Food to Eat on a Daniel Fast

Knowing the right food to eat on a Daniel diet fast is essential to the success of the Daniel diet. Those who chose this diet do not necessarily expect to achieve weight loss. Instead it is believed that spiritual enlightenment will be gained by adhering to this fast for the required 10 days.

The Story Behind the Fast

In the Bible, Daniel rejected the foods that the King of Babylon set before him. Likely, the meats were animals that had been sacrificed to idols and gods other than the God of Israel. Daniel and his three companions refused to pollute themselves with the King’s delicacies. The principal court official got worried that these young men would become weak. The King would not be happy with this because these young men, along with several other Israelite captives, had been hand selected as the best of them all. He wanted them trained to serve in the palace.

Eating these foods would mean defiling himself before his God, so Daniel requested that the court official give him and his companions a diet of “vegetables and water” for 10 days as a test. At the end of the 10 days they were in better health than the other captives who had been eating the rich food of the King. They went on to have very prominent positions in the King’s service.

What Food to Eat on a Daniel Diet Fast

Basically, this Daniel diet fast is a partial fast that is based on a vegan diet. A little research reveals that Daniel ate more than just “vegetables and water”. His diet was a healthy one based on whole foods and water. Here are some foods that are acceptable for those who decide to follow this diet:

Vegetables

Fruits

Other Foods

This fast offers more than most.

Along with fruits and vegetables you should include nuts and seeds, 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 distilled or spring water and 100 percent pure fruit or vegetable juice. A vitamin and mineral supplement is also recommended to assure that you don’t miss out on any necessary nutrients.

Foods to Avoid

There are a few foods that need to be avoided if you decide that this is a diet that you want to follow:

• Meat
• White rice
• White flour
• Fried foods
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Carbonated drinks
• Refined sugar or sugar substitutes
• Margarine
• Shortening
• Fats
• Foods with preservatives or additives

Ideally, a healthy diet will exclude many of these things anyhow. Some people may experience headaches due to withdrawals from caffeine and other products that their body is used to having. However, after these things are out of your system, you will likely feel better as your body enjoys natural, healthy foods free from chemicals and preservatives.