The Daniel Fast is a partial fast based on plant foods. The foods allowed on the Daniel Fast consist of vegetables, fruits and grains. The beverage is water.

These foods are described in the biblical story found in Daniel 1, where the Jewish boys in Babylon requested vegetables and water, pulse, to eat in keeping with their spiritual beliefs in order to not defile their bodies. The term “pulse” refers to plant based foods.

A fast is not a diet. Fasting differs from weight loss diets in that it is undertaken for a spiritual purpose. A person may choose to fast for a variety of spiritual reasons. These spiritually-based goals may be individual (with a personal goal) or collectively (with a shared common purpose).

Susan Gregory is a leader in the Daniel Fast community. She maintains an online blog and website devoted to dispensing information concerning the Daniel Fast at www.daniel-fast.com. In her book, The Daniel Fast, Susan Gregory uses a five step sequence for the fast: Pray, Plan, Prepare, Participate, Praise and Process.

The Daniel Fast book includes two parts:

• Part 1 – Lays out the Daniel Fast plan: Fasting as a spiritual discipline; the story of biblical Daniel; the benefits for body, soul and spirit; and the five steps to a successful Daniel Fast.
• Part 2 – Includes a food list; Daniel Fast recipes; DF menus; a 21 day DF devotional; and frequently asked questions.

The fast is organized in a five week delineation:

• Week 1: Preparation for your fast
• Weeks 2-4: Participation in 21 days of fasting (the Daniel Fast way)
  
• Week 5: Review of your individual Daniel Fast results, the takeaways, and preparation for a return to regular eating by incorporating some food modifications.

DANIEL FAST FOODS

Foods to Include:

• All vegetables
• All whole grains
• All nuts and seeds
• All legumes
• All quality oils
• Water
• Soy foods
• Specified condiments and cooking ingredients (see book)

Foods to Restrict:

• All meat and animal products
• All dairy products
• All sweetners and sugars
• All leavened bread
• All refined and processed food products
• All deep-fried foods
• All solid fats
• All nonwater beverages

The Daniel Fast has many benefits. I am undertaking my fourth Daniel Fast as of this writing. Two years ago I did a trial run during the summer. Last year I led a group of women through the Daniel Fast in January and then again in March (some of the women enjoyed it so much they wanted a second go-round). Currently, I am leading another group of women in the fast. We are nearing the home stretch. By the way, almost everyone loses weight as a side benefit.

Here’s what happens:

Week one we meet and discuss what’s coming up: the types of foods to purchase in advance, how we will select a spiritual goal for our own fast’s purpose, and what we will read in the book before we start the fast. All participants begin cutting back on some of the foods which are not allowed on the fast, in particular, coffee. It helps to have some experienced fasters in the group to help guide the discussion and answer questions.

Week two the participants begin to complete the 21 day Daniel Fast. During the first few days most participants experience some detoxing and discomfort, headaches and body aches, and everyone comiserates about giving up their favorite beverage. By Day 5, most participants are feeling better than they have in years. Days 6 – 21, the body aches diminish, and it is common to have more energy and clearer thinking.

In addition, the participants find the Daniel Fast devotionals and personal prayer time both rewarding and fulfilling. It’s like our body, soul and spirit is receiving a fine-tuning and reboot. Everyone is excited. They share with the group the new recipes they’re trying, and their successes . . . like cleaning the kitchen cupboards now that they have an abundance of energy etc.

The Daniel Fast works well for a group or by yourself. A group helps with focus and encouragement and can be a lot of fun. When the Daniel Fast is over, I have found that most of the participants change up some of their past unhealthy eating habits and begin to make some better, healthier choices.

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Note 1: A Daniel Fast workbook can be purchased. It works as a spiritual support during the fast. I use the workbook with my groups.

Note 2: Some who participate in the fast will not make it the whole way without a slip-up or two. When this happens, they are encouraged to get back on track and keep going. My take on this issue is this; those who follow the Daniel Fast plan with fidelity, will reap the greatest benefit.

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