Daniel Fast Food List

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Follow this easy Daniel Fast food list so you can follow this radical eating plan.

The Daniel Fast is different from traditional water fasts and juice fasts in that it does allow certain foods. Described as a biblical approach to weight loss, this fast is meant to last for 21 days, and encourages followers to focus on the spiritual aspects of life rather than the physical ones. In addition to providing you with a complete Daniel Fast food list, we are offering a brief overview of the fast’s benefits.

If you’re following the Daniel Fast, then grab the Clutter Keeper Meal Planner to keep yourself organized. You can track your favorite recipes and write out your grocery lists, and more!

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What is the Daniel Fast?

Individuals, church groups, and bible study groups participate in the Daniel Fast, which is based on a combination of Jewish fasting principles and two prominent recollections of bible verses describing fasts undertaken by the Prophet Daniel. Participants are encouraged to read Daniel 1 and Daniel 10 for these accounts.

The fast allows foods grown from seed, including whole grains, vegetables, and fruits; in essence, it is a highly restricted vegan diet. Participants are encouraged to practice moderation with portion sizes, eating no more than three meals and two snacks per day, all made up of items from the Daniel Fast food list.

Daniel Fast Benefits

While the Daniel Fast is designed to offer its followers a spiritual retreat from physical concerns, it offers a number of health benefits. Weight loss is chief among these – and if you can keep the weight off by following a clean eating plan after the fast comes to a conclusion, then you’ll continue to enjoy the many benefits that accompany weight loss into the future.

  • Clearer thinking; less brain fog
  • Body detoxification
  • Eliminates dependence on caffeine and sugar
  • Clear, healthy skin
  • Hormonal balance
  • Better digestion
  • Less inflammation

Potential participants with health issues are advised to talk with their doctors before beginning major dietary changes including the Daniel Fast.

What to Avoid on the Daniel Fast

Because the Daniel Fast is all about focusing inward, most foods and beverages are avoided during the three-week fasting period. General categories are included here; it’s safe to assume that all foods that fall into these categories are off-limits for the duration of your fast.

  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Supplements containing caffeine
  • Tobacco products
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Alcohol
  • Soda
  • Diet soda
  • Sugar and sweeteners of any kind
  • Leavened breads and baked goods

It’s a good idea to stick to whole, single-ingredient foods while following the Daniel Fast. If for some reason you cannot do this, then be sure that you read labels on prepared foods to ensure that they are in compliance with the Daniel Fast food list. Many contain sweeteners and chemicals, along with animal-based additives like casein, whey, flavorings, and colors.

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The Daniel Fast Food List

What did Daniel eat during his fasts? No one can be completely sure; however, it is safe to assume that everything he ate was plant-based and unprocessed. Considering the fact that there are thousands of plant-based foods available, it is possible to enjoy quite a bit of variety during your time on the Daniel Fast.

Food lists vary slightly from one official site to the next, but guidelines are always the same: Focus on the spiritual aspects of life rather than putting food first. Use this list as a guideline to create your own boundaries, and you will emerge cleansed and spiritually strengthened.

Vegetables

  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Bean sprouts
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Celery root
  • Corn
  • Edamame
  • Eggplant
  • Garden cress
  • Garlic
  • Ginger root
  • Jerusalem artichokes
  • Kale
  • Lettuce, all types
  • Mushrooms, all types
  • Okra
  • Parsnips
  • Peppers, all types
  • Potatoes, preferably with skin
  • Radishes
  • Summer squash, all types
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips
  • Watercress
  • Winter squash, all types
  • Yams

Fruits

Fruits of all kinds, including fresh, frozen, and dried; canned fruits with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners are also acceptable.

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Bananas
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Boysenberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cherries
  • Cranberries
  • Dates
  • Figs
  • Gooseberries
  • Grapes
  • Grapefruit
  • Guavas
  • Kiwis
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Mulberries
  • Nectarines
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Pineapples
  • Plums
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Tangerines
  • Watermelon

Whole Grains

All whole grains are permitted. You may eat grain products, however, they must not contain leavening or sugar of any kind.

Nuts And Seeds

All nuts and seeds are acceptable. You can also eat nut butter, so long as it does not contain added sweeteners.

Legumes

All legumes are acceptable. Choose minimally processed items to keep your fast as clean as possible.

Oils

Many of the vitamins and minerals in vegetables are fat-soluble, so it’s a good idea add a small amount of high-quality oil to your food in order to get as much nutrition as possible.

Beverages

Water is the only beverage that is permitted during the Daniel Fast.

Pantry Items

Nut milks, herbs and spices, and a few other essentials keep you nourished throughout your time on the Daniel Fast.

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Tips for a Successful Daniel Fast


As with many things in life, the Daniel Fast is something that may be easier to complete with help from like-minded people. Less challenging than water-only fasting or juice fasting, this program is one that many people partake of more than once per year, and as a result there are active online communities as well as in-person church and bible study groups who fast together and support one another.

Consider fasting with a group or using online support, at least during your first three-week Daniel Fast. Once you know what to expect, you may opt to fast in solitude, or perhaps join with a spouse or a like-minded friend.

  • Know that the first few days of detox will be the most challenging, particularly if you are dependent on caffeine or sugar. You may find it easier to succeed if you spend the week before your fast eliminating addictive substances from your diet.
  • Drink water all day, and consider adding lemon to it for better flavor and to encourage continual sipping. Water flushes toxins from your body and keeps you feeling full.
  • If you break your fast, look inward to determine what caused you to be tempted. Get back on your fast right away, but don’t worry about starting over unless you feel that this is the proper course of action to take.

When the Daniel Fast comes to an end, your system will be completely clean and detoxed. It’s important to recognize that introducing old favorites like fatty meat and dairy will tax your system, possibly leading to discomfort. Reintroduce food slowly and listen to what your body is telling you. Now that you’ve cleaned out the chemicals, do you really want to let them back into your system?

The Daniel Fast comes with literature and support that helps you along each step of the way including before, during, and after the fast. Take advantage of it and choose health: Your body – and your spirit – will thank you!

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