The Daniel diet, or Daniel fast, is essentially a 21-day vegetarian diet plan based on the eating principles espoused by Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Daniel diet has many food restrictions and is meant to be a time of spiritual evaluation as much as, if not more than, a diet.
Purpose
Many people start the Daniel diet to lose weight or to decrease health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, allergies or cancer, the Daniel Fast website states. But a Christian-based diet, such as the Daniel fast, puts as much emphasis on the spiritual goals of the fast as the physical. Prayer, bible study and reflection all play an important part during the 21 days of the fast.
Method
On the Daniel fast diet, you can eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, tofu, soy and seasonings, including salt and spices. You can drink only water, with no flavorings added. The diet allows canned, fresh, dried, frozen or juiced fruits and vegetables. Allowed whole grains include brown rice, whole wheat pasta, rice cakes and popcorn. All seeds and nuts and nut butters, plus polyunsaturated oils such as olive oil and canola oil are also allowed. Additionally, you can eat legumes such as kidney, pinto, black and white beans, plus split beans, lentils and black-eyed peas.
Restrictions
If you follow the Daniel diet, you avoid all artificial foods, which include any foods containing chemicals, additives, processing or sweeteners. No meat, soft drinks, poultry, fish or breads are allowed. You also can't have yeast, fried foods, solid fats and beverages such as coffee, teas, energy drinks or alcohol on the diet.
Benefits
Proponents of the diet state that they lose weight, feel healthier and develop a better spiritual closeness to God during the fast, as noted on the Daniel Fast website. Since the diet lasts just 21 days, it's unlikely to cause any long-term nutritional deficiencies. There's no restriction on how much you can eat, so consuming adequate calories is not a problem. Like all vegan diets, you must balance your grains other protein sources to make sure you get all the amino acids you need, the American Heart Association states.
Warning
Some people should not follow the Daniel diet. Pregnant women, children and those with diabetes or other health conditions should discuss the diet with medical personnel before starting the fast, even for just 21 days. You may experience severe headache the first day or two of the diet.
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