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.
If you want a print out of this list in brochure form to use yourself or share with others, please visit www.Daniel-Fast.com
The Daniel Fast – available at all local and online bookstores.
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 sweetenersincluding 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 food 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!
If you want recipes for 21 days with three meals and snack for each day, plus meal plans and great ideas for the Daniel Fast, consider The Daniel Fast Cookbook! Just $8.95, plus your purchase helps support this lay ministry and makes it possible for this blog to continue!
You can also see all the books by Susan Gregory at this link: Daniel Fast books
The Daniel Fast at www.Daniel-Fast.com
The work in Zimbabwe has been fulfilled. Thank you to all who participated!
The Daniel Fast 
Ps – I eat the honey almond flax kashi cereal… is that okay? I looked at the ingredients and it seemed all natural… so can I eat it as a dry snack?
Hello Ms Gregory
I went to my small group for graduate students in my church meeting today, and the leaders of the group invited us to join in on the Daniel Fast which they began today… so I would be a day behind. I have never done this before, so I am somewhat intimidated because I LOVE SWEETS… and having grown up without eating much fruit… and naturally not caring for vegetables…and being used to piling on the carbs… do you have any suggestions that will encourage me (I know prayer etc)…but like from your personal experience when you first started? My other question pertains to the use of olive or even canola oil… which I think I did not see a response to on this page… are those okay? cause I can not imagine eating veggies without sauteeing them in some way. And why do we exclude dairy?… cause I looked at my organic milk and everything is natural and the animal is not killed to obtain it… just curious.
Thank you so much.
And THIS WEBSITE is the BEST I have found especially for a newbee like myself
Hi Gwynda — sorry for the late response — I’m working through the pile 🙂
Stevia is one of those gray areas. It’s totally natural so it passes the “no chemical” part of the fast. But then we need to consider the “sweet” part of it. That’s where I think it’s up to the individual and how they see the Lord leading them. As you know, there is a lot of room for interpretation with the Daniel Fast, so it’s really an individual call about the Stevia.
Hi Haley,
I usually make my own salad dressings because most prepared dressings include sugar. However, there are a couple organic dressings made by Annie’s Naturals which do not have sugar or other “no no” ingredients. I like the red wine and olive oil vinaigrette and the goddess dressing. BTW red wine vinegar is the ingredient, not real red wine. 🙂
Also, you will find xanthan gum in many salad dressing recipes. It is a natural thickener and would not be considered a chemical like those we are to avoid.
Hi Linda,
Yes, I encourage you to print pages from the weblog. Thanks for asking!
Regarding the chick peas and and other dry or canned beans — yes, they are all good. Again, if you use canned beans, READ THE LABEL. Many food companies add sugar.
Your kids might like canned fruit. Most of the “lite” canned fruits are without sugar on only fruit in their own juice. So this can be a nice help.
Hi Emilee, the thing about ketchup is that it probably has sugar in it, even if it’s organic. The main this is READ THE LABEL. You will be doing a lot of that on the Daniel fast and my guess is that you will be surprised and at the number of products that include sugar in them.
God bless you on your fast!
We are starting the 21 day fast on the 9th, and are starting to prepare now. We were wondering if Ketchup is within the guidelines?
Oooh, I forgot to ask if it’s okay to print out peices of text like the recipies and lists of foods from this site? i\It will help me with my grocery list if i can, but don’t want to infringe.
I didn’t see Garbonzo beans or Chick Peas on the list, but can I assume that they fall under the “Bean/Lentil” category? Our church (EMIC) is starting a corporate 21 day fast on Thursday the 10th of January. Pastor said that along with foods that we should fast things that distract us from hearing God’s voice or things that are in the “I gotta have it or I can’t be nice to anyone!” Category. This website is going to be my guide to helping my family through those 21 days. Thanks for all the info.
What kind of salad dressing is okay to use during a Daniel Fast?
Hello…again….I meant to ask also if the natural sweetener….Stevia..
is allowed?…..thanks again…..Gwyn
Hi Susan
I am currently on the Daniel fast……Is honey allowed ?….
I have done this fast a few years but normally …I fast with water and fruits only……
Thank you for your answers……Gwyn Robertson
I noticed with two of the salads, that you say to remove the seeds out of the cucumbers and then slice. What is the reasoning behind this? I did it and did not even think about it until my daughter was over and questioned me. I had no answer and she ribbed me saying why do something and not know why.
So could you enlighten me?
Hi Alyssa,
Yes, soybeans and soymilk are acceptable to use in cooking and with your menus. This gets a little “gray,” but I would say Yes to soymilk for cooking and on cereal, but NO for a beverage since the Daniel Fast says “water only” for beveralges.
Hi Peggy,
Sorry, all coffee and tea are not included. That’s because the Daniel Fast is limited to “water only.” With that said, 100% fruit and vegetable juices are acceptable since they are only fruits, vegetables and water. Smoothies, using soy or rice milk are within the guidelines, but they are not considered beverages . . . instead are “liquid meals.”
Can you drink decaffeinated coffee?
Thank you, and I just thought of one last thing, sorry for the trouble. Are soy beans and soy milk okay as well?
Hi Alyssa,
Suppliments are medications are all within the guidelines.
I hope the very best for you and your church on the New Year fast.
First I want to take the time to thank you for your effort and support. Second, I am starting the 21-day fast with my entire church. I take certain pills everyday and one of them is Fish Oil and Multi Vitamins, are these okay to take in the Daniel Fast?
Hi Barry,
First I want to say that pain is not generally a part of fasting. It could be detoxing taking place. But seek the wisdom of the Lord. Number one, pray about the pain, speak to the healing powers in your body and tell them to get busy, but also . . . don’t jeopardize your health. If you sense you need a health providor’s care, please seek it.
I’ve been on the Daniel fast since Jan. 1. I’ve been having considerable pain in my lower back and moving down into both hips for the last 30 hours. Any ideas?
Hi Heather,
The Daniel Fast is just one of the ways to fast. If you and your husband have greater spiritual success fasting another way, then I would continue to fast in that manner. There is nothing powerful about the foods included or excluded. It’s the fact that you are consecrating your body, soul and spirit unto the Lord.
Regarding tap water? That really depends on the quality of your water. Most municiple water has lots of chemicals in it. Drinking it while fasting, expecially on a water only fast, can be dangerous to one’s system.
Finally, about the applesauce? READ THE LABEL. If it is sugar free and chemical free, than you are FREE to eat it 🙂
God bless you on your Daniel Fast.
What about tea and honey which are my normal fasting staples. Thanks KC
My husband and I and My Mother and Father and my sister are all on a daniel fast this month. I believe God is calling us to cutoff food addiction that is taking place of time with God.You rarely hear preachers preach a sermon on gluttonly. My husband is a Pastor and I have watched him be a good example of not being a glutton. I am doing the fast because I want to draw closer to the Lord and for food to loose it’s grip on my life. I grew up where food was comfort…now I want my Lord to be the only comfort. I am not overweight at all,but I still had the problem of some who choose food to comfort. I was just blessed with a higher metabolism. The church where my husband is one of the pastors…the main pastor spoke on the gluttony subject and I am so proud of him!Thank you for your information on the website…very helpful.
My husband and I started the fast on the 3rd, planning only to have fruits, veggies, and water. Then discovered that oatmeal, beans, and nuts are permitted, and so are including them- but it seems like that is much more enjoyable, and looking at your food list, there is quite a bit of yummy things! If we can eat all these things, then I don’t feel very deprived at all, and wonder if it is ok for me- are we still consecrating ourselves if it isn’t too much of a hardship? Also, have been drinking tap water and husband has had canned soup- (and what about applesauce?) do we have to start over? I’m not even sure he’d agree to be restricted to bottled water. Thanks so much!
Hi Mike.
Thanks for the question.
The Daniel Fast is water only (see Daniel 1). You can use juices in recipes or in smoothies (which are considered liquid breakfasts).
Hi. I belong to a church that says we are allowed only water and fruit or vegatable drinks that we make ourselves in a blender with only the fruits since even 100% all-natural juices still have additives somewhere in it. What is your belief on that?
Thank you very much and God Bless!
Hi Teri,
Daniel Fast “purists” forgo all sugars and sweeteners, whether natural or chemical.
Can we eat raw sugar
Sorry,Larry. No coffee or tea for that matter. Water only . . . and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juice.
Thousands are expected to fast in January, so we all might want to sell our Starbuck’s stocks! 🙂
Can you drink coffee on the fast?
Salt is totally acceptable on the Daniel Fast. Keep in mind that you need to get in a habit of reading labels. All prepared seasonings and seasonings salts should be sugar-free and chemical-free.
Thanks for your kinds words about the blog. I truly want to bless others!
I just wanted to inquire about seasoning such as salt and pepper. Another variation of the fast lists no salt, and I couldn’t really figure out why.
And PLEASE know that this site is SUCH a blessing!!!
I know “fats” are not part of the fast, however, I do note that olive oil is used. So that is an “ok” fat? Also is there any type of salad dressing that is ok to use on salads?
My husband and I are joining this fast on 1/6 – I know it’s not going to be an easy thing, but I’m so looking forward to what the Lord is going to do through it!
Hi Lynn,
I wrote a post titled “Youth, Special Diets, and the Daniel Fast.” Do a search on “special diets” and it should come up. I talk about diabetic needs in that post. It is totally possible to be on the Daniel Fast as a diabetic with just a few adjustments. I address that on the post I mentioned.
To search, just go to the top of this site and there is a search field on the left.
God bless you!
What if you are diabetic? I know you said those with health problems, but I would really like to try this.
Hi Terri,
I think the answer to your last question really answers the others. Yes, the Daniel Fast is open to interpretation. The Daniel Fast is based on Daniel 10:2, 3 and those verses are very vague. The Daniel Fast Food List has been developed over the last several years, but it’s not cast in stone. It is a guideline and there is nothing powerful in the foods that are eaten or not eaten. The power of the Daniel Fast is when an individual consecrates himself or herself to the Lord by setting a period of time for focused prayer and fasting.
With all that said, the reason bread is restricted is that leavened bread was often restricted in Jewish fasting. That’s why some people will eat flat bread during the fast and tortillas are also “allowed.” Fish? Again, most people on the Daniel Fast eat no meat, fish or poultry. That is based on the fast described in Daniel 1 when Daniel and his companions ate only vegetables and drank only water.
My advice is to pray about the fast and see how the Lord leads you. The fast is “unto the Lord” and should be free of any kind of legalism.
I hope this helps . . .
How do we know that Daniel meant all bread when he wrote “no pleasant bread”. I take this to mean pastry. I know that they didn’t have sweets as we know sweets as there wasn’t refined sugar, but wasn’t there honey, that they used to dip bread in? I’m using the King James New Open Bible. Does “no flesh” also include fish? My last question is, is the Daniel fast open to interpratation?
Hi Janet.
We don’t know what foods were available for sure. What we do know is that Daniel did not eat meat or delicacies and drank no wine for a 21 day period. So this is what we use as the model. The Daniel Fast Food List has been developed over many years. It’s a diet that is free from all chemicals and processed foods. It has no sugar or breads (delicacies) and no animal products.
The thing I try to stress to people is that there is no power in the foods eaten or not eaten. The power is in consecrating our body, soul and spirit unto the Lord for a focused time of prayer and fasting. The Word teaches us that when we draw near to the Lord that He will draw near to us. Setting this time apart for focused and more intense devotion to our Almighty God is what is much more important than the food list. So these are guidelines that serve well since they a foods that are good for our body and yet there is a level of restriction that provides the discipline element necessary for a fast.
How do you know all these fruits and vegetables were available in Daniels time.