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Daniel Fast   Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel 1:1-21 New International Version (NIV)

Daniel’s Training in Babylon

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia[a] and put in the treasure house of his god.

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.[b] 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

What to Expect during the Fast:

When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus' example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.

When you fast: Expect to get to know God better. As you demonstrate sincerity to God, you can expect the hand of God to move to answer your prayers. Expect your prayers to go to a higher level. How to succeed in fasting: Fast with friends. Matthew 18:19 Fast with a purpose (Make you a list of what you want God to bless you with). Set a start date and end date. Be determine that you will follow through on the fast. Stay away from negative people while you are fasting! Spend time with God. **Pray 3 time daily while you are fasting!

Fasting does not work if you do not pray!​

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast…

All fruits:

These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch for added sugar).

Apples, Guava

Apricots, Honeydew melons

Avocados, Kiwi

Bananas, Lemons

Berries, Limes

Blackberries, Mangoes

Blueberries, Melons

Boysenberries, Mulberry

Breadfruit, Nectarines

Cantaloupe, Oats

Cherries, Olives

Coconuts, Oranges

Cranberries, Papayas

Dates,  Peaches

Figs,  Pears

Grapefruit,  Pineapples

Grapes,  Plums

Grenadine Prunes

Raspberries,  Raisins

Strawberries,  Tangelos

Tangerines,  Watermelon


Vegetables:

These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch salt content).

Artichokes,  Onions

Asparagus, Parsley

Beets,  Peppers

Broccoli,  Potatoes

Brussels sprouts,  Radishes

Cabbage,  Rutabagas

Carrots,  Scallions

Cauliflower,  Spinach

Celery,  Sprouts

Chili peppers,  Squashes

Collard greens,  Sweet potatoes

Corn,  Tomatoes

Cucumbers,  Turnips

Eggplant,  Watercress

Garlic,  Yams

Ginger root,   Zucchini

Kale,  Mushrooms

Leeks,  Mustard greens

Lettuce,  Okra


Legumes:

Dried beans,  Green beans

Black beans,  Green peas

Cannellini,  Kidney beans

Pinto beans,  Peanuts

Split peas,  Beans

Lentils,  Lentils

Black eyed peas,  Lupines

White Peas


Seeds:

All nuts (raw, unsalted) Sunflower

Sprouts,  Sesame

Ground flax,  Almonds

Cashews, Natural Almond, 

Walnuts

Whole Grains:

Whole wheat Barley

Brown rice,  Grits (no butter) Whole wheat pasta

Quinoa Whole wheat tortillas

Oats Plain,  Rice cakes

Rolled Oats,  Popcorn (homemade)

Plain Oatmeal- not instant


Liquids:

Water (spring, distilled, filtered)

Unsweetened Soy Milk

Herbal (caffeine free) Tea

100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no added sugar)


Other:

Tofu

Soy products

Herbs

Small amounts of Honey

Small amounts of Sea Salt

Small amounts of Ezekiel Bread

Small amounts of Olive Oil

Spices (read the label to be sure there are no preservatives)


Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast…

All animal products including all meat, poultry, fish…

White rice

White bread

All deep fried foods

Caffeine

Coffee (including decaf b/c contains small amount of caffeine)

Carbonated beverages

Energy drinks

Foods containing preservatives, additives

Refined foods

Processed foods

Food additives

Refined sugar

Sugar substitutes

Raw sugar

Syrups

Molasses

Cane juice

White flour

Margarine

Shortening

High fat products

Butter

All leavened breads

Baked goods

All dairy

Milk

Cheese

Yogurt

Cream

Eggs

Alcohol

Mayonnaise


Daniel's Food Questions


What about prepared foods?

Read the labels of all prepared foods. Remember the Daniel Fast is sugar-free and chemical-free. So, if you use any canned fruits, vegetables, packaged foods, or prepared sauces you must read the label to be aware about just what is in there.


What about pasta?

Make sure the label says whole grain pasta with no additives (watch for sugar). Whole grain pasta offers 7 grams of protein per serving (3/4 cup of dried pasta).

I know it says raw, unsalted nuts, but what about roasted nuts?

The goal would be to stick to raw, unsalted nuts. But these are harder to find so in a pinch just make sure you get plain roasted, unsalted nuts with no preservatives.


How do I get enough protein in my diet while on the fast?

The following are protein-rich foods that are allowed on the Daniel Fast… almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas, whole grains, and tofu.

What kind of peanut butter is allowed?

A natural peanut butter with no additives…watch for sugars including molasses. Smucker’s creamy natural peanut butter has nothing but peanuts in it.


How can I identify whole grain foods?

Another way to identify whole grains in the foods you eat is to look in the nutritional facts information and check if the food item contains dietary fiber.

If it contains a significant amount, it most likely contains whole grains. "Wheat flour" is not a whole grain and therefore does not indicate a whole grain product.


What about salad dressing?

Olive oil and lemon or lime are an option or you can have the Italian Dressing check the label for sugars.

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Do I need to eat organic foods while on the fast?

No, but it is suggested because organic foods are produced without the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin and without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.


How much can I eat?

As long as they are the appropriate foods, we are recommending eating until satisfied with no limits.


What about popcorn?

Corn is listed in the vegetables to eat list. Yes you can eat popcorn. No butter. No salt, but you can use Sea Salt. You can have vegan butter.

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Daniel Fast Recipes

Veggie Chili

4 cans of kidney beans 3 cans of stewed tomatoes 1 pack of Mild Chili Seasoning Mix Veggie Ground (Found in Health Section at Kroger’s)


Veggie Spaghetti

Onions, Red Bell Peppers, Green Bell Peppers and Mushroom Veggie Ground Organic Spaghetti Sauce Whole Grain Spaghetti

Cook veggies first add veggie ground cook 3 more minutes, then add Spaghetti Sauce. In separate pan cook the Whole Grain Spaghetti Noodles.


Veggie Lo Mein

Broccoli, Onion, Red Bell Peppers, Green Bell Peppers, Carrots, Mushroom Unsalted Soy Sauce or Low Salted Soy Sauce Whole Grain Spaghetti Noodles

DIRECTIONS:

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vegetable oil. In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions; drain well.

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add Broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes..

Stir in egg noodles and soy sauce, and gently toss to combine.


Cabbage

Cabbage, vegetable oil, Ham Goya and water

Cut cabbage up in small pieces. Put a ½ cup of water in pan with 2 tablespoons of oil and 2 packages of Ham Goya. Cook the Dark Green leaves, first for about 5 minutes, then add the lighter green cabbage. Put the top on the pot. Cut the stove down very low and let the cabbage steam until they are done.

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Brown Rice w/vegetable or Stir Frye Vegetable

Brown Rice, Broccoli Spears, Carrots, Corn Stir Fry Sauce

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Sweet Potatoes

Vegetable Oil, Cinnamon

Wash the potatoes, put oil in pan. Bake the potatoes until done. When done add Earth Balance Butter (Vegetarian Butter) and Cinnamon.

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Veggie Burger in Gravy

Veggie Burger (Morning Star-Grillers Prime) Onion, Red & Green Bell Pepper Brown Gravy Vegetable Oil

Put oil in pan and cut the stove down low. Then cut up the onion put in pan and let them cook, then cut up red bell pepper and put in pan, then cut up green bell and let cook. Then put the top on pan and let cook for 5 minutes. Then add the brown gravy. Let cook for 5 minutes. Now put the veggie burger in microwave about 2 minutes, then put the veggie burgers in gravy at let cook for 10 minutes. Then Serve

Salads Recipes

Regular Salad

Romaine Blend (Romaine Lettuce), Broccoli, Cucumber, Spinach, Red Bell Pepper and Tomatoes Italian Dressing

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Carrot Salad

Grated Carrots

Raisins 

Pineapple (Fresh) 

Vegenaise

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English Pea Salad

Fresh cooked English peas

½ of red onion

½ of red Bell Pepper 

1 cup of brown rice (cooked)

½ stalk of celery

Italian Dressing Mix Salad and put in refigerator

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Broccoli Salad

10 spears of raw Broccoli 

Raisin 

Cherry tomatoes 

(slice) Red Onion 

Red Bell Pepper 

Vegenaise                                                                                                             

Example of The Daniel Fast Breakfast

Breakfast

Oatmeal w/walnuts, pecans and raisins and a little of cinnamon Silk Almond Milk 

Banana or any fruit \

Hot Cinnamon Tea or 100% Fruit Juice


Breakfast

1 Bowl of Cheerios (Whole Grain) 

Silk Almond Milk 

Strawberries or any fruit 

Hot Cinnamon Tea or 100% Fruit Juice


Breakfast

Scramble Tofu 

Baked Potato Wedges 

1 Bowl of Ambrosia 

Hot Cinnamon Tea or 100% Fruit Juice


Breakfast

Total Cereal w/raisins – Whole Grain (Check the Sugar) 

Silk Almond Milk 

Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Honey Dew Melon 

Hot Cinnamon Tea or 100% Fruit Juice   


Example of The Daniel Fast Lunch

Lunch

Salad 

Veggie Spaghetti Cabbage 

Water or 100% Fruit Juice


Lunch

Salad (Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli, Cucumber, Tomato) 

Italian Dressing 

Veggie Lo Mein 

Baked Potato w/(steamed onions, green & red bell peppers, mushroom cooked in homemade Worcestershire sauce) 

Water or 100% Fruit Juice


Lunch

Carrot Salad 

Vegetable Soup Baked Potato Wedges 

Water or 100% Fruit Juice


Lunch

Green Beans Salad 

Veggie Chili

Water or 100% Fruit Juice

Example of The Daniel Fast Dinner

Dinner

Collard

Sweet Potato 

Brown Rice/w Vegetables 

Squash 

Flat Corn Bread (Corn Meal and Water) 

Water or 100% Fruit Juice


Dinner

Vegetable Stir Fry on Brown Rice 

Sweet Potato Souffle’ 

Cabbage

Okra 

Flat Corn Bread Water or 100% Fruit Juice


Dinner

Green Beans 

Corn on The Cob

Okra

Sweet Potato Wedges

Brown Rice w/vegetable 

Veggie Burger cooked in veggie gravy, onion, green & red peppers

Flat Corn Bread 

Banana Split Water or 100% Fruit Juice

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