The Daniel Fast is an opportunity for you to draw closer to God through fervent, focused prayer. It involves a 21-day commitment to a partial fast, which means you restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to the Lord.
The Daniel Fast is not a diet, although some people do lose weight as they make healthier food choices. The Daniel Fast is a unique, life-changing experience. Participating in the Daniel Fast can result in many wonderful spiritual and physical benefits (read my blog post, “Side Effects on the Daniel Fast,” for more information).
You may be wondering, Where did the Daniel Fast originate? That’s a great question. The Daniel Fast was first observed by the prophet Daniel in the Bible. Scripture gives us some insight (such as in Dan. 10:3) into what Daniel ate and didn’t eat; however, we don’t know his complete menu. On one occasion, Daniel was greatly concerned for his people and sought the Lord’s wisdom during a time of prayer and fasting.
“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips (Dan. 10:2-3).
Most commentaries believe “choice food” would have been bread and sweets. The Message paraphrase sums up Daniel’s eating habits during that time: “I ate only plain and simple food.”
You’ll find some variation in the specific guidelines for the modern-day Daniel Fast, as far as what foods are included and which ones are restricted. The intention of the modern-day Daniel Fast is not to duplicate exactly what Daniel did but the spirit in which he did it. Daniel’s passion for the Lord caused him to hunger and thirst more for spiritual food than for physical food, which should be the desire of anyone choosing to participate in this type of fast.
Try not to get too hung up on food portion of the fast. The guidelines are given to help you form boundaries, not to push you into legalism. Your fast may look a little different than someone else’s, and that’s fine. Some people may need to be stricter than others in their food choices so that their fast is a sacrifice for them. The most important part of the Daniel Fast is that you deny yourself physically so that you may seek the Lord in prayer and grow closer to Him.
For more information on what foods to eat and what to avoid, see my Daniel Fast Food List
Can you please email me the Daniel fast, with list of food to eat and not to eat. Thank you,,, and I totally agree it’s a fast of sacrifice to the Lord to draw closer to him thanks again.
Hi, Judy! Here is the link: Daniel Fast Food List.
Thank you
This is great website, very informative and easy to follow. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! Thanks for your feedback.
When does one start the Daniel fast?
Hi, Tonya. You can start anytime.
Hi! I just wanted to know how to register and sign up for the Daniel fast 2024
Hi, Shawnetta! Thanks for your interest in being a part of the Daniel Fast in 2024. Information will be posted by December 1 and possibly the week before.
What time should I eat when doing a Daniel’s fast? or I can eat anytime as long as its vegies? hehe
Hi. Great question. See #14 and #15 on my FAQs page.
Since we are in the age of plant-based products which identify as meat-substitutes, will this be allowed?
Great question, Will. See #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
This is helpful and educating.
I have a question I would like to ask. Can almond and peanut butter, and potatoes, lemon ginger tea be used on the Daniel fast? Thank you.
Hi, Maria! Yes, almond and peanut butter are great to have on the fast (without added sugar). Potatoes are OK as well (all vegetables are). As far as tea, see #2 under “Beverages” on my FAQs page.
Thank you Kristen for responding to my questions much appreciate it.
You’re welcome!
Just curious if decaf coffee is allowed?
Great question! Even decaf coffee usually contains caffeine, so it’s not part of the fast. That being said, some people may choose to include decaf. It’s really a personal decision.
Shalom and “Thanks and Glory” be unto GOD for this 2022 Daniel Fast.
Hello. I would like to join the 2022 fast. Do I need to register??
Hi, Julie! No registration is needed this year. However, if you’re on Facebook, you can join the Ultimate Daniel Fast group for support and encouragement.
Hi kristen, so I know homemade lentil soup is okay to eat however im eating for one so its hard with my house hold. I got a can of lentil soup from the store it says no added sugars but on the ingredients it says it has organic cane sugar is this okay?
Great question. Unfortunately, products with any form of sugar aren’t part of the fast. One store-bought lentil soup that IS fine to have on the fast is Amy’s Lentil Soup. It’s pretty good! Another option is to make your own. Here’s a recipe you might want to try: Lentil-Vegetable Soup.
Hi,the biggest problem I have when doing this fast is finding a good salad dressing. Everything good has vinegar in it. Other than being fermented why is it off limits?
Hi, Tony! Great question. Yes, it can be challenging to find store-bought dressings that are Daniel Fast friendly. Have you checked out my Salads/Salad Dressings page? You might find a dressing that you like. Also, the vinegar issue is addressed on my FAQs page. See #8 under “Food.”
THIS GREAT! YOUR SITE IS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND! GOD BLESS YOU! THANKS! BRO. JIM
Thanks for your feedback! You’re welcome. 🙂
Hi Kirsten, are you on the Daniel fast long term? Is it safe and/or healthy to maintain this diet as a lifestyle?
Hi, Joanne! Although I do eat mostly according to the Daniel Fast guidelines year round, I do add some restricted items when I’m not on the fast. And, yes, many people do choose to continue this eating plan long-term because it IS a healthy way to live. Great question!
Some people say that you should only eat from 7am-7pm during the fast and then fast the rest of the night until bedtime. Is there a reason for this? Is this a common practice on the fast?
Hi, Charlotte! There isn’t a set schedule for praying or fasting. See #14 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Yes, 100% juices are fine to use on the fast (pasteurized is acceptable, too).
Greetings Kristen Feola! I would like to know if it’s acceptable to eat cereal and wheat tortillas while on the Daniel fast.
I hope you have a safe day/night!
Jesus Bless you!
Hello! Only whole grain products are allowed on the Daniel Fast. So, if you can find cereal that’s whole grain and doesn’t contain added sugar (check ingredients), then it should be fine. Tortillas can be corn or whole grain (including whole wheat).
Yes ma’am! Thank you for your response! Jesus Bless you!😊
Hi, Can plantain, yam and sweet potatoes be eaten on the daniel fast?
Yes. All fruits and vegetables are allowed.
Can you have whole wheat bread?
Hi! Great question. Yeast isn’t part of the Daniel Fast (see #1 under “Food” on my FAQs page), so the only bread you can have is whole grain flatbread (here’s a recipe for you: Flatbread).
I am curious about crackers and see than Nut thins brand crackers have potato starch. Is this acceptable during the fast? Thank you!
Angie
Hi, Angela. Great question. Crackers on the Daniel Fast should be baked, and I believe Nut Thins are. As far as potato starch, in my opinion, it would be an acceptable ingredient.
Hi, I was wondering if I could bake with chickpea flour? I wanted to make a vegan quiche or a spinach, mushroom pie.
Yes, chickpea flour is allowed. 🙂 Go for it!
Hi,
I am in need of clarification. Are we fasting on Sundays during Lent as well as the other days? If not, what does Sunday eating look like during the Lenten season. Does this mean I could have fish on Sundays?
Hi, Paula! That’s a great question. It’s really up to you and how you decide to fast. Some people will choose to do a Daniel Fast the whole Lenten period. Others might go a different route and allow themselves fish. Most importantly, I would advise you to pray about what your fast should look like and then trust God to help you complete it.
Hi! My name is Ncane, I am fifty seven years old. I started the Daniel’s fast on Saturday and now I find that I don’t get enough with eating only vegetables per day. You see I have sugar diabetes and depression, so, I’m taking a lot of medication. I was wondering if I could take skinned fish sometimes and some chicken breast fillets to add to the vegies just to regain some energy
Hi, Ncane! You are certainly free to modify the fast. It’s really a personal decision. The most important thing is that you’re seeking God during this time. He can give you wisdom on what the food portion of your fast should look like.
Hi. I was wondering if any jellies, jams, or preserves were allowed as well as apple sauce.
Hi! Unsweetened applesauce is fine. Any jelly or jam should be 100% fruit (no sugar added).
GM …. just re-affirming from a previous email that Nabisco’s ‘Original’ only Triscuit crackers are allowed . Thanks and blessings.
The only Triscuit crackers I know that are Daniel Fast friendly are the ones that are baked and only contain whole wheat flour, oil, and salt. I believe they’re the Original Triscuits.
Thanks for all of this information!
You’re welcome!
Hi;
Thanks so much for the breakdown of the Daniel fast. I started one yesterday. In reading your information, I feel better prepared and informed, so thanks for sharing. I do have a question, is peanut butter allowed? I would like to put it on my apples. Thanks
I’m glad you’ve been helped by the resources on my website. 🙂 Yes, all-natural peanut butter is allowed (shouldn’t have “sugar” listed in the ingredients).
Thank you so much for this guide and the questions and responses. Are potatoes allowed?
You’re welcome! Yes, all vegetables are allowed, including potatoes.
When I first began the Daniel Fast, I tended to be quite legalistic about all the food guidelines. However, I’ve learned better. Following is my stance on herbal tea (including fruit tea):
“The main reason teas (even herbal) are restricted is based upon Daniel’s example in the Bible and the fact that he drank only water during his fasts (Daniel 1:12 and 10:3). For some people, having tea is a daily treat, so they may choose to give it up for a period of fasting as a sacrifice to the Lord. Perhaps this is not the case for you and maybe you might choose to include herbal tea on your fast.
The Daniel Fast guidelines are meant to help provide boundaries. However, they are not meant to cause legalism so that you are overly focused on what to eat and what not to eat. That would negate the whole point of drawing near to God. The goal is to eliminate foods that will give you a sense of self-denial and sacrifice. I would encourage you to pray about what sacrifices God is asking you to make on your fast and if herbal tea is one of them.”
I hope this information helps. The Lord will guide you.
I checked but I did not see info about salt and spices. Are they allowed
Sorry, I found it 🙂
No problem! Thanks for checking.
Hi, Danny! Yes, they are.
Is vinegar allowed?
Hi, Kathy! Thanks so much for your question. See #5 under “Food” on my FAQs page for the answer. 🙂
I am going to be doing the Daniel Fast for Lent this year that will be from March 6th (Ash Wednesday) until April 21st (Easter). I have been researching the Daniel Diet and purchased your book to guide me. My only concern is inconsistency with oils and honey. There are several that say “no oil” and then others that say “quality oils such as olive or coconut” are okay. Also, the use of honey in some is okay but in others its a no,no. I can understand the “no oils” becasue I dont’ think Daniel cooked with it, but no honey doesn’t make sense it would be more readily available in that time period then oils. Can you clarify how foods are decided “okay” with the Daniel diet?
Hi, Tony! Thank you for purchasing The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. I pray it’s a blessing to you! Your questions are good ones. You’ll definitely find some variations on the food guidelines for the fast. Even though we can’t know exactly what Daniel ate (and what he didn’t), we do know that he abstained from meat, wine, and “choice” foods. Most scholars agree choice foods would have included breads and sweets. Our modern-day Daniel Fast is based upon Daniel’s fasting example, so that’s why sugars are not allowed (added sugars include honey, brown rice syrup, molasses, etc.). The food guidelines are to help you set the parameters for your fast. But we don’t want to become so legalistic that we miss the whole purpose of the fast. Some foods aren’t as black and white, so it really becomes a matter of personal conviction. If you feel that having oils would violate your conscience in any way (you feel like you’d be cheating), then, by all means, don’t include oil on your fast! I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom. He will show you what YOUR fast should look like. I hope this information helps, Tony. May God bless you abundantly as you seek Him!
Can we have Stevia? Also, can we have Almond milk yogurt or Coconut milk yogurt (plain)? The yogurt contains either rice flour or another has corn starch. Thank you.
Unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk are allowed if the ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly. Any flour should be whole grain, so if the coconut yogurt contains rice flour, it’s probably white rice flour, which isn’t a part of the fast. The almond milk should be fine as long as it’s unsweetened.
Hi Kristen,
Im starting the fast next week and I was wondering turmeric latte is allowed? I drink one just about everyday for enjoyment and health purposes. Should I stop? I’d love to hear your thoughts. TIA! God bless you 🙂
Turmeric is allowed. What ingredients are in a turmeric latte?
It’s a cup of oat milk with a tsp is turmeric and cinnamon.
Thank you for the quick response!
Hi, Paula! Yes, oat milk is allowed (unsweetened), so this drink is Daniel Fast friendly. Yay!
To answer your question about stevia, it’s one of those foods that can go either way because it’s plant based. Some people choose to eliminate any form of added sugar, but others choose to use stevia. It really becomes a matter of personal conviction.
I am on day 2 of my fast and it has been pretty smooth. I already eat healthy so just eliminating meat and a few sugar based products is a breeze. I have found that your information is my guidance to this journey I am on and i really appreciate the help. Keep up the good work and I am looking forward to completing this journey and get what i seek out of it.
Hi, George! Thanks for your feedback. I’m glad to hear your fast is going well so far. May God continue to strengthen you and bless you on your 21-day journey!
Is canola oil o.k. for cooking popcorn & vegetables? (Organic milk and canned veggies have a high sodium content!)
Thanks for your ministry.
Hi! Canola oil is allowed, although I’m not a fan of it. I’ve read some negative information about canola oil. I use olive oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil.