The Daniel Fast is a short-term, faith-based eating plan inspired by the biblical account of the prophet Daniel. This regimen is a spiritual discipline where participants abstain from certain foods to focus on prayer. The fast is fundamentally plant-based and excludes all animal products, meaning fish is definitively not allowed. This restriction is intended to encourage spiritual growth and discipline, not serve as a means of weight loss.
The Foundational Guidelines of the Daniel Fast
The modern Daniel Fast is a partial fast, restricting certain foods while still consuming others, typically for 21 days. This period draws from Daniel chapter 10, where Daniel abstained from “pleasant bread,” “meat,” or “wine.” The fast also references Daniel chapter 1, where Daniel and his companions ate only “vegetables and water” for 10 days instead of the king’s rich food.
The core principle is restricting “delicacies” or “rich foods,” which historically meant abstaining from the royal table. Participants today apply this by eliminating indulgent and processed foods. The goal is to choose simple, whole foods, focusing on spiritual reflection and seeking a closer connection to the divine.
Food Exclusions: Why Fish Is Not Allowed
The Daniel Fast is an entirely plant-based eating plan, strictly prohibiting all forms of animal flesh. This comprehensive exclusion means fish, poultry, red meat, and shellfish are not permitted. Prohibiting seafood aligns with the fast’s core principle of abstaining from “meat” or “flesh,” which are considered rich foods.
Other Prohibited Items
Exclusions extend beyond animal products to eliminate heavily processed foods and artificial ingredients. Disallowed items include:
- All dairy products (milk, cheese, butter) and eggs.
- Sweeteners, both natural and artificial (table sugar, honey, agave nectar, corn syrup).
- Leavened bread, baked goods containing yeast, and refined grains (white flour, white rice).
- Deep-fried foods and solid fats (shortening, margarine).
- Beverages other than water, including coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and most herbal teas.
Allowed Foods: The Plant-Based Focus
The Daniel Fast encourages consuming whole, plant-based foods that align with the principle of eating simply.
Allowed foods include:
- All fruits: Fresh, frozen, dried, or canned, provided they contain no added sugar or preservatives.
- All vegetables: Allowed in any form, including leafy greens, root vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables.
- Whole grains: Options include brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats, and whole wheat pasta.
- Legumes: Sources of plant-based protein, such as all types of beans, lentils, and split peas.
- Nuts and seeds: Fully permitted, including nut butters, provided they have no added salt or sugars.
Water is the primary beverage. Plant-based oils like olive and avocado oil are allowed for minimal use in cooking.