White fasting otherwise known as Daniel’s fasting is a biblical fasting based on Daniel’ s spiritual experiences as recorded in Daniel 1 vs 12 where Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself with the king’s food. So he requested ” Test your servants for 10 days, let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink”

In trying to get the white fasting right, a lot of questions has come up on what to eat and what not to eat during the period. Can I eat egg during white fasting? Can I eat bread during white fasting? Can I eat boiled plantain during white fasting? What can I eat during white fasting?

If those are some of the questions you currently have, I will provide both spiritual and health-related answers to it from days of careful research.

Does this sound interesting? Let’s get started quickly.

First, what is white fasting?

White fasting is a kind of restricted fasting in which meat, wine, and other rich or processed foods are avoided in favor of vegetables and water. White fasting also known as Daniel’s fasting is centered around Daniels’s dietary and spiritual experience as recorded in the book of prophet Daniel chapter 1 vs 12.

So, Can I eat boiled plantain during white fasting?

From personal experience observing white fasting plus days of detailed research, I can affirm that anyone can take boiled plantain during white fasting. This is because plantain is a plant-based food. But whatever sauce that goes with it during the fast should contain natural ingredients such as tomatoes or red oil.

In the book of prophet Daniel 1 vs 12, Daniel requested specifically to be tested with vegetables and water. Some other translations mentioned pulses in place of vegetables. Pulses in this context simply means plant-based items, edible seeds that grow in a pod. Pulses include beans, peas and lentils.

White fasting is a fast that originated from Daniel’s fast diet as seen in Daniel chapters 1 and 10, where Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s rich food (bread, diary, meat ,wine and other delicacies) but rather chose to go with vegetables, fruits, pulses and water for about 10 days or three weeks.

According to wikipedia, white fast also known as Daniel’s fast is a partial fast that is popular among evangelical protestants in North America, in which meat, wine, and other rich foods are avoided in favor of vegetables and water for typically three weeks in order to be more sensitive to God. Some modern translations stated specifically that what Daniel and his friends ate were anything with seeds like nuts, pulses (beans) whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Actually individuals can consume things like quinoa, brown rice and all kinds of natural fruits and vegetables. The only beverage they took during that period was water. Even though choice of food comes to mind whenever white fasting is mentioned, its actually a time of spiritual re-connection with your creator.

For nursing mothers, pregnant women and people with medical conditions, always consult your health care professional before embarking on any fasting diet plan.

Benefits of white fasting

White fasting which has its roots in Daniel’s fast diet has both physical and spiritual benefits. White fasting diet is essentially a vegan diet in that it excludes the consumption of animal products. It comprises of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans , nuts and seeds which focuses on reducing the the intake of processed foods and salty seasonings. Plant based diet can be used to prevent and treat diseases.

Spiritual benefits of white fasting

• Helps us to receive divine guidance, revelation or answer to a specific problem.

• Draws us nearer to God and makes us more sensitive to God’s voice.

• Releases us from the enemy’s power and stronghold

• Fasting weakens the power of the adversary

• Helps us to see things from God’s perspective

• Fasting frees us from bondage

• Fasting helps us to rid ourselves of evil thoughts because thoughts that are not Christ-like flood our minds most of the time.

• Fasting helps us to resist temptation from addictions that can destroy our lives.

Health benefits of white fasting

• White fasting makes all the arteries and blood vessels healthier

• When you eat whole grains and foods with nitrate, it makes the arteries bigger, able to expand and slow down aging.

• You are less likely to store fat and pick up inflammation that comes from processed foods.
• It helps in detoxifying the body

• It aids weight loss because plant-based foods are rich in fiber and contains phytochemicals.

• It losses us from addictions to sugar.
• When we eat plant based diet, there is less mutations in the brain, less generic damage and DNA stays healthier
• It helps us to keep the right levels of sodium in the body by not consuming excess sodium from processed foods.
• Adds vibrancy to your health because of the presence of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.
• Plant-based diet reduces bodily inflammation and oxidation which can result to ill health.
• Fasting boosts healthy hormonal balance.

Also read: Can I Drink Garri During White Fasting?

Food to eat during white fasting in Nigeria

Choosing the right food to eat during white fasting in Nigeria could be difficult but we will make it simple by providing a whole list of plant-based food as a guide so that the primary aim of embarking on white fasting is not defeated at the end of the day by allowing the rules involved to overrule the experience.

You can choose from the list below:

Fruits

• Fruits may either be fresh or frozen but not canned.

• Don’t go for dried fruits that contains sulfites, added oils or sweeteners. Choose dried fruits without added sugars.

• Low glycemic index fruits like citrus, cherries ,apple, berries are preferable but all fruits are okay for consumption in moderate quantities.

• Some examples of fruits to take during your white fasting are strawberries, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, apples, apricots, avocados, grapes, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes cherries, coconuts, dates, grapefruit,, watermelons, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, guava

Vegetables

• May be fresh, frozen, or dried but not canned.

• Vegetables should constitute at least 70% of the diet.
• Examples of vegetables to include in your diet during white fasting include: broccoli, Brussel sprouts,
• corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, cabbage, carrots, fluted pumpkin, cauliflower, celery, peppers, potatoes, water leaf, bitter leaf, wild spinach, jute leaf, African rosewood, bushbuck leaf, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, yams, basil leaves, Quail grass, Asparagus beets, mushrooms

Whole grains

• All whole grains are allowed during white fasting, but sprouted whole grains are ideal. That is whole grains that have been allowed to germinate before grinding into flour.
• They have relatively higher amounts of nutrients. Examples include: Brown rice, millet, oats, corn, popcorn, barley, buckwheat, rye, quinoa, whole wheat.

Legumes

• The most popular and widely used legumes are kidney bean, lentils and peas. They are also known as pulses.
• They are rich in protein, which makes them a perfect cheap replacement for meat. Other examples are soy beans, honey beans, chickpeas and lupin, black beans, black-eyed peas
• Canned ones not allowed because of possible additives.

Nuts

• Raw, organic and unsalted nuts. Examples are almonds, cashews, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds,, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashew nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds.

• Nut butters are also allowed during white fasting but it must not contain added sugars. Examples are almond butter, cashew nut butter, and peanut butter.

Natural oil

• Only natural oils like sesame, avocado, olive, coconut, grapeseed, are allowed during white fasting.

Liquid

• The only beverage to consume is water. Could be distilled, filtered or spring water.
• However you can also add homemade juices and unsweetened non-diary milk like almond, coconut, tiger nuts and soy.
• You can also infuse herbs and spices into the water.

Foods to avoid during white fasting

• Any animal product like meat.
• Dairy products like eggs, milk and related products such as cheese, yogurt..
• Fried foods including plantain chips, corn chips, French fries, potato chips, etc.
• Sweeteners including honey.
• Humanly modified or processed foods that contain artificial flavorings, food
• additives, and artificial preservatives.
• Nutritional shakes
• Beverages like alcohol, coffee, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, etc.

• Pastry foods such as white breads, pies, donuts, croissants, danishes and scones.

• Crackers, cookies gum, mints, and candy.
  

Some other questions people ask about white fasting

Can I eat boiled eggs during white fasting?

No, boiled eggs are not allowed during white fasting because eggs are animal-based products. White fasting food consists only of plant-based products as seen in Daniel’s meal plan which formed the bases of white fasting as recorded in the Bible. Legumes can serve as a replacement for eggs in terms of protein intake.

Can I eat bread during white fasting?

You can only take bread if you are sure it is made from whole grains or whole wheat without additives like yeast, sugar or preservatives. Refined grains like white flour is not allowed during white fasting so white bread and other pastries made with white flour like cakes, biscuits, etc. are not white fast friendly.

Can I take pap during white fasting?

Yes, pap is allowed because it is made from corn which is a whole grain. Whole grains are part of Daniel’s meal plan which makes pap white fast-friendly. However, if you need a sweetener for your pap, go for dates. Dates are natural sweeteners that can take the place of sugars in your meals during white fasting.

Can I drink milk during white fasting?

Yes, you can drink milk during white fasting but it has to be a homemade non-dairy milk devoid of artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Do not source your plant-based milk from the stores because they may contain all of these additives that are not Daniel fast-friendly. Home made plant -based milks are recommended.

Can I eat yam during white fasting?

Yes, only boiled yam is allowed during white fasting because it is a plant-based food. But since boiled yam goes well with sauce, be careful not to include any ingredient that is not Daniel fast friendly in preparing the sauce. Vegetables and tomatoes are good suggestions for your sauce or a meal of beans and yam.

Can I take sugar during white fasting?

The answer is no. You cannot take sugar because it is heavily processed and processed foods are not allowed during white fasting. But if you need a sweetener, you can only go for sweeteners that come in the form of fruits. Dates are fruits and they are equally sweet and so is a perfect replacement for sugar.

Can I eat beans during white fasting?

Yes, beans is allowed during white fasting because Daniel’s diet plan which formed the bases of white fasting includes fruits, vegetables, pulses(beans), wholegrains, nuts and water. In fact, beans are used as a primary source of protein during the fast. However, canned beans should be avoided because of preservatives.

Can I eat rice during white fasting?

Yes, rice is allowed during white fasting but it has to be unpolished or whole grain rice. Unpolished rice like brown rice or locally produced Nigerian ofada rice is recommended because they are unprocessed which makes it white-fast friendly. White rice is refined and therefore not allowed during white fasting.

Can I eat coconut during white fasting?

The answer is yes. Coconut is allowed during white fasting because it is a fruit. The combination of cabbage and coconut can actually serve as a snack in between meals during white fasting. Homemade coconut milk which is one of the plant-based milks can be taken with oat meal as a breakfast recipe during white fasting.

Can I eat groundnut during white fasting?

Yes, you can eat either cooked groundnuts which is actually the best or fried groundnuts without all of those additives. Incase you have plans of snacking on coated groundnuts or peanut burger, they are not allowed during white fasting because the ingredients used in making them are not white fast friendly.

Can I eat pepper during white fasting?

Yes, you can eat pepper during white fasting because it is a vegetable and vegetables are plant-based foods. Pepper is one of the oldest spices known to mankind. Different varieties of pepper are used in preparing meals as it enhances the flavor of foods. Pepper is rich in nutrients and has several health benefits.

Can I drink water during white fasting?

Of course yes. Water is the main beverage/drink taken during white fasting based on the rules as demonstrated by prophet Daniel in the Bible. But in addition to water, people have incorporated other beverages made of plant-based ingredients like natural fruit juices, homemade plant-based milk and vegetable juices.

Can I eat noodles during white fasting?

The answer is no. You cannot take noodles because it is heavily processed and processed foods are not allowed during white fasting. However, whole wheat pasta can be incorporated in your meal during white fasting. Whole wheat pasta is pasta made using the entire wheat kernel and that makes it white-fast friendly.

Can I eat fish during white fasting?

No, fish is not allowed during white fasting and it extends to any kind of seafood. Fish and seafoods were not part of Daniel’s food as seen in the book of prophet Daniel where white fasting originated from. You can get protein from plant-based sources of proteins like beans, high protein grains, seeds and nuts.

Can I eat corn during white fasting?

Corn is allowed during white fasting because it is plant-based food. However, incorporating canned sweet corn or any other type of processed corn into your meals during white fasting is not allowed as additives or preservatives present in them are not white-fast friendly. Fresh boiled/roasted corn can serve as a snack.

Can you eat crackers on Daniel’s fast?

No, crackers is not allowed on Daniel’s fast, otherwise known as white fasting because it is heavily processed. Remember, the aim of embarking on white fasting as seen in the book of prophet Daniel is to refrain from eating the “royal foods” which include meat, wine, processed foods, and focus on plant-based foods.

Can I take honey during white fasting?

Honestly, the answer is no. Honey is not allowed during white fasting because it is not plant-based. However, if you have a craving for something sweet, or you want a sweetener in your herbal tea, you can go for dates which is an alternative. Dates are fruits and they are sweet and can act as sweeteners in your food.

How to end white fasting properly

Its always a general practice for a lot of people to quickly jump on the foods they were fasting from once they come to the end of their fast. But that could be harmful to your digestive system and overall health. If you are ending your white fasting, there is always a way to end it successfully.

First, It is good to transition out of the fast just the way you transitioned into the fast by eliminating slowly some of the diet until you become completely free from what you are fasting from. For someone that just concluded a 3- day juice fast, you are not meant to take something like yam and egg sauce immediately. it will be harsh on your digestive system that needs to readjust to digesting such diet.

It is advisable to first go on smoothies and salads for a day and progress to something starchy the following day before going back to your normal diet. It would not be nice to go from one extreme to another extreme.

Second, add one element in at a time. Assuming you just fasted from diary products, you don’t add them in at once, it could be hard to digest and cause you some discomfort.

Lastly, identify and keep the diets you really enjoyed during your fasting and incorporate them in your diet forever.

White fasting is typically following the Daniel’s fasting in the Bible which is basically a plant-based diet fast. One good thing about white fasting is that you are physically detoxing while spiritually recharging. Like Daniel, millions of people around the world can attest to the life changing experience that plant-based food have had on their body and the spiritual alignment that comes through devotion and prayer.

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