Wondering what the best foods to buy for a Daniel Fast are? In this post I share a list of some of the cheapest and healthiest foods to include in a Daniel Fast diet. Keep reading for recipes using these ingredients and links to purchase online.
What are Daniel Fast foods?
Daniel Fast is a term used to describe the fasting diet Daniel, from the Old Testament of the Bible, consumed during his time in captivity by the Babylonian king. He consumed a diet of “vegetables and water” and “no meat or wine” because he did not want to consume the king’s delicacies which he believed would defile his body.
Here’s the biblical scripture about the Daniel Fast:
Daniel 1:8
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;”
After ten days fasting this way, Daniel and the other men who fasted with him were noticeably stronger and better looking than the other warriors in training.
Daniel fasted several times. In Chapter 10 he fasted for 3 weeks:
Daniel 10:3
“I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Why do this type of fast?
Fasting was common in biblical times and was recommended to get closer to God and break free from sin.
Foods to eat on a Daniel Fast
Daniel ate a diet which he called “vegetables and water”. However, many people follow a simple, whole food plant based diet while Daniel Fasting. Others choose to just eliminate foods or drinks they are addicted to as a Daniel Fast. So, you can eat any foods you prefer on a Daniel Fast, however to stay close to what Daniel consumed it’s common to follow a whole food plant based diet.
Foods you can eat on a Daniel Fast include:
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Fruits
- Berries
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fruit oils such as olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil
- Salt
- Seasonings
- Sauces
- Stevia instead of sugar
- Water
- Tea
- Coffee (however many people fast from caffeine)
Foods to avoid on a Daniel Fast
Many people choose to avoid foods they find themselves addicted to, or in other words, foods they find sinful. Here’s a list of foods to not eat while doing this fast:
- Animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, shellfish
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Sugar
- Candy, Pastries, Cookies
- Artificial foods
- Soda
- Caffeine
- Tobacco
And anything else which causes you to sin, or feel cravings and lust for.
24 best foods to buy for a Daniel Fast
Here’s a list of the best foods to buy for this fast and some affiliate links to purchase on Amazon:
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a great whole grain for enjoying with a variety of flavors. It’s part of the dinners in my 7-Day Daniel Fast Meal Plan (free printable PDF). I serve brown rice with Daniel Fast queso sauce recipe and refried pinto beans, shredded cabbage, guacamole.
My favorite brand of organic brown rice to purchase is Lundberg.
- Shop for Organic Lundberg brown rice on Amazon
- Learn more about Lundberg Organic Brown Rice
Vegetables
Here’s a list of the least expensive and most nutritious vegetables to purchase for this fast:
- Celery
- Onions
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussel Sprouts
- Baby Spinach
- Garlic
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is packed with protein and gives dishes a “cheesy” flavor. It’s an ingredient in the Daniel Fast queso sauce recipe. I like to use a non-fortified version (meaning there’s no added synthetic vitamins).
My favorite brand for this ingredient on Amazon is Micro Ingredients. I buy the big bag and it’s lasts a while.
- Shop for Micro Ingredients Non-Fortified Nutritional Yeast on Amazon
- Learn more about Micro Ingredients Organic Nonfortified Nutritional Yeast
Hummus
You can make your own hummus, here’s an easy Daniel Fast hummus recipe. Or, you can buy pre-made hummus if you don’t want to meal prep.
Hummus is part of my Easy everyday lunch meal prep for Daniel Fast meal plan. Serve it with vegetables and unleavened bread. Pair it with the Citrus smoothie recipe if desired.
Hummus is packed with protein and makes a hearty lunch. If you make your own, it’s relatively inexpensive per serving.
Unleavened Bread
Make your own unleavened bread for Daniel Fasting with the Daniel Fast bread recipe or Daniel Fast tortilla recipe (oil-free). Serve this with hummus everyday for lunch during the fast. Flavor with garlic, onion, and fresh herbs. Top with sliced onions and garlic salt before baking if desired.
- Shop Organic whole wheat flour on Amazon
- Shop Organic tahini on Amazon
Cacao Powder
Raw cacao powder is delicious and packed with protein and vitamins and minerals. I drink it every morning of the fast as a Hot Cacao Drink. Simply combine 1-2 tablespoons raw cacao powder with hot water, non-dairy milk and stevia extract (optional).
My favorite brand for organic raw cacao powder is Z Natural Foods. I purchase the bulk bag and it lasts a while.
- Shop for Organic raw cacao powder on Amazon
- Learn more about Z Natural Foods Organic Raw Cacao Powder
Turmeric
Organic turmeric powder is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It’s great for fighting inflammation in the body. I like to add 1 teaspoon turmeric powder to my Hot Cacao Drink mentioned above.
- Shop for Organic turmeric powder on Amazon
Dates
Dates are packed with vitamins and minerals. They also add sweetness to smoothies and baked goods. They are ingredients in the Daniel Fast smoothie recipe and Daniel Fast oatmeal bars recipe for the 7 Day Daniel Fast Menu.
- Shop for Organic dates on Amazon
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are packed with fiber and healthy fats. They’re also an ingredients called for in the Daniel Fast oatmeal bars recipe.
- Shop for Organic ground flax seeds on Amazon
Citrus
Citrus fruits are packed with lots of vitamins and minerals. Learn more about the health benefits of citrus fruits and citrus fruit essential oils (limonene) found in the peels.
Here’s some great options to include in your shopping list for the fast:
- Grapefruit
- Lemon juice
- Oranges
Almond Butter
Almonds are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as protein. A great way to get almonds into your fast is by adding almond butter to your shopping list. This is also an ingredient in the Daniel Fast smoothie recipe.
- Shop for Organic almond butter on Amazon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Organic extra virgin olive oil is a great addition to the Daniel Fast shopping list. It can be used in many recipes and offers a good healthy fat and other vitamins and minerals. It’s an ingredient in the Daniel Fast hummus recipe and Daniel Fast bread recipe.
- Shop for Organic extra virgin olive oil on Amazon
Brazil Nuts
Brazil Nuts are packed with protein and selenium. They also make delicious and creamy plant milk, such as in the Brazil Nut Milk recipe.
- Shop for Organic brazil nuts on Amazon
Further reading:
- Ultimate Guide to Daniel and Fasting Biblically in 2024
- Recommended meal prep equipment for Daniel Fasting
