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At the end of a 10-day trial period, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than their peers who ate the rich foods from the royal table. In Daniel, chapter 10, Daniel fasts again, abstaining from "pleasant food," meat, and wine. (Daniel 10)[2]
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You, too, can gain a healthier body and clearer mind by following this diet "fast" in moderation.
The Daniel Fast and Your Relationship to God
Avoid distractions. This is a sacred time between you and God, so avoid secular television and radio programs.
Start the diet by focusing on your faith. Worship God through sacrifice and love Him more than His gifts.
Pray. Your days should be filled with unselfish prayer. During the fast, increase the frequency of your daily prayer time by a factor of three or more.
Reserve time with God during the day by studying the Bible.
Seek the Lord diligently for the answers to your prayers.
Ask for God's guidance in your life.
The Daniel Fast, Part I
Make your meals somewhat lighter for a few days leading up to your fast. It's an especially good idea to reduce your intake of caffeine.
In the first Book of Daniel, the Prophet ate only vegetables and fruit, and drank only water for 10 days. A short rundown of acceptable foods include: All fruits and vegetables All legumes Whole grains Nuts and seeds Tofu Herbs and spices.
Conversely, there is also an agreed upon list of foods to avoid. Keep in mind that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed in the Daniel Fast. All meats and animal products All dairy products All deep fried foods All solid fats.
Carefully read food labels. Foods often contain hidden ingredients. Make sure the foods you buy are compliant with the Daniel Fast.
The Daniel Fast, Part II
Move to stage two. In Daniel, Book 10, the Prophet went on a second, 3-week fast. To quote the Bible, Daniel "ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine." The second fast is basically the same as the first fast, but the text specifically names three things to avoid: Wine All sweeteners (including honey) All leavened bread.
Assess how you feel after the two stages. If you feel more energetic and healthier, it is likely that you will want to keep up healthier eating habits. While reintroducing many of the items you've not had during the fast is inevitable, you may want to do so with greater consciousness for quality and portion size. And some things, like fried food and sugar are best kept to a new minimum.
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