Guidelines for a Daniel Fast

Basically, the Daniel fast is a partial fast that is based on a vegetarian diet. It drastically restricts normal food intake by avoiding many of the foods you commonly eat to satisfy your appetite. Daniel’s diet was a healthy one based on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and water. Along with fruits and vegetables you should include nuts, seeds, whole grains, brown rice, oats and barley. Legumes such as dried beans, peas and lentils are a part of this diet as well. Drinks should consist of water and 100% pure fruit and vegetable juice.

During your fast you will experience a sense of hunger much of the time. The specific details of your fast are between you and God. If you fast often or are already eating a healthy diet, you may need to choose an option that limits more foods. If this is your first fast, you might not be able to endure as many restrictions as someone else. A vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended to ensure you don’t miss out on any necessary nutrients. Anyone with a medical condition related to eating or under the treatment of a physician should consult their doctor. You should also consult your doctor and/or pharmacist about your medication while fasting. Children will have special needs that must be considered. You should consult with their pediatrician. You have the freedom to modify the Daniel fast according to your physical and spiritual needs as you feel led by the Lord. It is important that you decide ahead of time how you are going to apply the Daniel fast.

Foods To Eat:

· Whole Grains

o Brown Rice, Oats, Oatmeal, Barley, Whole Wheat Breads, Whole Wheat Pasta, Popcorn, Shredded Wheat, Cheerios

· Legumes

o Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas, Legumes

· Fruits (Preferably fresh or frozen)

o Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerine, Watermelon

· Vegetables (Preferably fresh or frozen)

o Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Soybeans, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, etc. Vegetables should be prepared without butter or cream sauce.

· Beverages

o Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices, Soy Milk, Rice Milk, Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea

· Others

o Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts, Natural Nut Butters such as Peanut, Cashew and Almond, Oil such as Olive, Canola, Corn

· Fruit Smoothies

o Frozen fruit such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries with soy milk and soy yogurt. Frozen fruit sorbet, 100 % fruit/juice bars.

Foods to Avoid:

· Meat, Poultry, Fish

· White rice

· Fried foods

· Caffeine

· Alcohol and wine

· Carbonated drinks including diet sodas

· Refined sugar

· Margarine, butter, shortening, high fat products, animal fat

· Sugar substitutes

· Sweets: cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, ice cream

· Snack foods: chips, pretzels, crackers

· Dairy foods: cheese, yogurt, milk

· Eggs

· No sweetened drinks/high fructose corn syrup

Option to the Daniel Fast

You may choose to include dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), eggs, fish and or poultry. Select the low fat versions of the dairy products and those made without sugar.