All allowable Daniel Fast foods come from plants.
The Daniel Fast is a 21-day diet and lifestyle plan based on the biblical story of Daniel, who was captured by the Babylonians in Jerusalem during the 6th century B.C. During his captivity, he limited his food intake as a way to seek answers from God. Although many who partake in the Daniel Fast do so as a spiritual discipline that includes prayer and self-denial, others follow the fast in an attempt to lose weight or as a challenge to eat more healthfully. Consult your physician before starting this diet.
The foods allowed on the Daniel Fast are based on two biblical stories of Daniel's dietary restrictions while fasting. Although his first fast limited his diet to just vegetables and water, his second period of fasting involved avoiding "choice foods," such as wine and meat. Based on these stories, the Daniel Fast allows only whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils. The quantity of food you're allowed to eat is not restricted.
Prepare to give up your morning coffee and that glass of wine with dinner, because the Daniel Fast incorporates a strong element of self-denial by prohibiting many enjoyable foods and beverages. Off-limit items include any type of sweetener or sweetened food, preservatives, additives, caffeine and alcoholic beverages. The Daniel Fast is similar to the vegan diet, so no meat, poultry, fish or dairy products are allowed. Water is the only beverage permitted.
Specific cookbooks for the Daniel Fast are available, although they are not necessary if you choose recipes that adhere to the rules. Author Susan Gregory's Daniel Fast cookbook contains recipes for for dishes such as pumpkin black bean soup, Indonesian tofu with peanut sauce, Greek vegetable stew and a potato and green onion frittata. Gregory's list of allowable Daniel Fast snacks includes dried fruit, hummus with flatbread, apple slices with nut butter, fruit kabobs and trail mix made from nuts, coconut pieces, dried fruit, sunflower seeds and raisins.
In a study funded by the University of Memphis, researchers found that subjects who followed the Daniel Fast for 21 days had an improvement in several biomarkers related to cardiovascular and metabolic health. Testing showed significantly lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. The reduction in total cholesterol included a decreased level of beneficial HDL cholesterol, which concerned the researchers. Body weight and body fat were not significantly decreased. The Daniel Fast lacks vitamin B12, a vital nutrient which is only found in foods from animal sources, according to Judi Morrill of San Jose State University. Morrill also said that the quality of the diet depends on what foods you choose to eat.
Rose, Gianna. "What Is a Daniel Fast?" Healthy Eating | SF Gate, http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/daniel-fast-3317.html. Accessed 23 April 2019.
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