Daniel Fast Q&A

Q. How do you know all these fruits and vegetables were available in Daniels time?

A. We don’t know what foods were available for sure. What we do know is that Daniel did not eat meat or delicacies and drank no wine for a 21 day period. So this is what we use as the model. It also helps us to be united in our fast. The Daniel Fast is a diet that is free from all chemicals and processed foods. It has no sugar or breads (delicacies) and no animal products. The thing I try to stress to people is that there is no power in the foods eaten or not eaten. The power is in consecrating our body, soul and spirit unto the Lord for a focused time of prayer and fasting. The Word teaches us that when we draw near to the Lord that He will draw near to us. Setting this time apart for focused and more intense devotion to God is much more important than the food list. So these guidelines will serve us well since they are foods that are good for our body and yet there is a level of restriction that provides the discipline element necessary for a fast.

Q. How do you know that Daniel meant all bread when he wrote “no pleasant bread”? I take this to mean pastry. What makes you think it means all bread? I know that they didn’t have sweets as we know sweets as there wasn’t refined sugar, but wasn’t there honey, that they used to dip bread in? I’m using the King James Bible. Does “no flesh” also include fish? Why can’t I use meat broth it has no flesh in it. And why are dairy product excluded from a Daniel fast? They contain important vitamins the body needs? My last question is, isn’t the Daniel fast open to interpretation?

A. I think the answer to your last question really answers the others. Yes, the Daniel Fast is open to interpretation. The Daniel Fast is based on Daniel 10:2, 3 and those verses are very vague. The Daniel Fast Food List is not cast in stone. It is a guideline and there is nothing powerful in the foods that are eaten or not eaten. The power of the Daniel Fast is when an individual consecrates himself or herself to the Lord by setting a period of time for focused prayer and fasting. It is really not a time to be focused on food. With all that said, the reason bread is restricted is that leavened bread was often restricted in Jewish fasting. That’s why some people will eat flat bread during the fast and tortillas are also allowed. Fish? Chicken broth? Again, people on the Daniel Fast eat no meat, fish or poultry. Meat broth is sometimes used on a liquid fast as needed, because on a liquid fast sometimes it is needed to maintain strength, but a Daniel fast it is not allowed because a Daniel fast is totally meat free. That is based on the fast described in Daniel 1 when Daniel and his companions ate only vegetables and drank only water. Dairy products? The Daniel Fast is not based on what is healthy, although it is an extremely healthy way to eat. Instead, it is based on the fasting practices of the Prophet as described in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10 along with common Jewish fasting principles. In Daniel 1 we see that the prophet ate only fruits and vegetables and drank only water. So that’s why dairy products are not included. My advice is to pray about the fast and see if this is the fast for you. This fast is “unto the Lord” and should be free of any kind of legalism, but don’t use this as an excuse to give in to the flesh. Take this serious and put forth the effort to make restrictions in your diet. If you want to turn this into a legalistic battle then maybe you should refrain from fasting until you are ready in your heart. Or maybe the Daniel fast is not for you, this was not meant to look for arguments, but to set ourselves in agreement together so that we can watch God change things.

Q. My husband and I are starting the fast, and we were planning only to have fruits, veggies, and water. Then discovered that oatmeal, beans, and nuts are permitted, and want to include them- but it seems like that will make it much more enjoyable and looking at your food list, there are quite a bit of delicious things! If we can eat all these things, then I don’t feel very deprived at all, and wonder if it is ok for me/us- are we still consecrating ourselves if it isn’t too much of a hardship? Also, have been drinking tap water and husband has had canned soup- (and what about applesauce?) do we have to start over? I’m not even sure he’d agree to be restricted to bottled water. Thanks so much!

A. The Daniel Fast is just one of the ways to fast. We selected this fast as lead by God for our corporate leadership fast. I don’t believe a fast is meant to be a hardship, but a time to draw closer to God. And drawing closer to Him should not be a hardship. If you and your husband have greater spiritual success however fasting in another way, then I maybe you should continue to fast in that manner. This fast however is simple our way of simple going before the Lord in a unified corporate manner. There is nothing powerful about the foods included or excluded. It’s the fact that you are consecrating your body, soul and spirit unto the Lord. Regarding tap water? That really depends on the quality of your water. Most municipal water has lots of chemicals in it. Drinking it while fasting, especially when you are on a water only fast, can be dangerous to your system. To answer your question about the applesauce, READ THE LABEL, if it is sugar free and chemical free, than you are FREE to eat it.

Q. I would like to know if I can use Chicken broth or cubes or beef broth to make vegetable soup. Thanks, this is my first fast and I want to do it right

A. All animal products are excluded on the Daniel Fast, so beef and/or chicken broth is out. However, there are excellent vegetable broths available. You can use a granulated vegetable bouillon or liquid. Just make sure it has no hydrogenated oil, preservative or msg.

Q. Hi, I love to eat the Kashi cereal that is cinnamon harvest. It says that it is made with 100% whole wheat and there is no sugar or chemicals. As long as I use soy milk would that be allowed on the fast?

A. Yeah! You exercised one of the foundation rules in following the Daniel Fast. You READ THE LABEL! You are absolutely right that if the ingredients are all on the “okay” list, then you can go ahead and eat the cereal. The one ingredient to look out for is “enriched flour” as that is when the flour is processed and then essential nutrients are added back into it. I find many “natural foods” with enriched flour and most people just don’t know what that really is all about. So if you find “enriched flour” on the ingredient list, then nix it during the Daniel Fast as it’s a processed product.

Q. Can you tell me if couscous is allowed, please?

A. Couscous would be allowed if it is made from whole grains. Couscous is actually pasta. So if it’s made from whole grains, then it would be okay. Otherwise, you would need to leave it off the list.

Q. I would like to know when you mentioned all breads are not allowed, does this include unleavened too? The bread I would like (sustenance only) to eat has acceptable ingredients (I think), but I would gladly omit it if not allowed. The ingredients wheat gluten and wheat germ are they ok or are they considered processed?

A. Flat breads with no sugar or chemicals are okay on the Daniel Fast. If the bread is “raised” it has some form of leavening in it. Wheat germ and wheat gluten are okay and can be good for your health. Keep reading the labels for ingredients to make sure the prepared products are in line with the Daniel Fast restrictions.

Q. I noticed on the new food list there are foods that were not there before. Why are you saying they are ok now?

A. Before I was not very familiar with the Daniel fast or Jewish custom so in order to keep us unified in our effort it was easier to just eliminate certain food items that I was unsure about until I got more information. I have however done a lot of reading and research into this subject and have revised the food list accordingly. The new list is based on The Word and Jewish customs. You will notice that the list is not much different than before just some minor adjustments.

Q. Are pomegranates allowed?

A. Yes, pomegranates and all fresh fruit are allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Q. I would like to know what type of breads can be eaten on the Daniels fast – My husband is eating mild organic salsa and white corn tortilla chips I am kind of leery of what he is eating – I would just like to make sure he is eating what he is suppose to eat on the Daniels fast

A. Actually, no leavened bread is allowed on the Daniel Fast. Tortilla chips are okay if they are NOT deep fried and if they are sugar-free and chemical-free.

Q. You can have corn right? What about corn tortillas?

A. Yes, corn is fine to use on the Daniel Fast. I like using it with black beans and salsa, in salads and also, in soups and rice dishes. Corn tortillas are fine if they are made only with pure corn meal, salt and water. They are not okay if they have chemicals added or sugar. So you need to read the ingredients on the label if you are buying them in the store.

Q. Can fish or any form of crustacean be eaten during the fast since it is not considered meat”? I haven’t ingested any but wondered if it was allowed.

A. The only foods allowed on the Daniel Fast must have originated “from the ground.” Consequently, no fish or shellfish are allowed.

Q. Other than tofu, are there any other significant sources of protein included in the diet?

A. The Daniel Fast includes plenty of protein if individuals consume beans and rice, whole grain, legumes and leafy green vegetables.

Q. My bible says Daniel ate pulse. What is pulse?

A. Anything grown from a seed

Q. What about yeast?

A. Yeast is not an animal product nor is it a man made chemical. Because of the fermentation involved, many people will choose to avoid yeast during a Daniel Fast.

Q. What about grapes, raisins or grape juice?

A. Some people interpret wine in the Bible as fresh grape juice. But I find it hard to believe Noah got naked on fresh grape juice; I think it is safe to bet it was fermented. The reason Daniel didn’t want to drink the king’s wine was because it was offered to idols. If we follow this train of thought, we will be defining the Daniel Fast as a kosher diet (eating all foods that follow Old Testament dietary law and customs). This is what Daniel was complying with. In contrast, however, this is not the intention of the modified fast. This isn’t the exact diet Daniel ate but it is based on what he requested to eat; Pulse-food grown from a seed. Daniel didn’t want to eat the king’s meat or drink the king’s wine. Therefore, this fast avoids all animal products, fermented substances, and allows all things grown from the ground. In my opinion, grapes, raisins and unfermented grape juice are fine.

Q. What about vinegar?

A. Vinegar is made from wine or alcohol and it is fermented, so I would refrain from using it during this time since he consumed no wine.

Q. Can you drink v-8?

A. I think you can drink v-8 fusion and v-8 vegetable juice. Read the label to confirm.

Q. Can I have enriched or degermenated cornmeal?

A. No because it is has been altered from its natural state. Look for 100% whole corn with nothing added or removed.

Q. Can I have tofurky?

A. Read the label to see if it falls in the Daniel fast guidelines. I think it has vinegar and sugar, which are things you should avoid on this fast.

#cooking #food #bread