Published 15:47 IST, October 8th 2019
Daniel Fasting: Here is all you need to know about this diet!
Daniel fasting or Daniel Diet has been in the news recently. Here’s all you need to know about the diet that many celebs including actor Chris Pratt follows.
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Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt recently revealed on his social media that he would be practising this diet. According to reports, he is known for taking up dietary challenges for his roles. He revealed on his Instagram story that he will be taking up the 'Daniel diet' as his next dietary challenge. Daniel diet has been in the news ever since.
Daniel fasting is a different kind of diet which seems similar to a vegan diet. However, this diet, unlike many others, does not tell you when to eat. The diet focuses on what to eat rather than how much. Here’s all you need to know about the fast.
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What is Daniel Fasting?
It is reported that Prophet Daniel’s spiritual and dietary experiences have been recorded in the Book of Daniel in the Bible. The fast is based on his dietary patterns, and a few verses in the book lay foundation to the diet. Daniel supposedly received renewed strength post the diet and hence, the modern-day adaption of the diet is aimed at gaining similar results, spiritually, mentally and physically. While the fast is a 21-day-diet plan, it is advised that first-timers start with a 10-day plan.
What to include and exclude in your diet?
Although the Daniel diet is considered to be a vegan diet, it also restricts the consumption of many different edibles. There’s a strict set of rules involved on what to consume. As mentioned earlier, the diet does not tell you when to eat or hum much. However, since most of the people follow it as a diet plan rather than spiritual fasting, it is advisable to eat three times a day.
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Include
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits with less glycemic index are encouraged in this diet. Fruits with low- glycemic include cherries, grapes, berries, apple and peaches. Fresh, frozen and canned fruits, as well as vegetables which do not contain added sugar, colouring, salts and preservatives, can also be consumed. You can also eat potatoes in abundance.
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Whole Grains
Unrefined whole grains like oats, wheat, amaranth, barley, quinoa, millet and brown rice are to be consumed during the course of this diet. Processed grains are however a strict no-no. Bread with yeast or leavened bread too does not fit in the diet plan. However, if you find a flatbread and a whole wheat bread without yeast, that can be consumed without a second thought.
Beans, nuts and seeds
Types of legumes that can be eaten in abundance include black beans, lentils, chickpeas, and other bean varieties. While consumed dried or canned varieties, ensure that there are no additives included. Same goes for soy products and tofu, which can only be consumed without added salts and preservatives.
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Oils with plant base such as peanut, avocado, olive, sesame, coconut, grapeseed, walnut oils, etc can all be consumed in moderation. Fresh spices and herbs can be included in the diet, as they will add flavour to your meal. Investing in it will only benefit you for these three weeks. Salts, only in very minimal proportion, can be included in the diet.
Exclude
Eggs and meat of any kind are strictly not allowed in the diet. Dairy products of all kinds are off-limits. Food that is processed beyond packing is a strict no-no. That includes most vegan packed foods, many frozen goods, fried foods and even veggie burgers. Sweeteners like sugar, honey, maple syrup and other natural sweeteners are also prohibited. Mints and chewing gums, solid fats like butter and ghee are prohibited. Liquids like aerated drinks, kombucha, wine, juices, tea, coffee and pretty much any beverage other than water are not included in the diet.
15:15 IST, October 8th 2019