heart Jesus shed his blood for our sins. I gave up facebook, myspace and secular music ect. I found so many great christian music stations and programs. I read the bible & not only prayed but stayed in communicatin with God throught the day. Thank you for this blog! It is the best! Dinner tomorrow will be ahi tuna & grilled veggies! =))
Congratulations Tiffi on the successful completion of your fast!
You will never be the same, once you’ve tap into the annointed presence of the Lord that comes through fasting, you are forever hooked. Be Blessed on your continued Journey in Him!
Hello I am on day three of a Daniel Fast and I was wondering if I could eat organic egg white for breakfast?
Hi Maria,
The Daniel Fast is totally plant-based, so no eggs on the Daniel Fast.
What about medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter? What about vitamin supplements? (My fiancee uses Excedrin for migraines, as most prescribed medications have not helped.)
A fast should never bring harm to the body, so if this is a medication that is necessary, or if your health care provider has prescribed it, then by all means continue to take them during the fast. If you have the option of medication that is free of sweeteners or man-made chemicals, all the better.
Question, are we allowed to eat any seafood like fish, crabs, or shrimp during this fast as well? Or is it only fresh fruits and vegetables? Ive been using soy products as well.
Hi Olethia,
The Daniel Fast is totally plant-based. So no seafood on the Daniel Fast. As you spend more time on this blog and at our Daniel Fast site http://www.Daniel-Fast.com and you will find all the resources you need for a successful Daniel Fast, including you then can order a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines (which will clear up alot of confusion). I hope this helps!
I’ve been fasting since Jan. 2nd. My last day is on Jan.22nd. I don’t eat anything until after 3pm and when I do eat I try to follow the Daniel Fast. My question is can I change the times that I eat. I was thinking of not eating nothing for one whole day until the next day.
Hi Ericka,
There isn’t any time restriction on the Daniel Fast of when to eat and when not to eat. We can only direct you on this site according to the Daniel Fast Guidelines. My best counsel to you is for you to continue on being sesitive to Him and being led by the Holy Spirit on your fast. He is Faithful!
My wife and I started the Daniel Fast three days ago and so far so good. This is our second year doing the this fast and we had some major break throughs as a result of us fasting last year. We are fasting this year for our family, children and our ministry, and we are expecting God to do some great things!! To God be The Glory!!!!
I know you can have beans,but I was wondering about refried beans? I have gone thru a drive thru a couple of times and ordered them with no sauce and no cheese. Is that ok?
It’s all about the ingredients, Sarah. If the ingredients comply with the Daniel Fast, then they would be fine.
Be blessed.
Starting the Daniel Fast today. I am seeking to draw closer to God and grow more in the knowledge of his word. Also praying for healing in my body.
HI I am going to be starting the fast tomorrow.. our family needs a miracle… and we need to make a change in our spiritual lives to see God move in a miraculous way..my friend told me about the fast today and I really feel led to do it.. I eat pretty clean now.. I do have Ezekiel bread in the morning… with naturally more peanut butter… I think I am going to give up PB since that is about my favorite food….and I have egg whites with spinach every morning.. what would be a good breakfast…
Is there recipes online? I don’t have the book… thank you….
Hi Heidi,
There are many ways to fast, I believe all of them effective when the goal and purpose is to quiet and discipline the flesh in order to seek the Lord’s presence and will in your life. I would encourage you to get a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines and look over the specifics of the fast. 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. While at the site you can also check out and order any of the Daniel Fast books if interested while at the site. Our goal is to supply you with the resources you need for a successful fast.
Be Blessed in your fast!
I know this may sound silly, but I am on day three of the daniel fast and I had refried beans from a drive thru tonight, no cheese, no sauce,and I was wondering if that was okay? I really don’t want to mess up.
Hi Sarah,
If the beans were homemade refried beans I would say yes. However, being from a restuarant, I would assume that they have additives in them. Best to avoid them in the future.
My best friend and I are day 3 into the Daniel fast. We were wondering if we can have cassava for the ones from Africa also known as yucca root to the english speaking. This root is in the group of sweet potatoes only it grows like a tree. We also have a flour from the poshomill in Africa from cassava, wheat and millet that we brought back from Africa when we visited. Can we eat it? Help
Yes, all of the foods you mentioned are allowed and can be eaten when prepared using only ingredients that comply with the Daniel Fast.
Be blessed!
IM getting so so confuse. of can goods and ingredientes. also some ingredients say citcrus acid sulfate or even what chemicals u mean not to have
Citric acid is an organic natural preservative and allowed on the Daniel Fast. I encourage you to study this blog to learn more about the foods you can have. The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat and offers a great variety of healthy foods.
Just wanted you to know we have 21 people joining us for a prayer and fasting journey and we are using the Daniel fast and your website as a resource! Thank you so much for your work. Some of the people on the fast are preparing to go to Haiti on a mission trip. I loved that you added this great feature!
This is awesome! I have been sponsoring a child through Compassion since 2007! it is such a blessing!