Several diets claim they can help you alter your body for the better, but the Daniel Fast also claims to enrich your soul In following the Daniel Fast, people attempt to become not only fit and strong on the outside, but also on the inside. You can easily learn what not to eat on a Daniel Fast by following a few guidelines. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Origins
The Daniel Fast is a roughly 10-day, vegan-style diet that finds its roots in the Bible and advocates a temporary fast from not only animal products but also from commercially produced or otherwise processed foods. In the scriptures, Daniel was a Jewish prisoner taken to Babylon. While there, he was among four individuals who were selected to serve the king. As Daniel was true to his faith, he chose to decline the offerings of King Nebuchadnezzar's "rich" food and drink, as it was not kosher. Instead, he requested that he and a few others consume only fruits, vegetables and water for the duration of their stay.
Daniel 1:8 explains, "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself."
By trying to avoid the same foods and drinks that Daniel avoided, those on the Daniel Fast hope to become stronger in their faith while purifying their bodies and spirits.
Foods to Avoid
While on the Daniel Fast, avoid animal products altogether. Alcoholic beverages, caffeine and sweeteners--both natural and artificial--are additionally off-limits. People often have questions about consuming herbal tea when on the Daniel Fast, but those strictly adhering to the diet tend to avoid this too, as Daniel specifically requested having only water to drink.
Check the backs of food labels when shopping for products for the Daniel Fast to make sure you also avoid bleached, stripped or enriched flours, preservatives, additives, chemicals, hydrogenated oils and dyes. By trying to shop strictly the perimeter of the grocery store--or better yet, just frequent a farmer's market--you should be able to avoid most boxed foods, which contain many, if not all of the aforementioned forbidden ingredients.
Tags: Daniel Fast, animal products, defile himself