"At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 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." Daniel 10:2-3
The Daniel Fast is a type of fast that's based on the prophet Daniel's actions in Daniel 10. The prophet goes through a 21-day fast to help him seek a better understanding of God's will. Unlike many other fasts, which involve eschewing all food and/or drink for a certain amount of time, the Daniel Fast involves avoiding meats, wine and other rich foods.
Typically, when someone participates in a Daniel Fast, they avoid:
Over the 21-day fast, participants tend to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains such as quinoa and oats. Primarily, they drink water, but many people also incorporate certain herbal teas into their fast for hydration.
Individuals who've gone through the Daniel Fast report a variety of benefits, including:
If the Daniel Fast sounds like something you'd like to try, make sure you approach it in a healthy, logical fashion. Follow the tips below to engage in this Biblical practice safely.
Talk to your doctor or dietitian before making any major changes in your diet, including a fast. It's especially important to consider how a sudden change in your diet may impact chronic disease management or interact with medications you take.
As you enter the fast, be prepared to monitor blood sugar, blood pressure or other health metrics closely, especially if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiac issues. You may still be able to participate in a Daniel Fast, but it's essential to proactively understand how major dietary changes impact your body so you can alter what you're doing to support overall health.
You might want to add supplements to ensure you're getting enough vitamin D, calcium or minerals you mostly get from foods like meat or dairy in your day-to-day diet. While the plant-based Daniel Fast is high in nutritional value, not everyone likes every fruit, veggie or legume, and you may find it hard to meet all your vitamin needs without a supplement.
Ensure your meals have enough proteins and healthy fats to replace meat and dairy. High-protein foods you might include are nuts, quinoa and beans. Leafy greens like spinach and kale also provide protein along with other good nutrients like iron and antioxidants. Avocados, olive oil and nuts are excellent sources of healthy fats when added in moderation.
If you have any concerns about staying medically healthy through the fast, consider small modifications. For example, if your health care provider has concerns about you getting enough protein, you might incorporate several meals each week of lean protein like fish. You can still get the spiritual benefits of the fast by approaching a modified version with a humble heart open to any message God might have for you in those 3 weeks.
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