How to Prepare for a Daniel Fast – Shopping Guide

Today, our journey of achieving excellent health brings us to the Daniel Fast. Of all the choices we make around food and health, fasting is one of the most important, but also one of the most neglected. We’re going to talk about why fasting is important, how to fast, and also specifically how to prepare for a Daniel Fast.

Three Food Disciplines for Christians

There are 3 disciplines we need to learn and apply in our lives as Christians. 

#1: Eating. 

Yeah, I know. You may be thinking that I’m being really shallow. 

But many people have misconstrued concepts around food. They eat because of a void in their life, instead of due to hunger. 

Many people eat for emotional reasons. Spiritual reasons. Physical reasons.

We want to become aware of the reasons we eat. To identify how we think about food to help us attain the best health possible. And learn to eat for the glory of God.

Did you know that’s possible? It is!

#2: Prayer

This isn’t number 2 because it’s less important food! It’s as essential to our spiritual health as eating is to our physical health.

Many people don’t think of prayer in relation to eating and their physical health beyond a blessing before a meal. But prayer, even prayers around food, are so much more important than that.

A rich prayer life cultivates a rich, vibrant, healthy life.

#3 Fasting

When you learn the discipline of fasting, life takes on a whole new catapulting experience of understanding and seeing God working in your life.

Fasting isn’t a magic pill or wand. It’s becoming more attuned to what God wants to do in your life.

Why Daniel Fast

The Daniel fast is a simple first step in fasting. It was for me and my family. A Daniel fast launched us on our health journey years ago. You can read more about my testimony and our exclusive Daniel fast program here.

Maybe you’ve been on a health journey a long time, but haven’t fasted before. Perhaps you’ve done a 24-hour fast, but not a 21 day specialty fast like this. Three weeks may sound unattainable, but it is more than possible!

No matter where you are, this is a great place to be. The Daniel fast is relatively easy to implement and has tremendous benefits. They include, but are not limited to:

• A focus shift from relying on food to relying on God
• The decrease in aches and pains from eating inflammatory foods
• Increased energy
• Greater self-control
• Weight loss
• Refreshed spirit
• Spiritual and emotional breakthroughs

Those are great outcomes!

Amazing for health and well-being, fasting is good for the body, and also good for the soul.

Discover the breakthrough you’ve been searching for and gain a more intimate relationship with God through the Daniel fast.

To be set up for success for these wonderful blessings, it’s always best to plan and prepare ahead.

Preparing for the Daniel Fast

Like with any fast, preparation is needed. But specifically, because Daniel fast eliminates certain groups of food, a bit more prep is encouraged.

You’ll want to prepare your mind, your kitchen, and your heart!

What is a Daniel Fast?

The Daniel fast is based off of two key verses in the book of Daniel, found in Daniel 10:

“In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.” (verses 2 & 3)

These verses are found in the context of Daniel receiving a message from the Lord. The verse before it tells the reader when Daniel received the message and the following text gives the content of that message.

Sandwiched in between we see three main things:

1) The state of Daniel’s heart

2) The sacrifice Daniel committed to and followed through on

3) The span of time Daniel set aside (three weeks)

Daniel was a great, yet extremely humble man caught up in tremendously difficult circumstances who stayed faithful to and was used mightily by God.

Many followers of Christ who’ve desired a closer, more intimate relationship with the Lord, as well as to be used by Him, have followed Daniel’s example of heart and habits.

Thus, the Daniel fast’s popularity.

While there is not a great amount of detail in how Daniel’s fast looked, there’s enough information from these short verses to lay a foundation with many benefits.

The greatest of which is drawing closer to God.

What can we know about how Daniel fasted? The verses tell us that he didn’t eat “tasty food,” meat, or wine. Meat and wine are the straight-forward. The elimination of “tasty food” is a bit more challenging.

We can draw some easy conclusions, though.

How to Fast Like Daniel

The first is the elimination of sweets and treats. These are those foods that fit in the category of satisfying our tongue which don’t provide nutrients to our bodies.

This includes candy, ice cream, most chips, and any processed foods. 

The point of the Daniel fast is to focus on the most pure, most basic foods that are natural and gifts from the Lord. 

Some natural foods are restricted because giving up these foods is necessary for the spiritual aspects of the Daniel fast. 

When we deprive our bodies of comfort and convenience, this discipline allows the Holy Spirit to do even greater works in us.

Since the restricted food list includes processed foods, it’s worth noting that this includes white bread products. Whole grains, on the other hand, are heartily embraced. There are several different whole grains included on the must-have Daniel fast grocery list below. 

The good news is that healthy does not have to mean bland. Recipes like this healthy, fried rice are Daniel Fast-approved and good for you.

Vegetables and fruits are the core foods of the Daniel fast. When embarking on this 21 day journey, make sure to stock up on fruits and vegetables. These are definitely on the list of foods to make sure to add to a Daniel fast grocery list!

Here is my video where I walk you through the list of things you need to prepare for a Daniel fast. Check it out!

Lest we forget all important protein, two other food categories that are essential to a Daniel fast is nuts and legumes. These foods will help add satiety to Daniel fast meals and menu plans to keep you full longer.

While any fast requires sacrifice, the Daniel fast also aims to give the body nutrients which promote health. 

I hope you’re ready for the amazing benefits that come with this 21 day fast! Now, how to prepare for Daniel fast.

Daniel Fast Grocery Shopping List

To get started with stocking your pantry, you’ll need some good cookbooks and recipes. The Daniel Fast Book is chock-full of tried and tested recipes that will make your tastebuds sing for joy.

Make a list of recipes you want to use during your Daniel Fast, then make your grocery list.

While the typical Daniel fast lasts 21 days, the whole menu doesn’t have to be prepared at once. Nor do all the groceries have to be bought in one trip. Maybe plan the first week in detail, with suggestions highlighted for the last two.

Whether you decide to plan for the entire three weeks or just one at a time, regardless of the specific recipes you use, these are all ingredients you’ll definitely need.

Daniel Fast Grocery List

1. Beans

These are loaded with protein and fiber which are so good for you. (Which is why I talk about them all the time!) There are many types of beans to try and use.

Keep a variety on hand, both dry and canned beans (non-BPA lining). These will be included in many recipes during the Daniel fast. 

• Black beans
• Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• Lentils – brown, green, red (these amazing beans help your gut heal)
• Pinto beans
• Great Northern beans
• Green Beans

2. Vegetable Stock

Keep this on hand for delicious homemade soups.

3. Essential fats

Great oils to have during the Daniel fast include the following:

• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Avocado oil

4. Vinegars

These are essential for making homemade dressings, so you can ensure they’re both mouthwatering and healthy.

• Balsamic Vinegar
• Apple Cider Vinegar

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal makes a very hearty, filling breakfast full of fiber.

6. Tomatoes

• Canned
• Sauce
• Paste
• Spaghetti sauce (without added sugar)

7. Salsa

I recommend 3 or 4 jars

8. Corn

Organic is essential; frozen is the best option!

9. Nuts

Nuts are a great addition to salads and other recipes. They’ll help take care of that crunch craving while adding protein and healthy fats. Nuts are best stored in the freezer to maintain the essential oils and freshness. I use mason jars for ease of storing and pouring.

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans

10. Quinoa

11. Chia seeds

A delicious filler and are a wonderful addition to a healthy, Daniel fast pudding.

12. Pumpkin seeds

13. Nut butters.

These are great snacks!

• Sunflower butter
• Almond butter
• Cashew butter

14. Spices

15. Fresh Fruits

16. Fresh Vegetables

• Sweet Potatoes
• Red potatoes
• Onion
• Garlic

17. Tea

For when we’re not really hungry, but crave something. Herbal teas are great options to get past a craving. But no sweetener!

18. Dried fruit

Very limited, as they have more sugar than fresh fruits.

• Dates
• Apricots
• Raisins My least favorite option, but one many people like. Watch out for added ingredients.

Check out my video to learn more about the foods to eat and avoid during the Daniel fast.

Daniel Fast Diet

There are LOADS of options on a Daniel fast! It may not be how we’re used to eating, and that’s the reason  – to change our focus and habits.  It is time to interrupt our routine and our typical way of doing things. This interruption and change of foods will feed our bodies healthy foods to bolster it to work most efficiently.

Are you ready to put yourself in a position to hear God more intimately?

Such a fast helps us accomplish all of these goals. And God has provided everything we need in abundance to be set up for success!

I recommend that you watch this video on how to accomplish more on the Daniel fast to start, stick and succeed!