Was Daniel Of The Bible The First Vegan?

The Daniel Fast is based on the prophet Daniel’s fasting experiences as recorded in the Bible. The concept of Daniel Fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14 (NIV), “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.’

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’

So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.” Other Biblical translations replace the word “vegetables” with “pulse”, which indicates “food grown from seed”. An additional reference to this fast is found in Daniel 10:2-3 (NIV): “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”

Based on this latter passage, a Daniel Fast is most commonly partaken for 21 days, although fasts of 10 and 40 days have also been observed. A Daniel Fast involves ad libitum intake of specific foods, but the food choices are restricted to essentially fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and oil.

The plant-based diet is being hailed as the best thing this side of heaven! Testimonies are coming out of the woodwork. Looking at the bible you see that an official decree issued by a legal authority (God ) originally assigned Fruits, and vegetables to man at the very beginning of the bible. From the bible, we know that the Daniel fast was inspired by God.

A Daniel Fast resembles a vegan diet, which has been reported to yield health-enhancing properties. However, a Daniel Fast is more stringent, in that aside from the exclusion of all animal products, there are no processed foods, white flour products, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine, or alcohol allowed in this plan. It is amazing that the foods Daniel chooses not to defile his body with are the same foods health sciences centuries later now know are harmful to our body.

The Daniel Fast consisted of plant-based foods, research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions that may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases and lower ischemic heart disease mortality rates. This plant-based diet resembles a vegan diet, which has been reported to yield health-enhancing properties.

What is a plant-based diet?

  • A plant-based diet does not mean vegetarian or vegan

A plant-based diet contains:

Vegetables, beans and legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

It does not include:

Meat, poultry, wild game, seafood, eggs, dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese), or any other foods that contain these products.

Why Do People Choose a Plant-Based Diet?

  • Healthy Body Weight. On average those who follow a plant-based diet weigh
  • less than those who follow a Standard American Diet (SAD).
  • Heart Health. A plant-based diet can help prevent or reverse heart disease, the
  • number 1 killer of Americans.
  • Cancer Prevention. A plant-based diet has been associated with greater
  • protection against all types of cancer.
  • Diabetes Prevention and Management. Plant-based diets have been shown
  • effective in preventing, managing, and treating diabetes.
  • Protect the Environment. Plant-based diets are more environmentally
  • sustainable than diets rich in animal products because they use fewer natural
  • resources, such as water, and are associated with less environmental damage.
  • Animal Rights.

Vegetables

Vegetables are the healthiest foods on the planet. They are naturally low in calories, high in fiber, and high in nutrients. Green leafy vegetables are essential for optimal health and you should eat them every day. Vegetables should be the basis of your diet.

Beans and Legumes

Beans are a great source of healthy protein and carbohydrates. They contain lots of fiber and resistant starch, which helps fill you up and prevent you from absorbing 100% of the calories in beans. Canned beans are ok – look for low-sodium and reduced-sodium options.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are a great source of fiber and are satisfying and filling. Whole grains that are in their natural form contain the most nutrition and fiber. Enjoy these whole grains alongside different beans and vegetables.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are the best sources of fat because they also provide fiber, vitamins, & minerals. The eating of nuts is associated with longevity.

Traditionally people follow the Daniel fast for religious purposes in an attempt to become “closer to God” during a time of extended prayer, anecdotal reports indicate that maintenance of the fast can be achieved by most. But from what we have learned about Daniel fast we understand that Daniel had the right idea when he said he would not defile his body but only eat choice food which we now know can lead to better overall health.