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FASTING

The different types and explaining the Daniel Fast

Fasting is a natural discipline that can bring supernatural results. And, Fasting works when nothing else will. Moses, Elijah, Esther, Ezra, Job, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul even Jesus…fasted. The Bible is filled with more than 70 references to fasting, but over the last several decades fasting has disappeared from the church and is only beginning to make a resurgence today.

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What is a fast?

Fasting is abstaining from something like food, drink or entertainment for a period of time to create some type of benefit in body, mind or spirit.

There are many types of fasts which include:

-Standard Fast (water only)
-Absolute Fast (No water or food)
-Partial Fast (restrict certain food and drink categories)
-Intermittent Fast (Only eat during small daily window, for example: 1pm-6pm)

There are many variations of these fasts, and there are spiritual benefits of all of these, when we are able to devote the time spent eating to focus on God and serving others.

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What is a Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast referenced in the Bible, particularly in two sections of the Book of Daniel:

      Daniel 1:12, which states, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables [pulses] to eat and water to drink.”

      Daniel 10: 1-2, which says, “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.”​

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Daniel Fast: Food List

According to our understanding of the Hebrew definition of “pulse” that was used in the verse for vegetables can actually mean a range of foods. Here is the Daniel Fast Food List of what you are allowed to eat:

BEVERAGES

  • Water only-must be purified/filtered and spring or distilled water is best.

  • Homemade Almond milk, coconut water, coconut kefir and vegetable juice

VEGETABLES (should form the basis of the diet)

  • Fresh or cooked

  • May be frozen and cooked but not canned

FRUITS (consume in moderation 1-3 servings daily)

  • Fresh and cooked

  • May be dried like raisins or apricots (no sulfites or added oils or sweeteners)

  • May be frozen but not canned

WHOLE GRAINS (consume in moderation and ideally sprouted)

  • Brown Rice, Quinoa, Millet, Amaranth, Buckwheat, Barley cooked in water

  • No Wheat, ezekiel bread, others bread, flours, or pasta

BEANS & LEGUMES (consume in moderation)

  • Dried and cooked in water

  • May be consumed from can as long as no salt or other additives are contained and the only ingredients are beans and water

NUTS & SEEDS (sprouted are best)

  • Raw, sprouted or dry roasted (no salt added)
     

FOODS TO AVOID

On the Daniel Fast, you should not consume any of the other foods or beverages listed below. And, we want to mention that on the Daniel Fast some allow sea salt or himalayan salt and others do not. Our recommendation is to only use a bit of sea salt when necessary in flavoring dishes. Here are foods you definitely want to refrain from eating:

  • Iodized Salt

  • Sweeteners

  • Meat

  • Dairy products

  • Breads, pasta, flour, crackers, cookies

  • Oils

  • Juices

  • Coffee

  • Energy drinks

  • Gum

  • Mints

  • Candy

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Fasting Benefits

There are numerous benefits to Daniel-type fasting, but it all starts with an inward, spiritual motivation.

“This is the fast that I have chosen…to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth.” – Isaiah 58:6

Look at these incredible benefits of Fasting!

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1. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

  • Fasting brings you closer to God

  • Fasting makes you more sensitive to God’s voice

  • Fasting helps break addictions

  • Fasting shows us our weakness and allows us to rely on God’s strength

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2. Mental & Emotional Benefits of Fasting

  • Fasting relieves anxiety and nervousness

  • Fasting can increase peace and shalom

  • Fasting clears your mind of negative thoughts & feelings

  • Fasting decreases brain fog

  • Fasting helps increase your ability to trust God

  • Fasting clears out toxins that can make you feel sluggish or depressed

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3. Physical Benefits of Fasting

  • Fasting helps break addictions to sugar

  • Fasting supports the body’s detoxification

  • Fasting promotes healthy weight Loss

  • Fasting promoted healthy energy Levels

  • Fasting improves skin health

  • Fasting promotes healthy digestion and elimination

  • Fasting supports healthy inflammation response and promotes joint comfort

  • Fasting promotes healthy hormonal balance

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Daniel Fast Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ LIST):

First off, if you are pregnant or a nursing mother or are on a special diet of any sort for health reasons, then you should not go on the Daniel Fast without the approval of your primary healthcare professional.

Otherwise, here are some frequently asked questions you may want to know about.

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1. What about prepared foods?
Read the labels of all prepared foods. Remember the Daniel Fast is sugar free and chemical
free. That is why we suggest organic, fresh or frozen foods.

2. What about pasta?
Make sure the label says whole grain or vegetable-based pasta like quinoa, black bean or brown rice with no additives or sugar. But, the diet should consist mostly of vegetables and fruits.

3. What about roasted nuts?
Try to stick to organic, raw, unsalted nuts and/or soaked or sprouted ones. These are harder to find, so if you have to choose roasted nuts, then get plain roasted, unsalted nuts with no preservatives.

4. How do I get enough protein in my diet while on the fast?
Protein-rich foods allowed on the Daniel Fast are almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas and some whole grains. Be sure you eat plenty of those.

5. What about salad dressing?
Salads are great on the Daniel Fast. Use olive oil and lemon or lime as salad dressing options.

6. Do I need to eat organic foods while on the fast?
You don’t have to eat organic, but choosing them keeps toxins out of your foods, meaning no use of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics or pesticides.

7. Can I go out to eat?
Yes; you can. Just make sure what you get is compliant with the Daniel Fast, such as a salad with olive oil and a baked potato with no extras on it.

8. What about bread?
If you eat bread, then only a sprouted or sourdough bread that comes from ancient grains.

9. How much can I eat?
As long as your food choices fit the Daniel Fast, then you can eat all and as often as you want until you are satisfied!

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Thank you to Dr. Josh Axe for this information on The Daniel Fast

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