Daniel fast
amh927
Posts: 33 Member
Has anyone done a Daniel fast while losing weight?
Any suggestions or tips?
Any suggestions or tips?
5
Replies
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It's for religious, not weight loss purposes. To lose weight, just follow MFP's suggestions.11
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kommodevaran wrote: »It's for religious, not weight loss purposes. To lose weight, just follow MFP's suggestions.
Yes I am aware of that. Our entire church is doing one for 40 days and I am just nervous about joining in while trying to maintain weight loss
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What do you mean by maintain weight loss? If it's called a fast, I'm pretty certain you're not going to gain weight on it, at least. Can't you log what you eat? You lose, gain or maintain weight by eating the apprpriate amount of calories, no matter what food you eat.kommodevaran wrote: »It's for religious, not weight loss purposes. To lose weight, just follow MFP's suggestions.
Yes I am aware of that. Our entire church is doing one for 40 days and I am just nervous about joining in while trying to maintain weight loss8 -
Log the foods you are eating and make sure your calories are within the calorie budget MFP set up for you. From what google told me, it's a meatless fast. Since protein is important while dieting, focusing on legumes would be a good thing.4
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kommodevaran wrote: »
What do you mean by maintain weight loss? If it's called a fast, I'm pretty certain you're not going to gain weight on it, at least. Can't you log what you eat? You lose, gain or maintain weight by eating the apprpriate amount of calories, no matter what food you eat.kommodevaran wrote: »It's for religious, not weight loss purposes. To lose weight, just follow MFP's suggestions.
Yes I am aware of that. Our entire church is doing one for 40 days and I am just nervous about joining in while trying to maintain weight loss
Is a religious fast. So it’s not actual fasting. Simply avoiding foods for religious purposes, mostly meat and dairy, sugar, etc
Most of my protein is chicken. So I’m nervous about getting enough protein so I’m not starving and wanting to eat everything is sight. It’s fruit and veggie based. I don’t eat much fruit and a lot of it is high in calories. Hence why I asked for tips. Maybe people had some great recipe resources etc. it’s not being don’t for weight loss. It’s just coinciding at a time that I’m trying to lose weight.
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Who's Daniel and what makes him so fast?19
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I don't think there are any recipes that can circumvent the restrictions and magically make foods low in protein, high in protein, so you have to work with what you have, or decline the challenge. Or you can postpone weightloss. amusedmonkey already suggested beans, then I'll suggest nuts and seeds. Eat a bit more grains and potatoes. Look for vegan recipes, vegans can make anything with beans and nuts and seeds.kommodevaran wrote: »
What do you mean by maintain weight loss? If it's called a fast, I'm pretty certain you're not going to gain weight on it, at least. Can't you log what you eat? You lose, gain or maintain weight by eating the apprpriate amount of calories, no matter what food you eat.kommodevaran wrote: »It's for religious, not weight loss purposes. To lose weight, just follow MFP's suggestions.
Yes I am aware of that. Our entire church is doing one for 40 days and I am just nervous about joining in while trying to maintain weight loss
Is a religious fast. So it’s not actual fasting. Simply avoiding foods for religious purposes, mostly meat and dairy, sugar, etc
Most of my protein is chicken. So I’m nervous about getting enough protein so I’m not starving and wanting to eat everything is sight. It’s fruit and veggie based. I don’t eat much fruit and a lot of it is high in calories. Hence why I asked for tips. Maybe people had some great recipe resources etc. it’s not being don’t for weight loss. It’s just coinciding at a time that I’m trying to lose weight.5 -
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It's 100% plant-based, right? I'd think in advance about how you will get your protein and probably plan a usual breakfast and some templates. I eat without animal products a lot, and tend to have a couple of breakfasts I cycle through and do a lot of bean/lentil/chickpea, etc. + whole grain + vegetables based meals, usually with some nuts as accent/for taste.
Maybe log a few planned days to see if you need to adjust anything to hit your calories and increase protein or whatever.
Focus on your religious motivation for it. I have concerns in general about cutting out foods for combined weight loss and religious reasons as I think it's easy to get it confused (NOT saying you are doing this -- I totally understand that you are not, but this was one reason I chose not to pick a food based discipline/sacrifice for Lent the first year I was losing weight even though I normally do). I actually find that for me eliminating foods for religious purposes feels very different and is easier -- I might miss them, but I don't start feeling like my diet is super restrictive or questioning why I can't have them. Even when not eating vegetarian I usually do go vegetarian for Lent and went 100% plant-based for Lent one year* and found it a good experience, and it's motivated me to experiment with doing that off and on at other times too, but not because I think it's good for weight loss (actually I find meat and dairy and eggs can be really helpful for weight loss) but because I like eating that way.
Not sure what the other elements of the Daniel fast are, but I can imagine (no oil, no sugar? stuff like that), and probably those things, as well as focusing on eating lots of vegetables, are probably actually going to be really easy to combine with weight loss.
Anyway, totally possible.
*I know the Orthodox do this every year. My Greek friend always tells me how much more intense their Lent practices are than western ones, but I digress. ;-)5 -
Oh, for meal ideas, you could check out the resources for a plant-based diet starter plan or else try EatThisMuch, which you can set for your calories and "vegan diet" and then modify as needed.
https://www.eatthismuch.com/
I can't follow a plan personally, but ideas might help.
Good vegetarian and vegan recipe sites are:
101cookbooks (vegetarian)
OhSheGlows (vegan)
Sources for more recipes and probably a plant-based meal plan would be places like ForksOverKnives. I don't really buy into their claims so am not promoting that at all, but I'm sure they have some helpful resources.1 -
I have the same concerns as lemurcat, but I'm even more skeptical - none of the foods on the approved list is praticularly high in protein; when maintaining weight, it should be easy enough to get enough protein, but when dieting, you need the same amount of protein, but fewer calories (you know this, that's what you're asking for help with); and if you're not used to eating a vegan diet, you have to learn a different way to plan and cook, as well as tolerating a different range of flavors and textures - this is challenging enough when you're eating enough to maintain weight - but you're having a Woody Allen dilemma (terrible food and small portions). Personally, I wouldn't do the Daniel Fast unless I had at least some experience with vegan cooking and liked the food, or were not dieting.2
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For protein focus on soy, beans, and legumes. Whole grains and nuts will also get you a little. Think barley and beans, lentil soup, soy milk, tofu, etc. 40 days is actually really long, the longest I've ever heard it done for is 21 days. If it's important to you to to do it, just focus on that protein number and don't let it dip too low.1
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I didn't expect to become so engaged in this topic
I think for a vegan to start dieting, is unproblematic (I imagine you just cut down on fruit and grains and oils). I think for an omnivore dieter to start eating vegan, is risky. And the website where I read about the Daniel fast, describes a diet that is stricter than the usual vegan diet (no refined/processed foods, so no white/brown sugar or molasses, no white rice or flour). 1 -
We do a similar fast with slightly different rules twice a year, before Christmas and before Easter, and I wish I could tell you there is an easy way for protein. I never have a problem with food choices (I find vegan food delicious), I have not been able to sustain a good level of protein while dieting on this fast no matter what I did (I don't have access to soy), and it has been 5 years since I started dieting. I don't notice a change in my hunger level, though. The food is pretty high volume and satisfying (at least to me). So basically, if getting a high amount of protein is important to you, maybe consider maintenance for now? If you're just concerned you'll get hungry on lower protein, it may not necessarily be the case and you may want to continue dieting if you wish.2
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I’ve heard of it but have not tried it. If it is a fast that is low on animal protein, since it isn’t for a hugely extended period of time, maybe incorporate vegan protein powder? It’ll help keep your grams of protein higher without forcing you to up your calories a lot. Again, this could work just for the duration of the fast. I wouldn’t recommend forever doing that as part of your diet.1
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Good thinking, but protein powder would be out, depending on interpretation - no processed/refined foods.1
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Personally this Daniel Fast sounds really too complicated. It seems counterintuitive to its purpose which is to have the people participating focus on their relationship with the Lord more. It seems like it's going to have them really focusing a lot on food.
I say this as a Christian. In case anyone thinks I'm some kind of heathen making fun of it. I am not.9 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Good thinking, but protein powder would be out, depending on interpretation - no processed/refined foods.
Ahh, good point! Like I said, I’ve heard of it but I’m not terribly familiar with all the details.
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It's not really complicated, just difficult. You eat fruit, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, some oils, water, and then some versions allow some specific processed foods like tofu and soy milk probably to deal with the protein issue.2
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My husband and I have done the Daniel fast for lent. Weirdly, the hardest part to me was not using condiments containing vinegar or sugar. We ate fruits, salads, cooked vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains and drank water. Nothing processed. We didn’t manipulate the foods into elaborate recipes. We wanted to eat simply and thankfully, without putting too much effort into the preparation.
The whole point for us was to focus less on earthly pursuits and more on Christ’s sacrifice for us. For me, trying to track weight, calories and macros while fasting might have detracted from the focus on this being a spiritual discipline. It didn’t add on weight or make us malnourished that I could tell. After all, it’s only 40 days- and not even consecutive days because each Sunday you rest from your fast and eat whatever you want.
Respectfully I hope this Lenten season is entered into with prayer and reflection, each of us gladly performing whatever form of sacrifice had been placed on our hearts. God bless!
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 NASB8 -
It's not really complicated, just difficult. You eat fruit, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, some oils, water, and then some versions allow some specific processed foods like tofu and soy milk probably to deal with the protein issue.
That does make it complicated ... But, I digress.3 -
manwithmustache wrote: »Who's Daniel and what makes him so fast?
Nike Vaporflys.3 -
Personally I avoid anything by Rick Warren. He often takes the Bible out of context and uses verses from a variety of translations to confuse and twist the Word. If you want to fast, choose something to fast from and pray about according to your conscience and read the Word in its proper context. God Bless.10
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andfivesixseveneight wrote: »Weirdly, the hardest part to me was not using condiments containing vinegar or sugar.
That would be hard for me. Not the sugar so much (although I do love my sriracha) but the vinegar.The whole point for us was to focus less on earthly pursuits and more on Christ’s sacrifice for us. For me, trying to track weight, calories and macros while fasting might have detracted from the focus on this being a spiritual discipline.
If it's something her (or his, don't know why I'm assuming) whole church is doing and he's/she's started losing successfully and doesn't want to ruin her momentum, I do think they could be done together. Having a general template of how to eat (and I agree it would be simple foods/preparations) and in advance calculating things like protein/calories so it's not too much fuss would work and would probably be a good idea if OP has not eaten anything other than omnivore before.
My own feeling is that I would avoid choosing a significant food-based sacrifice if focusing on weight loss and the choice were just mine (although I always eat more simply in Lent anyway), but if this is a group thing OP wants to participate in and wants to stick with something that is currently working for weight loss, I don't think it requires her to stop dieting or tracking or whatever. I think you can both do that (or find some other way to watch portions) AND focus on the spiritual fasting aspect. The spiritual aspect isn't the calories stuff, but eating simply, giving up luxuries you normally have, using the feeling of missing something as a reason to think about the reasons for the sacrifice and so on -- if you are someone who uses food to self comfort thinking of that cue and the food not being there as a reason to turn to God. (At least that's one reason I think fasting can be a useful spiritual discipline for people who find that kind of spirituality helpful -- clearly this forum has people with a huge variety of views and I am not preaching at anyone!)2 -
I don't know much about the specific fast, but the blog Olive Tomato mentions Greek Orthodox fasting a lot and has lots of related recipes that you may find useful.0
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I don't have personal experience, but a coworker of mine did a modified version of the Daniel fast with her son and their church. They were allowed a minimal amount of chicken or fish (one meal per day). They ate a lot of fruits and vegetables, which was good for them as it pushed them to try more than green beans and broccoli.
There were other things they gave up, such as all social media for the time they were fasting. I know she liked it from a spiritual standpoint.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I have the same concerns as lemurcat, but I'm even more skeptical - none of the foods on the approved list is praticularly high in protein; when maintaining weight, it should be easy enough to get enough protein, but when dieting, you need the same amount of protein, but fewer calories (you know this, that's what you're asking for help with); and if you're not used to eating a vegan diet, you have to learn a different way to plan and cook, as well as tolerating a different range of flavors and textures - this is challenging enough when you're eating enough to maintain weight - but you're having a Woody Allen dilemma (terrible food and small portions). Personally, I wouldn't do the Daniel Fast unless I had at least some experience with vegan cooking and liked the food, or were not dieting.
I agree.
OP if you're going to do this fast, I would recommend eating at maintenance for those 40 days.0 -
Thanks everyone. I don’t think eating vegan will be a problem since I love veggies. I guess I just feel like I started mfp a month ago for serious. Up until now to lose weight I usually eat between 4-800 cal a day for months until I can’t susbtain it anymore. Can we say disordered eating
This past month I have focused on eating the calories mfp suggests and really focusing on what I’m eating long term etc.
And just as an FYI we aren’t doing it to follow rick warren. It’s 49 days to honor jesus’ time in the desert. Since he was resisting the temptation of the devil we will be resisting the temptation of spiritually unclean food. It’s to have some sort of increased connection in prayer and spirituality with god. There will be no modifications and no breaking fast until the end of the 40 days. It will be the focus of all sermons and small groups. I’m just nervous with my history of disordered eating that his could go the other way for me.
Thank you for all your tips and advice.6 -
Thanks everyone. I don’t think eating vegan will be a problem since I love veggies. I guess I just feel like I started mfp a month ago for serious. Up until now to lose weight I usually eat between 4-800 cal a day for months until I can’t susbtain it anymore. Can we say disordered eating
This past month I have focused on eating the calories mfp suggests and really focusing on what I’m eating long term etc.
And just as an FYI we aren’t doing it to follow rick warren. It’s 49 days to honor jesus’ time in the desert. Since he was resisting the temptation of the devil we will be resisting the temptation of spiritually unclean food. It’s to have some sort of increased connection in prayer and spirituality with god. There will be no modifications and no breaking fast until the end of the 40 days. It will be the focus of all sermons and small groups. I’m just nervous with my history of disordered eating that his could go the other way for me.
Thank you for all your tips and advice.
I think that's a very legitimate concern. Much as the church would not expect someone with health issues to do the fast, you may want to consider speaking to the pastor about a modified or limited version so as not to trigger your disordered behaviour. It doesn't honour anyone for you to come out of the fast having fallen back into worrisome, unhealthy habits.15 -
OP the fact that you previously dealt with disordered eating is whole other ball game. I would strongly advise finding a different way to focus on your faith than a very restrictive diet. I'm sure your church community would understand. If you do decide to do this, prioritize getting all your calories, and if it's a struggle at all to do so, please stop. That's not something to mess around with.5
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