My husband and I have been making these Daniel Fast recipes every year in January for about the last ten years.
It started with our church taking part in it, and we loved it so much we have continued. If you've read the Book of Daniel in the Bible, you may recall the prophet Daniel would not eat from the king's table. This is where the idea of this fast comes from.
It's important to note that the Daniel Fast is not just meant as a fast for your physical body, but it is a spiritual program, too. You'll see resources as you continue to read, and I do encourage you to take part in the spiritual aspect of the fast, as well.
As far as eating goes, this is not your typical fast where you don't eat at all. It's just eating really healthy, and a partial fast from certain foods. In addition to feeling better, you'll be giving a boost to your immune system.
You do take a break from meat, dairy, sweeteners, deep-fried foods, solid fats, leavened bread, and alcohol while on this diet.
That means no wine for this girl while on the fast!
The first question people ask when starting out is, what are the foods I can eat on the Daniel Fast?
This is why I've gathered recipes from my favorite sites to give you ideas right away. Starting the program without recipes is really hard. I've been there!
Learn more about the Daniel Fast food list before beginning. This post about preparing for the Daniel Fast will also help. This is not an exhaustive list, but it will help you get started on the right foot.
What You Can Eat on the Daniel Fast
There really is so much you can eat, so don't get hung up on what you can't eat! Whole foods are so much better for you, and you'll discover new flavors!
You can eat all vegetables like leafy greens, kale, butternut squash, bok choy, carrots, and eggplant. The only thing you have to watch here is vegetables that aren't fresh as they could have added sugar, food additives, or other ingredients that aren't healthy.
You can eat canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, etc., but be aware that many companies add sugar to tomatoes.
I was shocked when I saw how many canned items have sugar in them! It's actually hard to find canned tomatoes that don't add sugar. Sad, right?
You can also eat all fresh fruits and canned fruits, with the same guidelines as above.
Any seeds, such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and nuts including nut butter, are allowed on the fast. Again, watch for sugar. As an example, Justin's almond butter has a variety with no sugar, but they also have varieties that do contain sugar.
You can eat all whole grains such as barley, oats, and brown rice. You do have to give up whole grain bread, as yeast is not allowed.
Legumes are allowed, such as black beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, white beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and navy beans. Again, watch the label for sugar.
Healthy liquid oils are also allowed. This includes canola oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and others.
Remember that oils can go rancid pretty quickly. If you've always bought giant bottles of oil that lasted for years, know that extra virgin olive oil goes bad in 12-18 months, and avocado oil should really be tossed after about 8 months.
Also, buy good quality oils and you'll notice a difference.
What You Can't Eat
No animal products are allowed in the Daniel Fast recipes, including seafood.
Dairy products are also not allowed on the fast. That means no milk, cheese, butter, or eggs.
Let me just say that when I began taking part in this fast, you really could not find substitutions for these items.
Now, you can easily find non-dairy cheese, and unsweetened coconut milk has fewer calories and more calcium than cow's milk.
You may be permanently replacing items you typically eat!
Leavening products are not allowed, which eliminates bread. You can make your own bread by searching for unleavened bread.
Typical sweeteners are not allowed, including sugar, raw sugar, artificial sweeteners, honey, molasses, and agave.
Some Daniel Fast food lists also eliminate date syrup as a sweetener. I feel like if you can eat dates, you can eat date paste. It also makes a great natural sweetener for salad dressings.
No white rice or white flour is allowed. No processed foods are allowed.
No deep-fried foods are allowed, which eliminates deep fried french fries and potato chips. You can make fries in the oven! Oven sweet potato fries are one of my favorite foods all year long and make a great side or snack while you're on the fast.
No solid fats like butter, margarine, or shortening.
No coffee, tea, sodas, or alcohol.
The bonus is that most people lose weight eating this way, too. In fact, if you don't experience weight loss, it's probably because you aren't reading labels.
You'll find a couple of great books on Amazon that will help you understand the diet in full, including the 21-day Daniel Fast meal plan.
Some of these recipes may be for an evening when you have more time but, remember, there are so many easy recipes like spaghetti squash topped with marinara sauce that make a wonderful meal and are perfectly compliant with the Fast.
Remember to drink lots of water as you'll probably be consuming more fiber than you're used to. Let's get that digestive system healthy!
Enjoy, and please come back and let me know if you've created a Daniel Fast recipe I can add.
This is my list of favorite Daniel Fast recipes. I'll keep adding as a find and make more, so be sure to check back.
15 Daniel Fast Recipes
Roasted Vegetable Soup from Food, Fun & Faraway Places
This soup is so delicious you are going to be making it all the time. Some of these recipes are just too good to believe they are so healthy!
Quinoa Tacos from Food, Fun & Faraway Places
These Quinoa Tacos are amazing and might just have your kids asking for those vegan tacos! Perfect for Taco Tuesday or Meatless Monday. Make it festive!
Sweet Potato Wraps from Food, Fun & Faraway Places
These wraps may just become your new favorite sandwich all year long!
Authentic Tabbouleh from Food, Fun & Faraway Places
This tabbouleh recipe is so fresh and delicious. Make a big batch and serve it alongside hummus.
Italian Bean Soup | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
This soup was so good, and even better the next day. Yay for leftovers!
Hearty Lentil Stew | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
I recently made this stew after learning how in a cooking class in Jordan. So delicious!
Black Eyed Pea Soup | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
Why do people save this for New Year's Day? It's so delicious! This recipe deserves to be served at least once every couple of months!
Vegan Stuffed Zucchini | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
This recipe is super easy to make and the flavors are incredible!
Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes | delightful adventures
These sweet potatoes look so indulgent, don't they? Rest assured, they are 100% Daniel Fast friendly! I can't wait to make these myself!
Vegetarian Ceviche Dip | April Go Lightly
April and I have been friends for a long time, and this is one of her favorite recipes. Omit pita chips for Daniel Fast.
Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili with Bulgur Wheat Recipe | Thrifty Jinxy
Chili is one thing my whole family loves, and when we're doing the fast, we really don't miss the meat. Get the recipe here.
Baked Kale Chips Recipe | Couponing for 4
Kale chips are really all the rage these days. Isn't it funny how vegetables we wouldn't eat as kids are back in vogue now?
Kale Ceasar Salad | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
Kale salads are hugely popular. I see them on the menu in restaurants all the time. Of course, not all Ceasar salads are Daniel approved. This is one of my favorite Daniel Fast recipes.
Vegetarian Chili Recipe | Mom Foodie
Doesn't this look good? You don't need meat to create a hearty chili! Omit the sour cream and cheese for the Daniel Fast. Get the recipe here.
Cauliflower Rice | The Holy Mess
Why someone didn't come up with this sooner, I just don't know. You can even buy the cauliflower already 'riced' in bags now at the store. Why buy when you can DIY? You can find the recipe here.
Smokey Roasted Carrot, Avocado & Black Bean Salad | from Mom Foodie
Another one from Mom Foodie. Anything with avocado is delicious in my book! Get the list of ingredients and directions here.
Healthy Black Bean Burgers | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
These are really easy to make and so much better than store-bought veggie burgers. I love them!
Ratatouille Quinoa Soup | Mom Foodie
This is a hearty soup perfect for a chilly evening. Isn't soup just the ultimate comfort food? Get the recipe here.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks | Food, Fun & Faraway Places
This recipe is super flavorful and easy to make!
Sesame Crusted Eggplant | Mom Foodie
Do you like eggplant? I didn't the first time I tried it but realized it just wasn't prepared well. I think you'll really like this recipe. Get the details here.
Vegan Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy | Caring Carrot
When you're craving comfort food, this is your recipe. Caring Carrot has a new cookbook out full of Daniel Fast recipes and it's free with Amazon Prime. Get this recipe.
Vegan Grain Stuff Mushrooms | Cara's Cravings
Mushrooms are such a great tool for stuffing! We eat stuffed mushrooms a lot throughout the year. Grab the recipe here.
Morning Daniel Fast Recipes
Smoothies are easy for an on the go breakfast or snack. My two favorite Daniel Fast recipes for breakfast right now are this almond milk smoothie and this blueberry banana smoothie made with toasted flaxseed. So delicious paired with this easy muffin recipe!
This 3 Ingredient Juice is such an easy recipe and certainly worth a try if you're having joint pain because it's all-natural.
The Daniel Fast doesn't allow caffeine, so just omit the tea or use an herb blend for this Tropical Smoothie.
And for a filling breakfast, try this Tropical Coconut Oatmeal Porridge or this Baked Oatmeal with blueberries.
Daniel Fast Recipes for Lunch and Dinner
Looking for more Daniel Fast Recipes? Check out this roundup of 12 easy & healthy Daniel Fast Recipes.
Be sure to visit my Daniel Fast recipes Pinterest board for even more ideas.
Angelique
Good Morning Kelly!
Thanks for helping me kick off my fast! It was nice and quick getting a ton of recipes all in one spot.
Kelly Stilwell
You're welcome! Please let me know which recipes you tried! If you have time to give them 5 stars, I'd so appreciate it!
Sara @ The Holy Mess
Wonderful healthy recipes! I shared this on my facebook page. Thank you for including a couple of mine from my website.