Search Results for: Babylonians

The Daniel Fast is a fast–a period of time when a person stops eating either certain foods or all foods and beverages–that many modern Christians and Jews observe as a either a New Year’s tradition or at any time of the year they feel the need to reconsecrate themselves with prayer and a closer attention to their relationship with God. Based on a particular segment of the Bible that relates the life of the prophet Daniel, the Daniel Fast has a specific list of foods that can and cannot be eaten during the fast.

The Daniel Fast is a particular type of fast–the practice of intentionally not consuming certain types of foods, beverages or, sometimes, both–for a set period of time. It is described in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. After being taken captive by the Babylonians in the late 6th century, Daniel asked his guards to allow him, as a Jew, to eat only vegetables, legumes and fruit, since the Babylonian diet did not conform to Mosaic Law. Modern Christians and Jews follow the Daniel Fast by abstaining from all animal products, sweeteners and beverages other than water. For these individuals, the protein provided by nuts is an important aspect of staying healthy while on the Fast. Fortunately, a wide variety of nuts are appropriate to eat while conforming to the rules of the Fast.