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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.
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Can you have soy sauce?
Hi, Karlie! Please see #12 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
can you gave corn tortillas
Yes.
What about avocado oil?
Yes.
Spelt four acceptable?
Yes.
What stuffing is allowed on Daniels Fast?
If you can make stuffing with unleavened bread and all the other ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly, then I suppose it’s fine! 🙂
But no butter, right?
Correct!
Can we have vanilla extract?
You can use alcohol-free vanilla extract, vanilla bean, or vanilla powder. Regular vanilla extract and paste are excluded because of the alcohol content.
What is considered processed food? I would consider unleavened bread to technically be processed so I was just looking for clarity on the “processed” definition for this fast. Thank you!
Hi, Brian. The official definition of processed foods is foods that have been changed from their original state. That being said, much of the food we eat today, especially in the United States, falls into that category. The goal on the fast is to avoid foods that contain additives, preservatives, chemicals, etc. and to eat as healthy as possible. Obviously, if you make your own unleavened bread (Flatbread), it’s most likely going to be better for you than buying bread that has been packaged. I encourage people to do their best in this situation. However, each person’s fast is not going to look exactly the same, and that’s OK. I hope this information helps. Thanks for your question!
What about vegan butter
Hi, Nicole. Please see #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.FAQ
Are we allowed date syrup?
Hi, Nicole. Some people may choose to include date syrup or use Date Honey, since it’s made from dates and water. The choice is up to you as to what YOUR fast should look like. Good question!
Can air-fried tater tots be eaten during the fast?
Hi, James. Yes, that would be fine to have on the fast.
Thank you so much 👍🏾
am i able to eat tortias?
You can have whole-grain tortillas (such as brown rice), but regular flour tortillas aren’t Daniel Fast friendly. Other options are: almond flour and chickpea flour tortillas. I’m sure there are others, but those are a few I’m familiar with.
Is samp allowed?
Yes, you can have samp on the fast.
Is Greek Yogurt (Chobani) allowed during fast?
Hi, Gio. Unfortunately, yogurt isn’t part of the fast.
what is a good subsitute for coffee on the Daniel Fast? I am having major coffee withdrawls on day 1 and 2. Falling asleep at my desk. I watched a video of a girl who does Organic Cocao, organic tumeric and instant chicory root with water and splash of cinnamon. Is this allowed?
Hi, Angela. I’m sorry you’re struggling. Caffeine withdrawal is very real (and often very painful). Technically, since cacao has caffeine, it’s not Daniel Fast friendly. However, this is YOUR fast, so I would encourage you to seek the Lord as you pray. As him what your fast should look like. I believe he will guide you and give you insight into what you need to do.
I pushed through the day without it. I know after a few days it will get easier. This is my 2nd Daniel Fast and for some reason I must of went hard on the coffee after the last one lol. My pastor said “if it doesnt hurt, its not a sacrifice”. I keep repeating that as I pray for strength and today has gotten better. Thank you for your quick replies your wonderful. I am a baby christian persay and I am still learning so much in my journey with God.
That’s great, Angela! Good for you. I’m proud of you for committing to this fast, especially as a new Christian. The Lord has great things in store for you!
The withdrawal symptoms will go away and it will be beneficial for you to be without caffeine force time period. I do the coffee withdrawal 4 to 5 days before the fast start. Keep in mind caffeine is a drug. Meaning there is an addiction there when you have withdrawal symptoms.
I personally feel very strong not succumbing to my flesh but letting the spirit be King.
Drinking lots of water helps overcoming it quicker.
Thank you so much For your replies!!!!
Good morning, I understand apple cider vinegar is not allowed but I was wondering about hot apple cider or pressed apple juice?
Hi, Alma! 100% apple juice is fine to have.
Can you use canola oil during the Daniel fast?
Yes, it’s permissible, but you might consider an alternative oil, such as olive or coconut. Olive oil, for example, contains disease-fighting antioxidants.
Is 100% cacao unsweetened good to drink?
Hi. Since cacao has caffeine, it’s not part of the Daniel Fast.
You learn something new everyday lol, thank you.
I would like to know if there are certain times or how many times a day I could eat in a Daniel fast
Hi, Jason. That’s a good question. Please see #14 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Is there anything that can be used as a sugar substitute?
Fruit! 🙂 Some people may use coconut or date sugar. Stevia is also an option.
Dates chopped together with the ingredients is a very good alternative
You’re exactly right. Great suggestion.
You can use dates. I chopped them up and added them to my oats this morning along with apples and cinnamon and it was really good.
Hi! Can we have cooked veggies and cooked oatmeal? Also what salad dressing would be used or what ingredients are okay in salad dressing?
Yes, and yes. You can find some salad dressing ideas here: Daniel Fast Salads and Salad Dressings
Can you have yellow corn authentic Mexican taco shell
Taco shells are fried, so they’re not Daniel Fast friendly. However, you can have a corn tortilla or baked tortilla chips.
Can I use vegan butter
Hi! Please see #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Another question Kristen! What about durum wheat semolina?
Hi, Irene. Only whole-grain pasta is Daniel Fast friendly. The ingredients list will say “whole wheat” if it is. You can also use chickpea pasta, brown rice pasta, etc.
Can you have sour dough bread?
Hi, Kimberly. Unleavened whole-grain bread is allowed, so if your sourdough is made without yeast and uses whole-grain flour, yes. Otherwise, it’s not Daniel Fast friendly.
Whats a bread you recommended?
It’s difficult to find bread that’s Daniel Fast friendly unless you make your own. I have yet to see a brand that fits the guidelines. Sorry I wasn’t more help! You can always try to make Flatbread.
I know we can have citric acid, but what about calcium chloride, that’s the only other ingredient I see in the pasta sauce?
Yes, that’s fine.
Can we have fried foods if it’s only fried in seed, nut or vegetable oil?
Hi, Barbara. It’s OK to sauté food in oil. Just avoid deep-frying due to the high trans and saturated fats.
Fish allowed in the fast
Hi. Please see #6 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
cashews with sea salt allowed?
Absolutely!
What type of rice can I eat
Any whole-grain rice. Brown rice is a good choice.
Hi is unsweetened dairy free coconut yogurt allowed during this fast?
Hi. Check the ingredients. Make sure everything listed is Daniel Fast friendly. Look for added sugar, which would make it a no-go.
Can you have plant based “meat” or black bean/ mushroom burger patties?
Hi, Liz. Great question. Please see #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Can I use bragg’s nutritional yeast?
Hi, Collene. Your question is a good one. Whether or not to use nutritional yeast, which is an inactive form of yeast, is really matter of personal conviction. Some people may choose to have it, while others do not. Personally, I don’t use any type of yeast in my recipes. See #1 under “Food” on my FAQs page for more insight.
Is Skinny Pop popcorn allowed
Yes, the plain kind is. No buttered popcorn! 🙂
hello So is peanut butter is allowed
Yes, as long as it doesn’t contain added sugar. Check the label to be sure.
Thank you
Hi, I am going to do the Daniel fast when I have everything I need to do it, but is pancakes with almond flour ok without sugar?
Hi, Kandace! Yes, you can make pancakes with almond flour (and without sugar), as long as all the other ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly. 🙂 No eggs or butter!
Ok, thank you!
Can you use chicken broth for making vegetable soup?
Hi. Unfortunately, chicken broth isn’t part of the fast, but you can use water or vegetable broth.
There are vegetables chips on the market. Ingredients are root vegetables, oil (various types), sea salt & beet juice concentrate. They do not say baked so I’m assuming they are fried. Are they ok?
Hi, Barbara! Yes, they’re most likely fried. You can always Google the brand to see what the description is online. But, yes, usually a product will say “baked” if it is. Good question!
Hi what about oak meal in the package?
Oatmeal in the package is fine as long as it’s plan without added sugar.
Are seasoned sunflower seeds acceptable?
Yes.
Can we have frozen avocado?
Yes.
How about tofu
Some people may choose to use tofu on the fast, yes.
Can you have marshmallows
Ha ha. Nope. 🙂
Are we permitted to use almond butter during the fast.
Yes, as long as it doesn’t contain added sugar (check the ingredients).
Hi! Is baking powder an okay substitute instead of yeast?
Hi, Irene! That’s a good question. Personally, I don’t use any leavening agents in my recipes, but some people may choose to include them on their fast, and that’s OK. Everyone’s fast may not look the same; it’s really a personal choice based upon your convictions.
Can pregnant women do the Daniel fast. My church is doing the 21 days of fasting and I really want to participate but I am 22 weeks pregnant. I want to thank God for my miracle!
Hi, Ana! First of all, congratulations! How exciting! To answer your question, please see #4 (and #5) under “Misc” on my FAQs page. Also, keep in mind you can always modify your fast and still participate.
Are you able to have hummus
Yes.
Am I able to have mushroom coffee?
Hi! Good question. Please see #1 under “Beverages” on my FAQs page.
It has caffeine in it
Can we have eggs? Never mind. Got my answer
🙂
Can we have all natural maple syrup?
Hi! Please see #9 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Are corn tortillas allowed on the fast?
Yes, they are.