Happy Daniel fasting time, y'all!! For anyone who doesn't know, I cook for and consult with people who have special diets and eating restrictions, so because of that I have some tips and recipes that might be helpful during your fasting. I wanted to create a landing page of websites, recipes, and product recs for y'all to use over the next few weeks. Hope it helps! And if you have specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
As I was processing what to compile, I just wanted to start by saying that there are resources and products out there that can make the Daniel Fast super easy. There are products and recipes to replace or mimic a large number of your daily meals. So decide your heart and purpose behind the fast before loading up on all the replacement meals and products. I love how one of the Daniel Fast websites explains the guidelines:
"Try not to get too hung up on what you should and shouldn’t eat. The most important part of the Daniel Fast is that you deny yourself physically so that you may seek the Lord in prayer and grow closer to Him. Your fast may look a little different than someone else’s, and that’s fine. Some people may need to be stricter than others in their food choices so that their fast is a sacrifice for them. These food guidelines are meant to be just that – a guide. They are given to help you create boundaries for your fast."
Here are the awesome recipes and tips y'all are already sharing: Daniel Fast Google Doc
To start, here is a break down of the allowed vs. avoided foods (same one as on the google doc.)
If the day comes that you think you just might not make it, know that you can because your strength comes from the Lord in all things. And you can always come over and I'll cook you a meal.
TIPS
With any new or altered diet, the best thing you can do for yourself is plan - that includes meal plans but also a plan for how you deal with the unknowns (travel, family dinners, long day at work, stress). I've typed up a basic meal plan for the weeks of the Daniel Fast that can be a good starting point for you.
Meal prep days are key. If you have a thing cleaned, chopped, cooked, ready to go, you'll be more likely to grab it and eat it. Once a week, if you create large portions of various elements like whole grain, bean, veggies, and some sauces or dips, you can mix and match throughout the week to build unique meals. Or for those of you who are fine eating the same thing every single day, just make pre packed meals and go to town. There's nothing wrong with making a double batch of some soup and eating that for the whole week. Leftovers will become your best friend if they aren't already. And don't forget to batch cook some breakfast options... you'll be glad you did. But for those who appreciate some variety there are some recipes below.
The main concern for most people on the Daniel Fast (and with any plant based diet or vegan diet) is protein intake. A few plant based foods that are high in protein: lentils (9g per 1/2 cup), quinoa (8g per 1 cup), hemp seeds (13g per 3 Tablespoons), peanut butter (8g per 2 Tbsp). Great ways to build a menu that has enough protein are to add peanut butter or hemp seeds into a smoothie or your oatmeal, include dips like nut butters and hummus in your snacks, and find recipes like this chili that include a variety of the protein sources. There are also many meat substitutes. The basic meat substitutes are tofu, tempeh, and seitan and they can be a great addition to meals if you get worried about protein intake. When looking at the vegan meat substitutes, though, be sure to read the labels because many of them have a long list of additives.
Which brings me to my next tip... Check your labels! Especially on things like nut milks, veggie broth, dressings, and sauces be sure to check the labels for hidden ingredients like sugar, dairy, artificial stabilizers and flavorings.
Since sugar and caffeine are not allowed in the fast, you will experience some withdrawal symptoms. You will feel angry and you will feel tired and you will get headaches - and that is exactly when you seek the Lord... and pray that He tells you to take a nap. I love this breakdown from the Whole30 of what emotions you can expect through a process of adopting a more restricted diet.
RESOURCES
Plant based blogs - for recipe ideas if you're into browsing food blogs (🙋). If not, keep on scrolling to recipes.
thefirstmess.com
mynewroots.org
minimalistbaker.com
Grocery Store Finds - I figured some of y'all would be saved by cereal for breakfast or some premade meals so I did some research and found these for ya:
HEB
One product you can find at HEB and most other grocery stores is Lara bars. Most of them are only dates, nuts, and spices, so are great "treat" and snack options.
Trader Joes
They have a great selection of frozen fruits and veggies, fresh produce (they have some great prepped bagged veggies that are easy to saute or roast), and precooked frozen grains. Other than those basics, I found these products that could be good snacks or meals during the fast:
veggie & lentil blend... quick saute and serve with brown rice.
they sell this brand at other grocery stores. whole foods has a variety of "flavors" (just be sure to check ingredients on each one)
Whole Foods
Restaurants - lets be real, there will be times when you go out to eat. Here are some options:
Local Foods - great salads and sides that are compliant.
True Foods Kitchen - ask for plant-based, sweetener free options.
Snap Kitchen - they have a great selection of veggie sides, some vegan baked goods, and soups.
Whole Foods Hot Bar - because you can build your own meal and they provide ingredient listings for all the dishes, this is a great option.
Zoe's Kitchen - veggies, grains, salads... lots of options
Chipotle - see what's in each menu item here.
RECIPES
BREAKFAST
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Hash
PB&J Oatmeal - sub alternative milk of choice and use a fruit sweetened jam
Pancakes - omit maple syrup and top with fruit, nut butter, or eat it plain!
Quinoa Porridge - omit honey from recipe and sweetened with apple sauce or fruit sweetened jam
SOUPS & MAINS
Golden Lentil Soup with Sweet Potato, Coconut, Spinach & Lime
Butternut Minestrone with Sage, Chickpeas & Chard
Creamy Mushroom Lasagna
Black Beans & Rice with Roasted Poblanos & Garlic
Roasted Veggie Cobb Salad
Pesto Portobellos with Lentil Pasta
Stirfry with Cauliflower Rice (sub brown rice if you'd prefer, and omit maple syrup)
Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry
Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Chickpeas & Tahini Ranch
Lentil & Sweet Potato Shepherds Pie
Minestrone (omit sweetener and nutritional yeast)
SIDES & SAUCES
Lemon Roasted Broccoli
Garlicky Roasted Cauliflower NOTE: omit bacon - and then after the fast make it with the bacon cause it's DELICIOUS.
Basic Roasted Veggies
Simple Vinaigrette
Pistachio Pesto