The primary purpose of the Daniel Fast is not to lose weight or improve your physical health. Rather, the Daniel Fast is like all other fasts –refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. If you are entering the fast without a spiritual intent, then you are going on a “diet.” Nothing wrong with diets! But a diet is not a fast, even though the terms seem to be synonymous these days. Fasting is a spiritual exercise that involves the abstention of food. The Daniel Fast is a “partial fast” since one does not refrain from eating, but rather from eating specific foods, but still for a spiritual purpose.
With that said, the Daniel Fast is what I like to call “the whole body experience.” Why? Because while you will gain in your spirit and your soul from the Daniel Fast, you will surely improve your body’s health, as well. That’s because the foods on the Daniel Fast are easy on the body and allows is to function in an optimum manner.
You can review the Food List for the Daniel Fast and see foods to eat include only fruits, vegetables, and water. Foods to avoid completely are sugar, processed foods, dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol and of course, meat. These are all foods that hinder the body from optimum health.
While on the Daniel Fast, your body will experience a certain level of detoxification. It will purge itself of many of the impurities and toxins in its system. While the first few days you might feel a little sluggish, you will most likely experience an increase of energy in the second week.
As you plan your Daniel Fast menus, consider the health benefits of the foods you include.
Here are just some of the benefits from specific foods:
Artichokes
Artichokes contain plant compounds known as caffeoylquinic acids, which increase the flow of bile and help to digest fats.
Beans
Beans are an excellent source of protein and actually one of the best foods to cleanse your colon and aid digestion.
Beets
Beets contain betaine, which promotes the regeneration of liver cells and the flow of bile. It also has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism.
Broccoli
Broccoli and other members of the brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi) support the liver’s detoxification enzymes.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Food sources of vitamin C and glutathione, which are essential for detox.
Protein
Protein is required by the liver for detox. Beans, nuts, seeds, and quinoa. are just a few that you can add to your menus.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are rich in sulfur-containing compounds. Involved in sulfation, the main detox pathway for environmental chemicals and certain drugs and food additives. Helps with the elimination of harmful heavy metals from the body.
The Daniel Fast 