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
If you’ve been blessed by the resources on this website and would like to donate to the Ultimate Daniel Fast ministry, you can give via Paypal or credit card. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Can I drink vitamin water
Unfortunately, Vitamin Water does contain added sugar, so it’s not Daniel Fast friendly.
Hello, can I eat popcorn??
Yes, popcorn in oil (not butter!) is fine.
Hello, I would like to ask you again if I can drink sports drinks
Hi, Peter. You’ll have to check the ingredients, but it’s not likely the product is Daniel Fast friendly.
Hello I would like to know if I could drink natural juice that contains sugar for example Tymbark?
Hi, Peter. Unfortunately, that fruit juice does contain added sugar, so it’s not part of the fast.
Thank you for this! I am vegan and Christian and I have been looking for resources,
Hi, Nicole. You’re very welcome.
Can i eat baked potatoes while on the fast?
Yes, all vegetables are allowed, including potatoes. Just stay away from the butter and cheese! 🙂
Is tea with no caffeine okay? Last time I did this I was 16 and did it with my mom and dad. I want to assure I am doing this correctly as I have my own relationship with Christ. Thank You in advance 🙂
Hi, Jazmine. I love that you did the fast with your parents and want to do it again. Please see #2 under Beverages on my FAQs page. It’s really between you and the Lord. When I first started doing the fast years ago, I was very strict and didn’t even have herbal tea, mostly because I had tea nearly every day and felt like I should give it up. However, I sometimes will have herbal tea on the fast now. What’s the most important is that you make the decision BEFORE the fast what you’re going to do so that you can stick to your commitment. Does that make sense?
Does coconut or maple sugar apply?
Hi. Please see #9 and #11 under Food on my FAQs page.
Can I eat seaweed nori ?
Yes.
Can you drink decaffeinated coffee?
Hi, Lynn. Please see #1 under Beverages on my FAQs page.
You have a very nice website and it is very informative. Thank you.
Thank you, Shante! I appreciate the feedback.
Where did this list come from? It is so modern compared to the time of Daniel and what Daniel would have eaten. Just curious.
Hi, Rhonda. Thanks for your question. Please see About the Daniel Fast. I think the information will help.
Is there any name brand bread or Flatbreads that don’t have sugar and yeast.
I’m not aware of any brands, but you can make your own. Here’s a recipe if you’d like to try: Flatbread.
Can we use date syrup?
Hi, Sarah. As long as the date syrup has all Daniel Fast friendly ingredients, it’s fine.
Is CODfish allowed
Hi, Trina. Please see #6 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Good Morning,
I was wondering if you could help me out with a couple of Questions.
First:I wanted to know if I could have a protein smoothie with vegan protein powder and almond milk?
And secondly: what flour shall I use to make my own unleavened bread?
Thank you in advance
Hi, Jennifer. Please see the following post for guidance on your smoothie question: Protein Powder on the Daniel Fast. For unleavened bread, you can use any whole-grain flour (or a combination of them), such as whole wheat, brown rice, barley, rolled oats, and spelt.
I’m starting my daniel fast on the 7th of this month. I pray God strengthen me to achieve my goals regarding fasting.
Can we drink decaffeinated coffee? If so, can we use stevia?
Hi, Margaret. Great questions. Please see #1 under “Beverages” and #10 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Question is pretzels included with the fast of eating?
No, pretzels aren’t Daniel Fast friendly.
Can you drink Ensure
Great question, but Ensure isn’t Daniel Fast friendly due to the milk content (animal products aren’t part of the fast), as well as sugar and other ingredients.
This is so interesting! Can you eat homemade sourdough bread if you only use whole grain? Also can you add vital wheat gluten to the bread?
Hi. Unleavened bread is allowed when whole grains are used (ex. Flatbread). Since vital wheat gluten is not whole-grain, it’s not part of the Daniel Fast. Great questions!
Hello there,
I would like to know if wheat germ is acceptable since I have plans to make homemade protein powder with it.
Regards Truely,
Karla
Hi, Karla! Great question. Although wheat germ is a healthy addition to recipes, it’s not whole grain. Whether or not to use it on your fast is a personal decision. You certainly don’t want to become legalistic about food choices, and it’s not as if you’re having sugar or another food that’s clearly off limits. So, I say, let the Lord lead you on food options that aren’t as clear. 🙂
Hi, My life style is very similar to the Daniel plan BUT I do consume a lot of eggs and tofu b/c I don’t eat a lot of proteins. So where do you get the protein from? Sorry I missed or didn’t see it on the lifte? Also is decaf coffee w/ almond milk permitted? What about kombucha? Thank You so much!
Hi, Anna! Great questions. You get a good amount of protein through beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. The protein just isn’t animal-based but plant-based. But, you’re right. The Daniel Fast isn’t a high-protein way of eating. To answer your question about coffee, please refer to my FAQs page (see #1 under Beverages). As far as kombucha, no, it’s not Daniel Fast friendly because of the yeast, sugar, and tea (caffeine).
Hi thank you so much for revealing so much information, I have a question how many meal you must take once and the second one can I take alpen muesli with plain yogurt
Hi! I’m glad the website has been helpful to you. Yogurt isn’t Daniel Fast friendly (animal products aren’t part of the fast; it’s plant-based). To answer your first question, please refer to my FAQs page (see #14 under Food).
Hello
Looks great! I will give it a go.
I also do an annual detox which allows beef, chicken and white fish. When God told Peter to go eat meat, just wondering why this fast recommends not to eat meat?
Thank you
Regards
Lisa
Hi, Lisa. Thanks for your comments. Perhaps this information will help clarify: https://ultimatedanielfast.com/ultimate-daniel-fast-about-the-daniel-fast/.
Hi, are biscuits allowed on this fast?
Not unless all ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly!
Daniel only ate vegetables and drank only water. That is the TRUE Daniel fast, not all of this other stuff.
Ate only vegetables means vegan, It means didn’t eat any animal products, Drank only water means he didn’t drink alcohol.
I would love to be a part of this 🙏
hi are Stevia leaves allowed?
Also Stevia leaf extract is not, right? because of the preservatives I believe.
Oh and how can I maintain a high protein meal with all of these ingredients?
Hi, Janelle. Some people do use stevia since it’s plant-based. Others choose not to, so it’s a personal decision, really. Also, the Daniel Fast is not a high protein way of eating, but it’s only for three weeks. And, you can get a good amount of plant protein if you’re intentional about it. Good question!
Hi just wanted to ask is cake wheat flour allowed?
No. Only whole-grain flour is Daniel Fast friendly.
Hi what breakfast options can you suggest to eat because I feel like I can’t eat anything at breakfast like pancakes or cereal or bacon. And is it okay to eat fries?
Hi, Natalia. Have you checked out my Breakfast recipes section? That might give you some ideas. Also, baked fries are OK to have.
Question about Siete chips: Ingredients are potatoes, sea salt, and avocado oil. They don’t say “baked”, they say they are kettle cooked. Is that acceptable?
Siete also makes a tortilla chip that is made from coconut flour. Is this an acceptable food?
Also wondering if plant-based butter is acceptable?
Hi, Kenny. All good questions. Some people will have kettle-cooked chips, so that’s a personal decision. It’s kind of a gray area, in my opinion. And, yes, tortilla chips that aren’t fried are fine to have. As far as plant-based butter, please see #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page.
Hi, May I have organic, vegan, pea protein powder? It contains stevia leaf extract.
Yes, that’s OK to have.
Does it matter how many times you eat? Do I have to limit myself?
Hi! There isn’t a set number of times you should eat on the Daniel Fast. Some people may eat three meals or choose to skip a meal. Others might have three meals and snacks. Every person’s fast is different and that’s OK.
Can I have samp, vegan peanut butter and soft porridge while on Daniel fast
Hi! Samp, all-natural peanut butter (without added sugar), and whole-grain porridge are OK to have on the fast.
I wanted to get your opinion on this. I have a question about syrups. I know they are not allowed but if the ingredients are pure I’m just curious why it’s not supposed to be eaten. I have date syrup that is made with just organic dates that are mashed up and water, nothing else. Why is it that dates are allowed but not the syrup? Seems like dates can be used as a sweetner and be considered “pleasant food.” Thanks!
Hi, Sarah. That’s a good question, and it really depends upon your personal conviction about it. You’re right. Date syrup is 100% dates, so it’s technically OK to have. However, maple syrup wouldn’t be Daniel Fast friendly because it’s not fruit-based (like date syrup). Added sugars, such as honey, agave, maple syrup, etc. aren’t part of the fast for that reason. I hope that explanation helps.
Maple syrup is plant based though. And it’s from a flowering tree.
Yes, but it’s an added sugar, which isn’t part of of the fast.
For seasoning can I use chicken bullion cubes or chicken and beef stock?
Hi. Great question. Unfortunately, animal products of any kind aren’t part of the fast.
I ate kettle potato chips . I read the ingredients and they were all Daniel fast friendly . Am I supposed to start over if I made a mistake with “fried food” even if the ingredients were Daniel fast friendly?
Hi, Nia. Thanks for your question. Don’t worry about doing the fast “perfectly” because that’s not the point. Unless the Lord leads you to begin again, I’d say keep going! Having a misstep doesn’t disqualify you or make your fast ineffective. Simply confess your mistake to the Lord and talk to him about the why behind it, and refocus. God understands our weaknesses. He knows our struggles, and he has grace and mercy in our time of need.
Can we eat fries?
Baked fries (or fries cooked in the air fryer) are OK to have. Deep-fried foods aren’t part of the fast.
You should call it Daniel Feast
Absolutely! I had a Daniel Feast at Montreal Festival Vegane!
I’d canned tomatoe sauce allowed?
Hi. Yes, as long as the can doesn’t contain added sugar (it will say “sugar” in the ingredients list).
Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Can you have salt?
Yes, salt and pepper, as well as herbs and spices are allowed.
can you eat shrimp?
any alternatives for meat?
Animal products aren’t part of the fast. Some people may include vegan meat substitutes (see #7 under “Food” on my FAQs page).
Are hand made white flour tortillas ok if they only use two ingredients
Hi, Marlene. Great question. White flour isn’t part of the fast because it’s not whole-grain.
Hello,
Is So Delicious vegan ice cream permitted?
Unfortunately, it’s not part of the fast. But it is delicious! 🙂
hy What about powerate
If you meant Powerade, that’s not Daniel Fast friendly because of the added sugar.
Good Day Kristen,
I see you list having tea as long as it is decaff, can we also have decaff coffee? Thank you so much for helping the body of Christ, may God Bless your endeavors.
Hi. Please see #1 under “Beverages” on my FAQs page.
What about things like mayo and salad dressing
Mayonnaise contains egg, so it’s not part of the fast. Salad dressing is allowed, as long as all ingredients are Daniel Fast friendly.
Can you kindly expanciate more, what kinda ingredients can I mix for the salad dressing that’ll fit into the Daniel fast?
You can use oil as a base (olive oil, sesame oil, etc.) and add herbs and spices. You can also add lemon juice. see Salads and Salad Dressings for ideas.
Can we eat crackers
As long as they’re whole-grain and baked, yes!
Is homemade salsa ok? it has vegetables like onions, and tomatoes etc.
Yes.
H!i can I ask if it is okay to eat roasted nuts such as almonds when you do the Daniles Fasting? Thank you
Yes, you can have roasted nuts.
Hello Kristen, so happy I found your page. Thank you for all you do.
Is durum wheat couscous okay to eat?
Thank you
Hi! I’m glad you found my website as well. Only whole-grain couscous is Daniel Fast friendly. The package should say “whole-grain”.