What’s Daniel fast and what are its origins?
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Daniel Fast originates from the book of Daniel in the bible.
As the name would suggest, the Daniel Fast is based on a model that was set by Daniel fasting in the bible. We understand that Daniel went without certain things for certain periods during this fast. The simplest way to put it is that he didn’t eat meat or drink wine, he ate a lot of fruit and vegetables.
When did Daniel Fast in the bible?
Why did Daniel Fast
Daniel 1:8
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Context is very important with these things. Daniel and his 3 buddies were captives who had been taken into the king’s palace, so they could be trained for service. They were put on strict schedules, as well as a strict diet. The initial fast that we see in Daniel 1 is Daniel refusing to be defiled by the king’s food, that was sacrificed to idols during slaughter and preparation.
Daniel’s fast was for all intents and purposes a compromise between Daniel and the man who had been put in charge of their welfare. It was not about Daniel merely deciding to eat vegetables.
12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Nowadays, there are two forms that are used for the Daniel Fast when it comes to the number of days that one may fast. Daniel fasted for an initial 10 days before the caretaker could grant his permission to not have to eat the choice foods that the king had given them. The 10 days were a trial period of sorts, to see the results of not eating this choice food.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
The results facilitated for Daniel to be allowed to go without the royal food, and get a permanent diet of vegetables and water. So, Daniel fasted for 10 days to prove that he wouldn’t be less nourished than those who ate choicer food.
Why Did Daniel Fast for 3 weeks
Another occasion that fasting was mentioned in the book of Daniel was much later, in the reign of King Cyrus of Persia. Daniel 10 tells us that:
2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
We see that Daniel returned to his roots, he ate no choice food. Presumably, by this stage, he would have had the autonomy to make and choose his own food, as his rank had progressed beyond his days as a trainee. He ate no choice food, ate no meat and drank no wine.
13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.
Daniel fasted for 21 days because he was waiting for a response. It came after 21 days!
Where Christians are Going Wrong with Daniel Fast?
To understand where Christians are going wrong with the Daniel Fast, we will consider what the purpose of fasting is, to begin with.
The Purpose of fasting
Isaiah 58 tells us what fasting should be about. Most of what we call a Daniel Fast today is merely a diet. We pick and choose what to eat. We plan recipes and meals for our “sacrifice?” How is that still fasting?
Fasting is about sacrifice. Today most material and teaching that you will find on the Daniel’s fast is centred around “what to eat” and “what not to eat”. These are important questions, but they come at the expense of what fasting is supposed to be about. It is not about you! We cannot call it fasting if most of our effort is devoted to trying to make this fast as comfortable as possible, while still being able to say we sacrificed.
Another component of this is that it is not particularly practical for those who lack means. Most people living below the bread line already live fairly close to the Daniel’s fast. They don’t get to pick and choose these things.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT DANIEL FAST
Can the Daniel fast make you sick?
The short answer is yes. You may suffer from malnourishment if you go on a Daniel Fast for a prolonged period, without knowing what nutrients to incorporate. Common issues may include iron deficiency, as a result of not having an equivalent food supplement in the vegetable diet. If you have preexisting medical conditions that may be affected by your diet, speak to your physician.
Can Daniel fast affect your period?
Dietary changes will definitely have an effect on menstruation. The implications and severity will vary depending on what you are eating or not eating. The volume of blood discharged may decrease due to diet.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110569016300267
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941756
Daniel Fast can you eat eggs?
No, you may not eat eggs. Daniel Fast is a plant-based diet. No animal products would be consumed. However, I’d like to reiterate the importance of moving your fasting away from what to eat and what not to eat, and focus on the purpose of fasting.
Daniel Fast can you eat fish?
No, you may not eat fish. Daniel’s diet was plant-based during the fast. The bible tells us that he ate vegetables and drank water. However, I’d like to reiterate the importance of moving your fasting away from what to eat and what not to eat, and focus on the purpose of fasting.
Can I do the Daniel fast while pregnant?
Yes, you can do a Daniel Fast while pregnant. However, pregnancy requires enhanced nourishment, so I’d advise that you speak to your doctor or midwife for guidance.
Daniel fast can you drink tea?
Daniel only drank water and ate vegetables, so you may not drink tea during a Daniel Fast.
Can you smoke during Daniel fast?
True fasting is about sacrifice. If you are to do it right, you let go of the things that give comfort and focus on the Lord. So, you may not smoke.
Can I do the Daniel fast while breastfeeding?
Yes, you can do a Daniel Fast while breastfeeding. A Daniel Fast is a vegan diet, and vegans successfully breastfeed. It is important to speak to a dietician or doctor to make sure that you and your child are properly nourished.
Daniel fast can you have honey?
No, you may not have honey in a Daniel Fast. Honey is an animal product. It is also a somewhat luxurious product. Daniel only ate vegetables and drank water. I’d like to reiterate the importance of moving your fasting away from what to eat and what not to eat, and focus on the purpose of fasting.
Daniel fast can you have salt?
Salt is not a luxury, neither is it animal-based or derived. So you may have salt. I’d like to reiterate the importance of moving your fasting away from what to eat and what not to eat, and focus on the purpose of fasting.
Can diabetics do the Daniel fast?
Yes, diabetics can do the Daniel Fast. Speaking to a doctor or dietician is important before going into it. Where food is concerned, there are a lot of vegans who are diabetic and live on a diet similar to the one that Daniel had during the fast.
Can you eat rice Daniel fast?
Yes, you may eat rice during a Daniel Fast. Rice is a plant-based product. However, consider the heart of fasting. Always look for the element of sacrifice. Are you sacrificing by eating rice? This will differ based on individual circumstances.
Can you do the Daniel fast anytime?
Yes, the Daniel Fast can be done any time of the year. The importance should be placed on the sacrifice.
Daniel fast can you eat peanut butter?
Peanut butter is processed, so Daniel would have unlikely consumed this. Well, it may just be ground peanuts as well. Again, it comes down to the point about sacrifice. What is the cost of not having peanut butter to you?
Daniel fast, can you eat oatmeal?
Oatmeal is not processed, for the most part, it is not a vegetable though. Daniel only ate vegetables and drank water. According to Daniel 1. He would forsake choice food in Daniel 10. Perhaps considering whether oatmeal is choice food in your case.
Can you use seasoning Daniel fast?
In all honesty, no one can say for sure. The closest reference is that Daniel ate only vegetables and drank water. What vegetables are you consuming that require seasoning? Beyond that, consider that fasting is about sacrifice, suppression of the body to magnify the spirit.
Can I exercise during Daniel fast?
Yes, you can exercise during Daniel Fast. There are vegan athletes who live on a diet similar to the one Daniel had.
How long did Daniel fast?
There are two fasts recorded in the book of Daniel. In Daniel 1, there is no timeline of how long the fast would have lasted. Perhaps until he was promoted from the role in which he would have been under the care of the chief of staff.
On the second fast, which is recorded in Daniel 10, he fasted for 21 days.
Is Daniel fast vegan?
Yes, the Daniel Fast is vegan. The bible tells us that he ate only vegetables and drank only water.
Daniel fast withdrawal symptoms
Depending on your usual diet, your body will react to the Daniel Fast. You may have less energy than usual as your body adjusts to the Daniel Fast. Prolonged use of the Daniel Fast may lead to issues with nutrient if you are not careful to have a balanced diet within the vegetables that you are eating.
Why did Daniel fast for 10 days?
Daniel fasted for 10 days to show the caretaker that he wouldn’t be any less nourished after that period, than those that were eating from the King’s choicer food. He didn’t want to defile himself by eating the meat and wine from the food the king provided. Daniel 1.
Can eat yoghurt during Daniel fast?
Nope. It is not vegetables or water. That is what Daniel ate. Yoghurt is also usually from animals, which isn’t vegan. Daniel’s fast is vegan.
Can you drink coffee Daniel fast?
No, you may not drink coffee during the Daniel Fast. Beverage wise, biblically, Daniel only drank water. Daniel 1.
Daniel fast what not to eat
If it is not water, you may not drink it. If it is not vegetable or plant-based, you may not eat it. The Daniel Fast is essentially vegan, without the processed foods as well.
Are potatoes allowed on Daniel fast?
Absolutely. They are a plant and a vegetable at that. This is what Daniel’s diet was based on.
Are olives on the Daniel Fast?
It’s yes and no. Yes because they are a plant. No, because olives are fairly pricey. They are a food that Daniel would have likely stirred away from. Fasting is doing away with luxuries, of which olives are one.
Foods to eat in the Daniel Fast include:
- Vegetables
- Water
- Fruits
Thankful to find a spiritual article regarding Daniel’s fast that is truthful and patiently redirects to the purpose of the fast.
I am preparing myself to go on the 3 week fast to gain spiritual discernment and break bondage to food in general. This was very helpful to me.
Thank you,
Michelle
Hi Michelle. Excited to read this. How was fasting and prayer?
I’ve been partaking in the Daniel Fast annually for abut 7 years now
This year I have a dilemma 🙂
on Day 12 & 13 of the fast I have a social event out of town to attend and will be challenged with partaking in foods that are not Daniel Fast compliant
Should I discontinue my Fast or extend it by a Day or 2 ?
Hi Glenn. Kudos to you for your faithfulness over that period. The key part is your heart being in it. That is what fasting is about. Casting away personal needs and desires for the purpose of connecting with the Lord. If you can pull through the social event would be ideal, seeing as that is the sort of sacrifice that Daniel would have had to endure. Having said that, at times this is not possible. You can extend the day or two.
Didn’t really get your comments. If poor families can’t afford meat then the Daniel fast would be possible because legumes are far cheaper than meat so apart from a time which is spiritually and is a personal relationship at the end of the fast they may be blessed with a more economically and healthy way to incorporate fruit and veg in heir diet. Lets not be critical of others and focus on our own walk and sacrifices to God which will be different depending on health age economics and a variety of factors but the final judge of whether the sacrifice of fast is accepted is God.Focus on your own fast and heart towards God don’t look at others.
Hi Tayo. Thanks for your comments. I think discussing these things is key. That is how we learn from one another. Methods should be critiqued, lest they become hinged on tradition rather than Christ.
If you a poor family is not eating meat because of financial reasons, that couldn’t be a fast. There is no element of sacrifice involved.
I agree that the judgement is with God rather than us.
Hello. I absolutely love this article! Thank you for sharing it, which really made me think. So I have a question – if the Daniel Fast was just vegetables and water, what is our justification for adding fruit as well? I know it’s nutritious, but It doesn’t appear that Daniel included fruit (but of course I’d like to, :)).