So You Want To Start a Fast?

“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

Hey guys,  I know it's been a while since I last blogged! I recently finished a 40 day fast, yup a 40 day fast!!! I wanted to do the fast so I can draw my relationship to Jesus much closer. I also wanted to dedicate the first 40 days to HIM! Now my fast was kind of extreme so you don't have to do 40 days.
  The Daniel Fast is where you eat certain types of food for 21 days so you can have a closer relationship with God just like Daniel did in the bible.  Let's get this clear! A fast is not a diet! If you're goal for this fast is to lose weight...you might as well quit. The main goal of fasting is to get an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father. It is denying your flesh so you can hear more from Him. It's about spending more time reading and studying the Word and also in prayer. In time you will noticed that your body will lose weight, some of your body ailments will disappear. (These are some of the benefits but this is not the goal of fasting).

   My fast started from 6am - 6pm. After 6pm I ate very light vegan food. I mostly ate raw fruits and veggies, oats and nuts. To be honest the fast was kind of hard but you'll get through it with the grace of God! After completing the fast I felt more at peace, full of love joy and kindness for others. My faith in God increased and I also crave more for the Word. The fast doesn't have to be with just food you can fast from Facebook/ Twitter, Internet,television so that you have more time to pray read and study the Word of God! I pray this blesses and encourages you ! Let me know if you're going to start the Daniel Fast!

I provided a list below of the foods to include in your Daniel Fast! Enjoy!

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.

 Also when you're on the fast don't let anyone know you're fasting by putting on a sad face because you're hungry. (They shouldn't even have to know you're fasting, this is between you and God) You can tell them you're fasting if they happen to offer you foods that are not on the fast like meat, cake,etc.

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. Also, if you are interested in a collection of recipes that will take you through an entire 21-day Daniel fast, click here.

After answering hundreds of questions about the Daniel Fast, I am updating the food guidelines. My hope is that it will serve as a more complete list. The original list used by many people was issued in a book about fasting. I know the author tried to do the best he could, but that isn’t the same as getting hundreds of questions seeking clarification. So here is the new list that I hope helps.

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.

If you want a print out of this list in brochure form to use yourself or share with others, please visit www.Daniel-Fast.com

The Daniel Fast – available at all local and online bookstores.

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