What Is the Daniel Fast and Is It Healthy? Experts Weigh In

If you’ve been debating giving a plant-based way of eating a try — or maybe even going all the way on a vegan diet — you may have heard some buzz about the Daniel Fast, otherwise colloquially referred to as “Daniel’s diet” by its fans (which includes Chris Pratt!).

A short-term, partial fast that was developed from several passages in the Bible, this spiritual-derived eating plan has been endorsed by some celebrities over the years. Though the main goal of the Daniel Fast — according to those of the Christian faith who follow the eating plan — is to grow and invest in one’s faith, both religious and non-religious people have touted a number of health benefits from the diet. These claimed benefits include improved heart health and a jump start on weight loss for some. But is the diet actually healthy — and should you try it out yourself?

Before you start shopping to take a shot on Daniel’s diet, here’s what you need to know about the diet according to nutrition experts — including its history, the full list of diet-approved foods as well as “forbidden” items. Plus, we focus on the potential health benefits and drawbacks of following the Daniel Fast.

Editor’s note: Weight loss, health and body image are complex subjects — before deciding to go on this diet, we invite you gain a broader perspective by reading our exploration into the hazards of diet culture.

The Daniel Fast history:

“The Daniel Fast is a type of spiritual fast modeled…