Concord Church: Daniel Fast

Daniel Fast Instructions

Types of food included in this Daniel fast:

• Vegetables, preferably fresh or frozen vegetables. Vegetables such as potatoes, beans, and soybeans will help provide substance. Fresh or frozen vegetables are recommended. If canned vegetables are desired, use sodium free or drain and wash prior to cooking. Individuals who have an intolerance to beans should substitute with soy products.

• It is advisable to take a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement during the fast (1 per day). You may also include various nuts to serve as a protein supplement.

• Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats (including Oatmeal), Barley and Pasta

• Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas

• Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Oranges, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon (Limit your intake to 2 citrus fruits per day i.e. lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges)

• Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, Collard greens, Turnip greens

• Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

• Olive Oil, Seasonings and Spices

• Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, Soy Milk, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices (apple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, etc.) (no sweetened drinks or sweetened fruit)

Maintain portion control refer to the USDA Food Pyramid on www.mypyramid.gov for the recommended number of servings per day. (For example, limit fruits or vegetables to 7-10 per day and nuts to 12-15 per meal). Do not eat 10 oranges for breakfast when you would normally eat only one.

Foods not included in this Daniel fast:

• Sugar, sugar substitutes and sugar products (desserts, soft drinks, etc.)

• Table or Box Salt

• Drinks including caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.)

• All bread, enriched grains, and white rice

• Meats: red meat, fish, poultry, seafood, etc

• Dairy products: Milk, Cheese, Butter, Eggs, Yogurt, Cream (soy, rice, almond and hemp substitutes are ok)

• Fried Foods

• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

Water:

Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily throughout the fast. This is very important.

Side effects

You may experience moderate to severe headaches for the first day or two as your body rids itself of caffeine, salt, sugar, and various impurities. You may need to take Advil or aspirin. If your doctor has advised against Advil or aspirin, please contact your doctor for an alternative.

Important exceptions

Use your discretion along with the advice of your physician and prayer to modify the Daniel fast to adhere to your medical needs. Anyone with a medical condition related to eating or under the treatment of a physician must consult their doctor before proceeding. Also, if you have extreme difficulty with the fast, such as impairment of your ability to work at your job, you will have to make adjustments. Utilize wisdom. Seek the Lord and discuss it with other Christians involved in the fast to find alternatives.

“God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach . . . It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ.” (Romans 14, The Message)