Foods Approved for the Daniel Fast

– Vegetables: all fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned vegetables

– Fruit: all fresh, frozen, dried (with no added sugar), juiced and canned fruit 

– Whole grains: amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, millet. Freekeh, oats, purple rice, wild rice, whole wheat, spelt, forghum, rye, quinoa

– Beans and legumes: black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, split beans, black-eyed peas

– Oils: coconut, olive, sesame, etc., but not for deep-frying

– Nuts and seeds: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, soy nuts, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds

– Unleavened bread, herbs, spices, and seasonings

– Beverages: water, some fruit juice, unsweetened non-dairy milk

Foods Not Approved for the Daniel Fast

– Alcohol

– Added sugars: any foods with added sugar are prohibited, agave, artificial sweeteners, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar, molasses, etc.

– Meat: beef, bison, chicken, goat, lamb, pork, turkey, fish

– Dairy: butter, cheese, cream, milk, yogurt

– Eggs are prohibited

– Yeast: this includes all leavened bread 

– Refined grains: white rice, white flour

– Processed food: any food with artificial flavorings, colorings, chemicals, additives, and preservatives are prohibited

– Fried food: corn chips, potato chips, French fries, fried vegetables (tempura) etc.

– Solid fats: butter, lard, margarine, shortening

– Chocolate: milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark, syrup, cacao

– Caffeinated drinks

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Westend61