Over the 21 days in your Daniel Fast, you’ll change the foods that you eat. For some folks, this will be a significant shift. For others only slight. But for all, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared so that you can devote your attention and your time in God’s Word and spending time with your Father.
You’ll want to collect recipes and plan your menus. Here are a few steps that you can follow to create your own Personalized Daniel Fast Cookbook. This will be a custom-made version just for you and for your family. The benefit of creating your own personalized Daniel Fast cookbook is that you’ll have everything you need on hand for a successful Daniel Fast experience. Plus, as you create your cookbook, you’ll also be planning your meals ahead. This will serve you as you continue your fast so your attention won’t be on the food, but instead, it will be on the Lord.
Learn the guidelines so you know what foods are allowed and which foods are restricted
You want to learn about the Daniel Fast food guidelines. What are the foods that are allowed and what are those that are restricted? You can go to this link to learn more about the food lists. Spend some time reviewing the lists so that you are familiar with the guidelines. The basics of the Daniel Fast food plan is that it is completely plant-based. Also, the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water. Spend a few minutes reviewing the guidelines as your first step in preparation.
Decide to make simple meals so you can focus on God
Decide right now that for your 21-day fast that you’ll eat simple meals. Remember, biblical fasting is restricting food for a spiritual purpose. So many people turn the Daniel Fast into the latest Christian diet. That is totally wrong! Imagine Daniel’s thinking when he was fasting. He focused on spiritual matters and not his own desires. So plan to have simple meals during your Daniel Fast. Lots of soups, salads, and easy to prepare meals. Make your decision to center on the Lord rather than on the food. This decision will serve you in many ways.
Think about meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
You want to think about the types of meals that you would like to prepare during your Daniel Fast. Think about your schedule. What can you have for breakfast, lunch, dinners, and snacks? Take a few minutes and just imagine what you’ll be eating during your fast. And don’t think about all of the restrictions. Instead think about the amazing, very positive time that you’ll have as you meet with the Lord and learn from Him.
Look for recipes that you can easily print
Now it’s time for you to find recipes. There are so many that are available to you. If you have chosen to participate in the Come to Me Daniel Fast program, you’ll have hundreds of recipes to choose from in the many cookbooks included in the course.
I encourage you to select 3 breakfast menus, 3 to 4 lunch menus, 6 to 7 dinner menus, and 3 to 4 snacks. Find recipes that will work for you and your menus.
Plan your menus for each week
Your next step is to specifically plan your meals. You can click on this link to download a copy of the Daniel Fast menu planning worksheet. The planner will help you as you organize all of your meals for one week. This preparation will save you money. It will save you time. And save you anxiety. You’ll know every day the foods that you’ll be eating for your Daniel Fast. You can also use this sheet to imagine your meal preparation and take advantage of your time in the kitchen. I suggest that you plan your meals for one week.
Print your recipes and keep them in a 3-ring binder or a file folder
After you’ve planned your mails and you know the recipes that you’ll use, print each one of those recipes. This is how you create your own personalized Daniel Fast Cookbook. Keep the recipes in a 3-ring binder or in a file folder. Then when you’re ready to prepare your meals, all your recipes will be easily available to you.
Make your shopping list
Now you can prepare your shopping list. Use your Daniel Fast meal planner along with the recipes that you’ve collected. Check for foods that you may already have in your cupboards that you can use, and then make your shopping list for the things that you need to purchase. Just think of it . . . instead of making multiple trips to the grocery store, you can do all of your shopping at one time.
Prepare meals in advance; use your cooking time wisely
Plan how you’ll prepare the meals. Can you prepare 2 or 3 meals at one time? Can you create a double batch of soup? Utilize your freezer. Take advantage of the time that you have in the kitchen. Make large batches of brown rice that you can use for several meals. Think about ways that you can wisely invest your time to prepare your Daniel Fast meals.
Be blessed on your fast
Be blessed during your time of preparing your meals. One of the things that I like to do is have all the ingredients ready. And then I’ll turn on joyful music, a podcast, or a video teaching and enjoy my time in the kitchen. Let this time be uplifting and pleasant for you.
Now you can just repeat this process for the remaining weeks of your Daniel Fast. Creating your own Personalized Daniel Fast Cookbook will help you more than you may even be able to imagine right now. Not only will this help you during the fast, but you may see how you can repeat this process for your regular days. Take advantage of planning ahead. Take advantage of using your time wisely used in the kitchen. And take advantage of the joyful experience you can have in nourishing your body with the foods God created just for you.
Please encourage and inspire others by leaving your comments below.
Be blessed as you continue to grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Hello Susan will you be sending out a daily devotional or teaching as you have done in the past.
Yes, Janice.
You will need to sign up for them. Click no the Helpful Recourses link above you will find where you can receive the Daniel Fast Daily Devotionals.
Be blessed on your fast and Happy New Year.
Hello Susan. I have been following your fast guide since 2020. This time will you also give the devotional teaching for each day?
Hi Felix.
Yes, you can register to receive the Daily Devotional using this link: Daniel Fast Devotionals
Be blessed on your fast.
Hi, I’ve recently come back to the Lord since last October and have ordered 3 of your fasting books Susan: the Daniel Fast, workbook and the DF for weight loss. I know weightliss will be an added bonus but my main goal is to draw closer to God, and find break through in healing for my family and relationships.
I am reading the bible from the Old Testament to the new and just finished the book of Daniel and it says he did not consume oil, not even put it on his skin. I’m just confused why any oil is allowed in your version of the fast? I’m not judging, I’m just curious and I started this fast 2 days ago, I did cook with a little extra virgin olive oil but I’m not sure I should have. Please offer me a little more insight on this?
Hi Susan! I just subscribed to the courses in Faith Driven Academy! I am curious as to how I access the cookbook with recipes? Thank you in advance!
Hi Susan
I am so sorry to be joining the Daniel Fast this late. Please pray with and for me as I ask God to favor my family and me with breakthroughs and blessings in our spiritual, personal and professional lives in Jesus name.
Hi Joy,
There is no official date for beginning the Daniel Fast. So you’re all good. Don’t hurry with your start date. Prepare for your fast. And be blessed!
I am A diabetic, I used an insulin pump which gives me isulin 24 hours a day. I also take other medications if I do this fast can I still take the above mentioned?
Hi Milly,
Yes, just keep monitoring your blood sugar levels. Be aware of your body and remain wise. Remember, to always follow the advice of earthy physician while praying to the Great Physician.
Be blessed on your Daniel Fast.
Hi Susan,
I started the fast on the 6th. I usually take vitamins daily but stopped because I wasn’t sure if allowed during the fast. Is it ok to take them or withhold till the end of fast? Thanks.
Hi Patricia,
Vitamins are okay. Best to choose those that are free of sweeteners during the fast and beyond 🙂
Be blessed on your fast.
Bless you, Susan,
I started my fast yesterday and I have begun to have what looked like to be a severe head cold or sinus infection. What do you recommend for this? I have taken a Claritan D but it is not helping. I’m also having cold hands and my body temperature is low as well.
Hi Charles,
It’s very possible that you’re experiencing caffeine and/or sugar withdrawals. You may have an illness, also. But very often the severe headaches are from caffeine withdrawal.
My suggestion is to rest, drink plenty of water, and claim the healing from your Heavenly Physician. Lean into the Lord. Fill your heart with His Word. And receive His blessing.
Thank you for the response. I don’t drink coffee, soda or tea. But I did pray for healing and I feel a breakthrough!!!! I know that cinnamon is a natural spice, but are we to use this as a sweetener?
Hi Charles,
Yeah! God is so good! Glad you’ve received the breakthrough!
Cinnamon is fine as it’s a spice. It’s not considered a sweetener, so you’re good to go.
Thank you Susan for responding to the call of God in sharing such crucial spiritual engagements to help us to be detox
I am reading this beautiful information guide for the first time but we are doing Daniel fasting in our church every year
Praise God, Sarah!
Our Lord is so amazing and has so much for all who turn to Him.
Be blessed on your fast!
Am I reading correctly that unsweetened almond milk is ok? What about baked plantain chips from Trader Joe’s?Thanks
Hi Lynn,
Unsweetened almond milk is allowed to use on cereals or as in ingredient in recipes. The only beverage on the fast is water.
The ingredients in Trader Joe’s Plantain chips are plantains, sunflower oil, salt. If they are baked and NOT deep fried, then they are fine for your fast. If you’re looking for a snack, consider popcorn, nuts, or Triscuit Original whole wheat crackers.
Be blessed on your fast
What about Lucuma powder? I use it in smoothies as a sweetener.
No sweeteners are allowed. So no, it would not be allowed on the fast if it’s a sweetener.
Be blessed on your fast.
Glorious greetings. I’m starting the Daniel’s fasting today.What is the cost of the Rest in Him Daniel’s program in South African currency?
Hi Bulie,
The course is US$21 which converts to about 292 ZAR.
Be blessed on your fast!
Are whole grain crackers and chips considered “precious” foods and therefore not permissible on the Daniel fast?
Hi Darlene,
Deep fried foods aren’t allowed on the fast, however, baked chips are fine if they are free of chemicals. They’re not considered precious foods.
Be blessed!
Hi, Susan, under foods to avoid – carbonated beverages – does that include sparkling water and seltzer? Thanks.
Check out the ingredients, Audrietta. If the beverage is water only and free of chemicals, flavorings, and sweeteners then you’re good to go!
Be blessed
Susan, I am confused. The food lists do not include some of the night shade family but include tomatoes. Some recipes include potatoes but the list does not. Are the recipes that include potato mean sweet potato or yam?
Hi Albert,
All potatoes and all peppers are allowed. With all the vegetables we can’t list everyone. So you’re good to include those items you mentioned.
Be blessed
Our church is a week behind most of you. Our first meeting will be the 13th, with the fast starting on the 20th. I’m trying to get as many resources as possible, and answers to questions. Can we use ghee/clarified butter on the fast? I don’t know if it counts as an oil since the milk solids are removed. Thank you for all you are doing.
Hi Sally,
No, ghee is not allowed on the fast. Substitute with olive oil or coconut oil. Only purely plant-based products are allowed on the fast.
Be blessed and thanks for our message!
Are hearbal teas ok. Tea like cinammon, apple and mint
No, the only beverage is water. It’s okay to add lemon or lime slices to the water to freshen it up. However, make sure you only drink water.
Be blessed on your fast.
I’ve been reading other books on Daniel Fast and was told the unsweetened almond milk is ok since it’s not considered dairy. What is do you think?
Hi Celeste,
All unsweetened plant-based milk can be used in recipes or on cereal. The only beverage is water on the Daniel Fast.
Be blessed on your fast.
I’ve just signed up for the Joshua Plan. Could you direct me to how I could access the recipes so I can plan for the meals during the fast? Thanks!
Thanks for being with us every step of the way during this fast. I’m sure the resources you’ve provided will be of great help to first timers like me.
Hi Shon,
Thank you for your loving message. I am blessed to connect with so many followers of Christ as I work to answer the call the Lord gave me back in 2007, which was “Write about the Daniel Fast.” He is so very good.
Be blessed on your fast!
Hi Susan,
Are salted nuts ok, what about roasted nuts?
Is Cinnamon ok?
Hi Jim,
Happy New Year and be blessed as you begin the year with the fast.
Yes, salted and roasted nuts are allowed. Also, herbs and spices are allowed. Just make sure to read the list of ingredients on the label of packed foods to be assured no sweeteners or chemicals have been added.
You might want to listen to this short video message to learn more about the fast: Prepare for Your Daniel Fast
I hope the best for you as you draw near to God and devote yourself to Him.
Thank you, especially the forward planning aspect, I’m starting on the 5th January. Have already made some lental and chick pea Currys and frozen them, mostly for lunches at work.
I am really looking forward to 2019, I believe that GOD has great plans instore for my family and I, there is no better way than to kick off the new year fasting, praying and honoring him for the glorious GOD he is…
Thank you Susan for sharing the wealth of knowledge you’ve provided to help me to be successful at this year’s fast. I have been battling my flesh in making a decision to fast. It’s been a couple of years since I fasted. I really appreciate the recipes and other materials you’ve made available. Blessings to you from God in your obedience to Him to serve the body of Christ.
Susan, Thank you for your guidance. You make the food part of this Daniel Fast super easy to prepare. This is my second fast with you. I encourage all to join in with us on the paid course. Susan is a Blessing to all of us participating with the upcoming fast. I am ready to go already and I have followed your advice to start weaning off caffeine and sugar and sweets. Be Blessed Susan.
Thanks for your tips .
Thank you Susan I am 72 and did the Daniel fast about 2 months ago for my son to be set free of his demons. I used your book but did not totally cut out coffee but I plan on doing it the right way completely this time. I really appreciate all of your hard work , it has helped me a lot. I also lost 10 lbs. the last time but that was not my purpose for fasting. God is so good to me.
Dear Susan,
This is fantastic. Thank you so much for caring enough to compile such a helpful article. This will help a lot!
God truly bless you!
Thank you so much for your tips as suggestions.
It makes a difference in the “success without the stress “. My quote.
This is the first time I will participate with you.
So excited.
Thanks for the encouragement in sorting out meal menu
This will be my third Daniel Fast, and second one with Susan’s help and direction. I am so looking forward to this time of refocus and cleansing. Susan is the best and such a great teacher and coach. God Bless and talk with everyone soon. I recommend you sign up for the Facebook page and post daily. It will help with accountability and support.
Thank you Susan for these helpful tips. This is my first time doing the fast.
Thanks for this encouragement. It will help us save time in sorting out daily meals in our planned menu
Please could you let me know how much Rest in Him Daniel Fast programme costs in British sterling (GBP) and how do I pay online if I don’t have a credit card but have a debit card? How do I know the site is secure to make a payment? Thank you.
This will be my first time attempting a fast for this length of time. I know God will sustain and strengthen me.
Thank you for your service.
Praise God! My husband has decided to join me this year! Fasting has always been a struggle for him, so I’m grateful he will be alongside me!