Interested in Daniel and fasting biblically in 2024? In this post I share with you a big list of tips, bible verses on fasting, a free 7 Day meal plan, shopping list, cookbook list, and how to get started. If you’re ready to grow spiritually, mentally and physically this year, keep reading.
Here’s a video of this guide on YouTube:
Ultimate Guide to Daniel Fasting in 2024
Here’s my quick start guide to the Daniel Fast diet this year.
What is the Daniel Fast?
- The Daniel Fast is a term used to describe how Daniel, in the Old Testament Bible, ate during his time in captivity by the Babylonian king.
- Daniel Fasting also is used to describe Daniel’s diet when he abstained from “tasteful” foods.
10 Day Daniel Fast
The king wanted Daniel to be a warrior for his army and for him to eat a diet of the king’s food during his training. Instead, Daniel requested to eat only “vegetables and water” so he wouldn’t defile his body with the king’s food, which was very decadent and included lots of meat and wine.
The king’s chief agreed to this diet for ten days. After the ten days, Daniel and the other young men who also fasted were noticeably better performing than the other men. So, Daniel continued on this diet for three weeks, and then longer.
Is Daniel Fasting biblical?
To determine if Daniel’s diet mentioned in chapters 1 and 10 is considered biblical fasting, first let’s review the biblical definition for the term “fasting” from Biblegateway.com:
FAST, FASTING: To abstain from food or the period in which the abstinence takes place.
According to BibleGateway.com, there are several reasons and ways to fast.
Daniel fasted in two ways for different reasons, including:
3. Preparation for revelation. In the cases of Moses (Exod 34:28; Deut 9:9, 18) and Daniel (Dan 9:3) fasting was engaged in as a preparation for receiving revelation.
As well as another form of fasting, described as:
A weakened form of fasting might involve abstinence from wine, flesh, dainty food, and from anointing oneself for an extended period such as three weeks (Dan 10:2f.).
So yes, Daniel Fasting is biblical.
However, the term Daniel Fasting has become known as the weakened biblical version of fasting which focuses on abstaining from certain foods which promote sin and defile the body.
Daniel’s diet
Many people today enjoy biblical fasting using Daniel’s diet which consisted of food and drink that were not “tasteful”, meaning those which did not cause sin like cravings, lust, drunkenness or gluttony.
This fast can be done for any number of days, however 7, 10, 21, and 40 days are the most common.
Verses from the bible about fasting
The Old and New Testaments reference fasting many times, mostly during times when someone wanted to get closer to God, rebuke evil, practice self-control and not defile their body. Here’s some fasting scripture and related from the New King James Version:
Exodus 15:26
“and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
Ezra 8:21
“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.”
Psalm 35:13
“I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.”
Psalm 69:10
“When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.”
Proverbs 13:25
“The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.”
Chapter 1 Daniel 5-6
“And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah…”
Daniel 1:8-16
“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; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”
So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.”
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.”
Matthew 6:16-18
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 17:18-21
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Mark 9:28-29
“And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
1 Corinthians 7:4-6
“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Why do Daniel’s Fast?
There are many reasons to do a Daniel Fast, including spiritual health, mental health and physical health. Many people report feeling closer to God by fasting because they are focused on practicing self-control by omitting foods that promote sins like gluttony and lust for foods and drinks.
The main focus on fasting is to not focus on the food, but instead on prayer and God.
Committing to a fast for a period of time allows time to do this. Keeping to a simple nutritious diet gives you time and energy to focus on self-control and abstaining from sin.
Who can do a Daniel Fast diet?
Anyone can do a Daniel Fast! Prior to making any changes to your diet, consult your health care physician.
What foods can be enjoyed on a Daniel Fast diet?
The Daniel Fast isn’t a super strict fast, meaning any amount of food can be enjoyed. This is not a starvation fast or dry fast.
Instead, this type of fast is about abstaining from foods and beverages you crave, and eating nutritious foods your body needs to thrive.
Eating a simple diet with lots of plant-based foods is helpful for clearing our minds to focus on God, rebuke evil, and abstain from sinful behaviors. It’s all about self-control.
List of foods to eat
Generally, people who do a Daniel Fast eat the following foods as desired:
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Water
- Salt
- Fruit oils like olive, avocado and coconut
- Seasonings
- Sauces
- Minimally processed plant-based butters, milks and cheeses
Foods to avoid
And, generally abstain from the following foods:
- Animal products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, shellfish and fish
- Processed sugars and syrups
- White flour and white rice
- Processed additives, flavorings, preservatives
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Soda
- Stimulants
- Yeast, baking soda and baking powder (leavening)
- Candy, confections, pastries
- Deep Fried foods
10 day, 21 day and 40 days biblical fasting
If you plan to do the Daniel Fast for 40 days or an extended period of time, it’s important to ensure you are getting enough nutrition and water each day.
Keep your healthcare physician notified so they can recommend a blood test if needed to determine if your body is low on specific vitamins and minerals, and can make recommendations for supplementation or foods.
It is important to consume healthy amounts of foods and water so you are full after each meal and hydrated. If you are hungry, eat more food. There is no need to feel hungry on a Daniel Fast.
The menu plan in this blog post contains a variety of meals packed with vitamins and nutrition to give you an idea of how much to eat and types of foods to eat to maintain a nutritious diet during the Daniel Fast.
Additionally, many people on a long term Daniel Fast supplement with natural forms (avoid synthetic forms) of Vitamins such as B6,9 & 12, and D.
When is a good time to start Daniel’s Fast?
Anytime is a good time to start a Daniel Fast! However, the best time to start a fast is when you are absolutely ready to commit to the fast. It’s a good idea to prepare yourself and your kitchen before actually starting the fast.
Prior to starting clean out your kitchen, pantry and refrigerator, grocery shop, and make a commitment to yourself by creating a Fasting Journal. Make sure you have a clear understanding of why you want to do the Daniel Fast. Prepare for temptations throughout the fasting period. When you have done these things, then begin the fast the next day.
Prepare for Daniel Fast
Here’s 6 steps to prepare for Daniel Fasting:
How to do a simple 7-Day Daniel Fast
Getting started is easy. Here’s a list of steps to start a Daniel Fast:
- Learn about the Daniel Fast by reading the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible, as well as reviewing the 5 benefits of the Daniel Fast
- Decide what to eat
- Make a meal plan or use the 7 Day Daniel Fast Meal Plan PDF
- Create a shopping list or use the 7 Day Daniel Fast Shopping List PDF
- Clean out kitchen, refrigerator and pantry of tempting foods
- Review the Recommended meal prep equipment for Daniel Fasting and Meal prep
- Start a Daniel Fast journal or the 7 Day Daniel Fast Journal PDF
- Set a start date for your fast
- Consult your physician about your menu and then begin your fast!
What I meal prep for Daniel Fast
Here’s a blog post with video sharing a brief overview of what I eat in a day during this fast:
Quick Daniel Fast meals
Here’s a blog post with nine easy meals for this fast including breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.
Simple Daniel Fast Shopping List
Here’s a list of budget groceries to purchase for the meal plan in this blog post. Choose organic if possible.
- Download a free printable of this shopping list
Purchase enough of each item to eat 1-2 servings per day per person. Substitute any ingredients you cannot consume with anything similar:
Fresh Foods
- Celery
- Bell Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Broccoli, Cauliflower, and/or Brussel Sprouts
- Spinach
- Apples
- Onions
- Garlic
- Grapefruit, Lemons, and/or Oranges
- Bananas
- Avocados
Pantry & Refrigerator
- Garbanzo beans, canned
- Pinto beans, canned
- Tahini (sesame seed butter)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Vegan butter
- Vegan mayo
- Firm tofu
- Cumin powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Canned Tomatoes
- Almond butter
- Whole grain Unleavened Bread or Dailey Foods Unleavened Whole Wheat Bread Mix
- Salt
- Brown Rice
- Brazil Nuts
- Dried Dates, pitted
- Hemp seeds, shelled
- Flax seeds, ground
- Cacao powder
- Turmeric powder, optional
- Salsa, optional
- Hot sauce, optional
- Lemon juice, bottled or fresh lemons
- Non-dairy Milk
- Stevia extract, optional
Where to shop for Daniel Fast meals
Food for a Daniel Fast can be purchased basically anywhere food is sold.
For example:
- Grocery stores
- Discount grocery stores
- Farmer’s Market
- Food banks
- Farm stands
- Amazon.com
24 best foods to buy for a Daniel Fast
Meal prep equipment
Here’s a list of recommended meal prep and food serving equipment
- Food processor
- Blender
- Air fryer
- Rice cooker
- Cooking pots and pans with lids
- Oven
- Stove
- Baking sheets
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Cooking utensils
- Meal prep containers
- Glass jars for storing beverages
- Dish soap
- Dish sponges
- Dish drying rack
- Plates, silverware, napkins
- Water bottle
View my recommended meal prep equipment list
7 Day Daniel Fast Meal Plan
Here’s a simple menu of recipes on a budget for getting started. Repeat this menu every week if desired!
- Download a free printable of this meal plan
Days 1, 2, 3 & 4
- Daniel Fast Smoothie
- Hot Cacao Drink
- Oatmeal or Oat Bars
- Fruit, Berries & Nuts or Brazil Nut Milk
- Easy everyday lunch meal prep
- Queso, Beans, Greens & Rice Bowl
Days 5, 6 & 7
- Daniel Fast Smoothie
- Hot Cacao Drink
- Breakfast scramble with Greens
- Fruit, Berries & Nuts or Brazil Nut Milk
- Easy everyday lunch meal prep
- Roasted Potatoes and Vegetables
Here’s a video about this menu:
Fasting Journal Printable
Tracking your progress throughout your fast is fun and easy. It’s also helpful to record your experience. The free Fasting Journal PDF linked below also contains bible verses to keep you in God’s Word each day.
Cookbooks
Here’s a list of recommended cookbooks for Daniel and fasting biblically with affiliate links to Amazon:
