A Good Daniel Fast

One of the number one questions I get asked any time we’re about to enter a corporate fast is “Do I have to give up everything but water?!”  The quick and easy answer is, “No.”  But I do encourage everyone to push themselves, challenge themselves and see what God will do.

Of course, if a complete water fast is not something you can do, you have options.

There are many types of fasts, but the one that you are probably most familiar with is a Daniel Fast. Others reading this may want to begin this type of fast but just don’t know where to start, so I want to give some super quick guidelines such as foods to eat and avoid, and what you should be doing during a fast.

FOODS TO EAT

Fruits: Any Kind! I recommend fresh because of preservatives and the like, but you can still use frozen, dried, juiced, or canned
Nuts: Almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
Whole Grains: barley, brown rice, oats, millet, whole wheat, quinoa (must be made without yeast or sugar)
Legumes: black beans, black eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans, split peas
Vegetables: Any kind! Again I recommend fresh veggies, buy you can still use frozen (try steamers), dried, juiced, or canned
Beverages: water, V8, juiced vegetables and fruit
Other: spices, salt, pepper, seasonings, soy products, tofu

FOODS TO AVOID

Meat: beef, fish, pork, poultry, etc
Dairy Products: butter, cheese, cream, eggs, milk
Sweetners: agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw sugar, granulated sugar, brown sugar, sweet stuff in general
Leavened Bread: baked goods, Ezekiel bread, any bread with yeast
Deep Fried foods: chips, french fries, potato chips, etc.
Solid Fats: lard, margarine, shortening
Beverages: alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, green tea, herbal tea, sweet tea

The Daniel Fast was one element that helped shape a nation in Scripture. I’ll give you one guess in which book we see it. 🙂 We believe it can shape our church, our city and our nation as well!