On the Daniel Fast, you eat plant-based meals that are nutritious and delicious, while setting aside other foods as an act of worship and sacrifice to the Lord.
The following list explains the categories of foods to eat and foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast. However, keep in mind that not every item may be listed here. If you have questions about a particular food, check out my FAQs page to see if your answer is there.
(For more information on the fast, see About the Daniel Fast.)
FOODS TO EAT ON THE DANIEL FAST
Amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.
Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas.
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts (actually legumes but people think of them as nuts), pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds.
All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned).
All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). However, any dried fruit shouldn’t contain added sugar (check ingredients to be sure).
Oils (such as coconut, olive, and sesame, for example) are allowed but should be used minimally. For example, you can sauté foods in olive oil but avoid deep-frying them.
- Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives
- All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper.
- Soy products (such as edamame and soy nuts) and tofu are acceptable.
Water should be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed as well. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don’t overdo it). You can also use 100% fruit juice in recipes. Also, unsweetened non-dairy milk is acceptable (such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk).
FOODS TO avoid ON THE DANIEL FAST
- Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey).
- Dairy (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt)
- Fish
- Eggs
Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar.
Yeast and, therefore, leavened bread isn’t part of the Daniel Fast. (For an explanation on why it’s excluded, see #1 under “Food” on my FAQs page.)
White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm.
Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.
Examples are corn chips, French fries, and potato chips. (Baked chips are acceptable if they don’t contain restricted ingredients. Check the label for “baked” to be sure.)
Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.
Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.
Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
DONATE TO THE MINISTRY
Is un condensed orange juice ok? Jasmine white rice?
Hi! Orange juice that is 100% fruit juice is fine. Jasmine white rice is not Daniel Fast friendly. Only whole-grain rice is allowed. Great questions!
Hi can you have oatmeal?
Yes, as long as you don’t have any added sugar.
Is Stevia allowed?
Hi, Laura! I apologize for the late response. Your message just came through today. See #10 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
No sweetners of any kind
Can I have canned vegetables or fruits with preservatives?
Great question, Patrick! Yes, some preservatives are considered to be “natural” and are acceptable, such as citric acid. Natural preservatives are ingredients that are found in nature and can — without artificial processing or synthesis with other substances — prevent products from spoiling prematurely.
Hello, is Oreo cereal with almond milk allowed?
Unsweetened almond milk is fine to have. Oreo cereal is not! 🙂
Thank you
What about plant based items, are those acceptable on a daniel fast?
Hi, Keith! Great question. See #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Hi,
What brand of breads do you recommend?
Thank you
Hi, Gina! Unleavened bread is the only type that’s allowed on the fast. I find that it’s very difficult to find a store-bought bread that’s completely Daniel Fast friendly. You can always make your own. Here’s a Flatbread recipe, if you’d like to try it.
Hey, can I eat garlic naan?
Hi, Ashley! Great question. All bread on the fast should be unleavened and all ingredients should be Daniel Fast friendly (whole-grain flour, no sugar, etc.). Unfortunately, Naan bread isn’t part of the Daniel Fast.
Is Coconut Cream okay? Trying to make a dairy free icecream with natural ingredients
Yes, it’s fine to have.
Hi! I do Daniel fast every year, this year I am pregnant though. Is Daniel fast something I can still do and it still be giving the baby everything he/she will need ?
Hi, Brianna! Great question. See #5 under “Misc” on my FAQs page.
Can you eat baked chips
Yes, baked chips are acceptable as long as all ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly.
Can you have monk fruit sweetener?
Hi, Rae! On the Daniel Fast, any added sugar or sweetener is restricted. However, some people may choose to include plant-based sweeteners, such as stevia. I believe monk fruit would fall into that category. It’s up to you whether or not to include it in your fast. Good question!
Can Tapioca flour be used in recipes?
Tapioca flour comes from the cassava root. Whether or not to use it on your fast is up to you. Many people do. Good question!
Can I eat non-dairy yogurt during the fast?
Yes, as long as all the other ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly (shouldn’t have added sugar in ingredients, for example).
Can I have a drink called ROMA?
Hi, Melody! Great question. It looks like Roma is OK to have on the fast. Good news for you, I’m sure! 🙂
Thank you!!
I was wondering if kimchi is allowed?
Good question. Since sugar is required for the fermentation process, kimchi isn’t Daniel Fast friendly. 🙁 Sorry!
Good evening I want to know on on things that we should consume is peanut butter part of the things we should also consume
Thank-you
Yes, you can have peanut butter that doesn’t have “sugar” in the ingredients. Look for all-natural peanut butter.
Do you have information on how to break the fast safely?
Yes. The best way is to reintroduce foods slowly. For example, you want to have smaller portions of the restricted foods (not eating a large steak or greasy hamburger). Give your body time to adjust. If you overdo it, you probably won’t feel well at all.
I like this book very much. I thank you Kristen for your guidance. On Ash Wednesday I was able to do an absolute fast. I started my fasting yesterday and will do it for the 40 days of Lent with your book. I carry it with me. I also have the audible version.
Hi, Carmen! Thank you so much for your comments and kind words. May the Lord bless you richly as you seek him during Lent and throughout the year!
So grateful for your continued presence in these discussions and all the amazing recipes. I fasted before Thanksgiving 2019 and the flatbread recipe and (altered to my tastes) sweet potato, legumes, greens and nuts bowl one carried me through those 3 weeks! I’m sat with a sweet potato bowl now and looking into making more of these recipes, especially for snack time. I’m grateful both that I’m more prepared in general this time (knowing what I’m getting into!!) and that I knew this resource existed to help me along.
Thank you, thank you, for your years of support, your responsiveness to comments, and for the wonderful resources in general. God bless you during this Lenten season!
Thank YOU so much for your comments and kind words! 🙂 I’m grateful for your continued commitment to the Lord and to prayer.
What about DAVE’S BREAD PRODUCTS
Great question. While Dave’s products are healthy, they do contain yeast and sugar, both of which aren’t part of the Daniel Fast.
Hello could I eat the tortilla with my food ? Or that’s still considered bread ?
Yes, you can have whole-grain or corn tortillas on the fast (make sure they don’t contain yeast, though).
Can I eat fried rice on the Daniel Fast
Hi, Amy! Great question. Deep-fried foods should be avoided on the fast, but you can cook rice in a little oil.
Around when lent come am start my fast am do 40 days and 40 nights pray 🙏🙌 for me
May the Lord fill you with strength during your fast as you draw near to him.
Hi. Just started the Daniel fast. Are veg curries okay to eat?
And is basmati brown rice acceptable?
Hi, Jade! Yes, vegetables with curry are allowed. Just make sure all ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly. Also, yes, brown basmati is fine. Thanks for your questions!
Thank you🌹
You’re welcome.
Can I use organic food from Xtralarge food, such as: Wondermeal, Beans Flour, ponded yam flour, plantain flour, to break my Daniel fast?
Yes, you can certainly include those items when breaking your fast.
This is amazing and very interesting.
This is my first time to read about Daniel Fast. I have learned a lot and I still want to know more about Daniel Fast.
Prayer and fasting is very good to build us up spiritually. But at 62, my body reacts a lot when I am fasting.
At times, I will break it halfway.
Thank you for Daniel Fast which I believe will help me a lot in my private prayer and fasting.
God bless you all for this idea.
Highly inspiring.
I’m glad you’re learning about the Daniel Fast. Thanks for your feedback!
Hello. Thanks you so much for your website. I would like to know what about unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter and spreads like avocado and hummus? Can we have them? Thanks
Hi, Jenna. Yes, you can have peanut butter, avocado, and hummus. All are staples on the Daniel Fast! 🙂
Hello, thank you for your reply. It s difficult to have dried fruits without sulphur dioxide in my country and sometimes without sugar. Is it ok if it is the only dried fruits available to me with sulphur dioxide or potassium sorbate. Also, a lot of times it is not mentioned if the dried fruits is without sugar. If it is not mentioned how would i know. I can only have dates and raisins that I’m sure has no sugar added as per package.
Hi, Jenna. I understand your dilemma with dried fruit. It’s really a matter of conviction and is between you and the Lord. I believe he will give you wisdom about what to do. The most important part of the fast is growing closer to God through prayer. The food is really secondary. 🙂
Can I eat a Vegan foods
Hi, Sandy. Great question. See #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
There are these prepackaged meals I believe are new. They are called Organic Everyday Dal meals by Maya Kaimal. I have one that is red lentil butternut squash and coconut, and the other package is kidney bean, carrot, tamarind. All of the ingredients are completely organic and DF acceptable, organically grown and packaged, only coconut oil and sunflower oil was used. It seems entirely DF-friendly. Would the fact that it’s already prepackaged be “cheating” in a sense, even though the ingredients are acceptable and it’s not processed. It does also say “Organically grown and processed”
Hi, Mia! That’s a great question. Personally, I don’t see it as cheating at all, although about 10 years ago I would have answered differently. 🙂 While it’s ideal to avoid processed food on the fast, it’s often not practical or possible, especially for people who work full-time. Whether or not to use packaged vegan products on the Daniel Fast is a personal decision. See #2 under “Food” on my FAQs page for more information on this issue.
How about someone who takes a lot of medicine How will that work out
Hi, Angela! You can/should still take your medicine on the fast.
Hi, your website has helped me so much, your recipes are great. I have a question, do you break fast on the 21st day or the day after? And what would be the best way to ease yourself out of it?
Thank you so much, Sunette, for your feedback! Your question about breaking the fast is a good one. Some people break it on the evening of Day 21, while others wait until breakfast of Day 22. It’s up to you. As far as breaking the fast, I find that it’s best to have small amounts of the foods you haven’t had for 21 days. While it may be tempted to have a burger and fries, for example, your stomach might not appreciate it. 🙂
Can you have soups
Yes, absolutely! See my Soups recipes for ideas.
Thank you.
Hi Kristen.
Thank you so much for your useful website.
I would like to know why i can’t use natural sugar?
Also i would know about drink tea…
Hi, Evan! Thanks for your comments. You can find additional information about tea on my FAQs page (#2 under “Beverages). Also, added sugar in any form isn’t part of the fast (honey, maple syrup, etc.), simply because of the prophet Daniel’s example. Here is a brief excerpt from my About the Fast page that will help:
“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.”
How many times a day do you eat in the danel fast
Great question! See #14 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Hi. I am on day 15 of my Daniel’s fast and i have been strictly eating fruits. I feel I need something salty in my tongue. Is it safe to eat tin baked beans & tin peas?
Hi, Flo! You can certainly have both baked beans and peas, as long as the ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly. Also, is there a reason why you’re only doing fruit? Just curious!
Hi Kristen. Thank you for your reply. I saw the can ingredients had some added things like tomato sauce and cane sugar so I decided against having the KOO Baked Beans.
To answer your question about opting for only fruit, I believe I have an addiction to food hence I am overweight. My fear was that if I were to cook a dish made up of veggies with say brown rice, there was a risk that my portions would be a big as they used to prior to the fast. So i decided to stock up on fruits (Bananas mostly) and have about 4 fruits a day and water. It worked out quite well by God’s grace for 2 whole weeks until my tongue just craved something difference (salty) Lol
Hi, thank you so much for the guideline
Can I eat kettle-cooked potato chips?
Chips on the fast should be baked, not fried and not kettle-cooked (contain higher oil content).
Can I drink Topo Chico’s?
Yes, mineral water is fine to have on the Daniel Fast.
Hello,
I would to know if I can do a powder protein drink vegan no sugar but the flavors is chocolate ?
Hi! Great question. See my blog post, Protein Powder on the Daniel Fast, for guidance.
Items that have sugar alcohols in ingredients. Is it Daniel Fast?
No.
What type of beveriges are there see i cant have those milks is regular milk fine i cant have soy alomond and cocanut milk.
Yes, you can have unsweetened almond, soy, coconut, rice milk, etc. Regular milk is not Daniel Fast friendly (animal products aren’t allowed).
Hi there, Can I have DECAFE tea in Daniel Fast?
Hi! Great question. See #2 under “Beverages” on my FAQs page.
Hi, thanks a lot for an amazing blog. Doing the Daniel fast for the first time and this has been such a guideline !!God bless you. Please can I use mustard in my food? Can I use the pearl barley the one that has been polished? Finally,can I use balsamic vinegar? Regards
Hi, Rachel! Thanks for your kind comments about my website. I’m proud of you for doing the fast! Whole-grain barley is fine; however, pearl barley (that has been polished) does not have the bran layer, so it’s not. As far as your questions re: mustard and balsamic vinegar, see #8 and #21 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
If it has mixed tocopherols in the ingredients is that okay?
Yes, that is fine because mixed tocopherols are a combination of different sources of Vitamin E.
Is the ingredients “yellow corn mesa flour” okay?
Yes, it’s fine to have.
Can you have green tea?
Hi, Jess. Great question. See #2 under “Beverages” on my FAQs page.
Thank You!
Is cassava flour okay to break Daniel fast
Yes.
To break Daniel Fast?
I would think you can eat anything after breaking the Daniel fast
Hi can I eat baked French fries on this fast?
Yes, you can. Here’s a similar recipe you might want to try: Baked Potato Chips (you can cut them like fries, if you like).
I started my fast on the 10th of this month, does that mean that it ends tomorrow (on day 21), or do I finish out that whole day and break it Tuesday morning (Feb1)? Or do I break it tomorrow morning?
Hi, Ashley! Great question. Some people choose to break their fast on the evening of the 21st day, while others wait until the morning of the 22nd. It’s really up to you. Congratulations on finishing strong!
Amazing resource! I have a protein powder called ka’chava. I was wondering if that would be Daniel fast friendly? Thank you for any help!
Yes, it looks like it is (except for the chocolate flavored one).
Thank you so much!