Daniel Fast Food List
“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
One of the great things about the Daniel Fast is that you are not limited to any specific amount of food, but rather to the kinds of food you can eat. The Daniel Fast is limited to vegetables (includes fruits) and water.
Special Note: if you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast. If you would like a list of the foods included and excluded in the Daniel Fast to show your doctor, just copy the contents of this page. Also, if you are interested in a collection of recipes that will take you through an entire 21-day Daniel fast, click here.
After answering hundreds of questions about the Daniel Fast, I am updating the food guidelines. My hope is that it will serve as a more complete list. The original list used by many people was issued in a book about fasting. I know the author tried to do the best he could, but that isn’t the same as getting hundreds of questions seeking clarification. So here is the new list that I hope helps.
Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast
All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast
All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed foods products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
Remember, READ THE LABELS!
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Yes, you can make smoothies for meals on the Daniel Fast.
Here is an article I wrote a while back about making a mistake on the fast: http://daniel-fast.com/quit-break-daniel-fast/
No butter. The Daniel Fast is totally plant-based.
Be blessed
I’m not a health professional. It might be that you didn’t have enough protein. Add some nuts, beans or grains to your meal and you will likely level out. Most people wiht type 2 diabetes, when they eat a balanced Daniel Fast meal plan, are able to drastically reduce or eliminate their medication.
I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I am currently taking a pill 2x day. I began the Daniel Fast on Sunday. It’s a challenge, but the most puzzling part is that my BS level was 148 on Monday morning and 155 this morning (Tuesday). The only thing I ate when I got home yesterday was a salad and water and I went to bed. Can you tell me what could possibly be causing these spikes in the morning? I’m doing the best I can.
Grits are listed on the menu but can you add a little butter?
Can we have already made veggy smoothies or fruit smoothies whil on our fast? And if we make a mistake while fasting, what do we do
Most granola has sweeteners in it. So not allowed unless free of sweeteners and chemicals and made only with whole grains.
I wish I knew if acai berry bowls were allowed. When going to the smoothie place, the guy said he did not know if it contained milk or added sugar. Waaaaaa! And what about granola?
My preferred brand is Adams. Just read the list of ingredients on the food label. Is should have no sweeteners or chemicals. Also, consider making your own in the machines provided in supermarkets with natural food departments or at your local health food store.
what brand of peanut butter i can use that doesnt have added sugar
It’s all about the ingredients. Ranch dressing is a type of salad dressing made of some combination of buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs (commonly chives, parsley, and dill), and spices (commonly black pepper, paprika, and ground mustard seed), mixed into a sauce based on mayonnaise or another oil emulsion.
Buttermilk and mayonnaise have animal products (cows milk and eggs) and therefore Ranch Dressing is not allowed on the fast.
And thank you! God is good and I am blessed to serve Him.
Vicki, if you have studied the Daniel Fast and the Scriptures you will see that it makes absolute sense 🙂
The fast is based on the fasting experiences of the prophet Daniel from Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. In Daniel 1:12 we learn this: 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. Water is . . . water. And that’s why the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water.
I also want to share another couple points that your comment raises . . . and I write this only as a life lesson opportunity. First, “enjoy your strictly herbal teas” is sanctioning serving the flesh rather than denying it (which is at the center of the purpose for fasting). Second, teachers are judged. Teachers influence others to take action. And when what we teach is not correct, then we can steer people into error. That’s why I have spent countless hours researching the scriptures, the teachings of Christian and Jewish scholars, and sought God for insight about the fast. If we take on the role of teaching others, it’s a huge responsibility and that’s why the Lord judges teachers to be teaching the truth.
I hope this helps . . . be blessed.
So if herbs and spices are allowed, but herbal tea isn’t? That just makes no sense. So enjoy your strictly herbal teas. Not teas containing black tea or other caffeine.
Simply put, THANK YOU for this information!
My boyfriend loves Ranch Dressing, I told him I thought that it would be restricked from this fast but wanted to double check on here. I couldn’t find a definete answer so I thought I’d post a comment.
We started our fast on the 1st and I can speak for myself and say that many blessings are ahead and I feel amazing.
No, the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water.
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink” Daniel 1:12
Pulse is food grown from seed . . . and water is water. LOL This is why it’s the only beverage on the fast.
You could use unsweetened juice or unsweetened plant-based milk in a recipe.
Be blessed on your fast!
Can we drink 100% fruit juices?
Yes, and a great choice 🙂
Are red lentils allowed?
No. Only unleavened bread that is totally plant-based and includes no sweeteners or chemicals.
The Daniel Fast is totally plant-based and is free of any chemicals or sweeteners. You want to read the list of ingredients on the food labels. Also, read and study the food list provided on this site to become familiar with what is and is not allowed.
As long as it’s free of chemicals and sweeteners, most basic granolas are fine. Easy to make your own. The challenge is finding granola that is unsweetened
I’m new to The Daniel Fast, what type of granola can be used if making an Acai bowl?
can you use organic chicken broth
can you have whole grain bread
Hi Kym,
Unsweetened almond milk is allowed in recipes or on cereal. Almond butter is a good choice (make sure its free of sweeteners and/or chemicals).
Here is a good article I wrote to address the issue with making a mistake while fasting: Mistakes and Fasting
Yes, you can add citrus slices, cucumber and other “fresheners” to the water. Just make sure the liquid is on the side of water and doesn’t tip over into tea 🙂
Can I drink water with lemon?
Susan
Thanks for your information. I wanted to know about almond butter and unsweetened almond milk? Are they ok on the list? Also if I messed up with a food item that I wasn’t suppose to include, do I need to start over the next day?
Yes, to the coconut oil and no the Stevia since it’s a sweetener and no sweeteners are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
can we use coconut oil? Can I use pure Stevia?
Yes, it’s a great choice. You just need to make sure the ingredients are all in line with the Daniel Fast guidelines.
I make my own (fresher, better tasting and much less expensive). You can find the recipe here: Black Bean Hummus
Can we have hummus on the Daniel Fast
I use Westsoy and Pacific. Not sure if they are available in your area. The main thing is to read the list of ingredients on the label to be sure the contents is free of added sweeteners and/or chemicals.
Be blessed on your fast!
Thanks! Any particular brands you recommend?? I usually buy Almond Breeze and Silk…unsweetened.
Yes, Stephanie. They are allowed if the are free of man-made chemicals and any kind of sweeteners. My favorite is unsweetened soy milk.
Be blessed on your fast.
Almond, cashew, coconut, rice etc milks allowed?