Practical Advantages of a Daniel Fast

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Some practical advantages to fasting like Daniel include: re-evaluating your life, identifying with those who are poor, losing weight, worshipping God, breaking bad habits, growing closer to God, family and friends, learning self-control, purifying your body and soul, and repenting of sin.
The Christian's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Co 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own." Therefore, we must take good care of our bodies. Many common diseases are easily prevented with good nutrition and exercise.
Caution! The Daniel Fast Diet like any other fast can create problems for people with medical conditions, pregnant, nursing and/or taking medicine. Consult your doctors and/or pharmacist before starting any fast. Ask them about your medication while fasting.

Seven Tips for Observing a Daniel Fast

1. Be specific

Daniel was very clear in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined his objection immediately.
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
a. The king’s food was likely not kosher, against Jewish dietary laws.
b. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.
c. The king’s food could have been offered up to idols or demons.
Write out and sign a commitment that outlines
1. Why you are fasting.
2. How long you are fasting.
3. From what you are fasting.

2. Fast as a spiritual commitment

The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. "Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself."
Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance!

3. Reflect inner desire by external discipline

Most people desire better health, but don't discipline themselves to say no to junk food, and other unhealthy foods. Our physical health is more than answered prayer. Our physical health is normally linked to many of these factors:
a. Your food choices.
b. The level of your spiritual commitment, as reflected in constant prayer during the diet of Daniel and his friends.
c. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast ten days, don't stop on day nine.
d. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith in God. You want God to heal your body. Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.
4. Pray to see the role of sin in your relative health or sickness
James 5:13-20 (KJV)
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Observations:

• Our actions and attitudes are vital. James said, "are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms." James 5:13
• The sick person must call for the elders. James 5:14
• Sin is something related to the cause of sickness. James 5:15
• Lack of health or healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion. James 5:15
• Lack of health or healing may be due to sin of wrong consumption, i.e. poor diet, drugs, pornography. James 5:15
• Repentance is linked to health. James 5:16
• Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith in God is the major factor. James 5:15, 17-20
  John Piper says in A Hunger for God, "Fasting is God’s testing ground-and healing ground."

5. Daniel Fasted as a statement of faith to others

Daniel made a statement of faith when he asked to eat only vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then Daniel asked the overseer to compare the appearance of the 4 sons of Israel with the other people who ate the king’s food.

6. Learn the effects of the food you eat

What makes some food good for us? What makes other food bad for our bodies? What are the negative effects of foods do to our bodies? If we answer these questions, there would certainly be some foods we would never want to eat again.

7. Yield all results to God

Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants.” Daniel 1:13 We don't know if Daniel or his friends ever again ate the king’s food.
As Elmer Towns says,
"Fasting for an answer is similar to prayer. Sometimes you can pray once in an act of faith, and God hears and answers. On other occasions you must continuously ask in faith before an answer will come. We need to pray often and fast continually to build up our faith and our spiritual character."

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Daniel Fast
Food List

“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3

Special Note: if you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast. If you would like a list of the foods included and excluded in the Daniel Fast to show your doctor, just copy the contents of this page.
Please realize these are suggested guidelines. Some of you may not be able to discontinue sugar, white flour, coffee,  etc. from your diet for 21 days. That is ok. Just ask the Lord how far you should go on this fast.

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast
All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast
All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweetenersincluding but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

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The Daniel's Fast Cookbook
In The Daniel's Fast Cookbook the recipes are based on what Daniel of the Bible requested to eat in order not to be defiled. They are vegan (no dairy, no eggs, no animal products) and whole grain. Included in the book is an explanation of the fast from a biblical perspective with helps for drawing closer to God. One of the great things about the Daniel Fast is that you are not limited to any specific amount of food, but rather to the kinds of food you can eat. The Daniel Fast is limited to vegetables (includes fruits) and water. 
Order The Daniel's Fast Cookbook

Other Resources regarding Fasting and Prayer
Click here to see a list of other resources