Daniel Fast

cdominique11 · December 2013

I've decided to do a 21 day fast. In this fast you can't eat meat, all sweets, and you can only drink water.
Do you think it would be a problem? And is anyone else doing it?

jennypenny1014 · December 2013

Is this a joke? Cause I can't see anyone in their right mind actually opting to fast while pregnant (unless it's for religious reasons, and even then....)

ETA: gif

BiggerinRealLife · December 2013

Yeah, I agree. Definitely consult your doctor before doing anything major with dietary changes, especially one that will restrict nutrients. From what I understand your body will do whatever it can to protect your baby, so if you're not eating enough nutrients for the baby your body will start giving them up from your resources. So you'd have two drains on your system: the fast and the baby. If I may ask, what prompted you to want to do the fast?

MissWhis · December 2013

I don't think cutting out sweets and only drinking water would be a problem, but if you are normally a meat eater I would continue with that through the rest of your pregnancy and breast feeding. It's a good source of protein which you and baby need lots of right now!

I've done quite a few fasts pre-pregnancy and they can be stressful! I would highly recommend avoiding this right now unless medically necessary and under supervision of a doctor.

zoopsiedaisy · December 2013

Protein is crucial to pregnancy and while of course vegetarian and vegan lifestyles can be totally adequate for pregnancy, it takes time, study and dedication to make sure you are getting enough nutrients, proteins, etc... I would go to my doctor before considering this.

BiggerinRealLife · December 2013

Just looked up the fast to see what it's all about, and found this on the fast's website:

WHAT IF YOU HAVE HEALTH ISSUES?

Fasting should never bring harm to the body. And if you have concerns, be sure to consult your health professional before going on the Daniel Fast or making any major dietary change.

The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat! So health professionals will support this eating plan, but might suggest a few modifications if you have health issues that need special attention. For example, pregnant and nursing mothers might get instructions to add fish, chicken and cheese into the Daniel Fast, but otherwise stay the course. Diabetics may need to add more carbohydrates or include chicken and fish. Also, those who are especially active either through sports, bodybuilding or vocation may need to slightly alter the eating plan.

AKA Talk to your doc!

cdominique11 · December 2013

Yeah it is for religious purpose.

cdominique11 · December 2013

https://danielfast.wordpress.com/daniel-fast-food-list/
This is the food list for the fast

sueann911 · December 2013

Consult your doctor. It seems like a vegetarian list but I would be cautious about changing your diet so strictly while pregnant.

zoopsiedaisy · December 2013

I looked at the food list before posting. I still think you should ask your doctor and read what @BiggerinRealLife posted.

cdominique11 · December 2013

I will. Trust me ladies, I'm going to use wisdom first.

Bluebird2318 · December 2013

Definitely consult your doctor as PP have mentioned. It's certainly possible to do things like this in a healthy manner with appropriate knowledge and professional guidance, but it takes a conscious effort to replace the things you are cutting out with functional equivalents. Simply cutting out the no-no list isn't enough.

To me, that looks like a vegan diet, which is really restrictive and difficult to pick up if you are not already used to buying and eating vegan. That being the case, even if your doctor okays it, you might want to consider altering it slightly to account for your condition while you are still pregnant, like allowing for fish products so that you get adequate DHA (important for fetal brain development).

Personally, I wouldn't attempt that kind of diet change without consulting a dietitian/nutritionist who is well-versed in vegan eating, even if I wasn't pregnant.

Lindsay808 · December 2013

Excuse me for not knowing much about this and if it's designated for certain months but... Couldn't you just hold off until after April?

Serenla · December 2013

Hell no.

cdominique11 · December 2013

It's a fast my church does every year, starting in January. This is something I've been doing for years, so it's nothing new.

Serenla · December 2013

cdominique11 said:
It's a fast my church does every year, starting in January. This is something I've been doing for years, so it's nothing new.

I had friends/family who fasted for religious purposes and was exempt when they were pregnant. It is just something I wouldn't play with.

homediva · December 2013

To my understanding, even in religious fasting, pregnant (and i think nursing) mothers are exempt. I ABSOLUTELY would not fast in and way, shape or form during pregnancy, or make a major change to your diet such as cutting out meat! Just do a modified version and cut out sweets. Sorry, but even the thought of any sort of diet or fast during pregnancy is absolutely ridiculous, honestly.

seannasmommy16 · December 2013

I like food way to much to do any kinda fast or diet right now.

maelic · December 2013

seannasmommy16 said:

I like food way to much to do any kinda fast or diet right now ever.

Fixed that for you.

KatieGummow · December 2013

May I ask the religion you practice? Just curious, no worries if you don't feel comfortable answering.

I am glad you will talk to your doctor about it. If you decide to do it, and feel like you cannot do it any longer just don't feel guilty about it, you are doing something much more important than fasting.

pineconey · December 2013

You could also consider joining in completely every other day, then on the off days still consuming the meat. I agree with pp's that say water only and no sweets shouldn't hurt, but I already have a tough time getting enough protein.
Also consider choosing something else to fast from. Ex: just water, no sweets, and instead of meat, fast from music in the car, tv, movies, etc.

TallaB · December 2013

As someone who doesn't eat meat, I don't think going meat free is harmful in the least. However - when I initially gave up meat (not while pregnant), It took me a while to find a balance of healthy eating and additional protein. You will struggle with meeting your protein requirements at first, and will probably overindulge in carbs. I actually gained quite a bit of weight before finding a balance that worked for me. So while I would never discourage someone from going vegetarian - I don't know that 20-someodd weeks pregnant is the time to do it.

Sunshinelou · December 2013

It's a Christain thing based on Daniel from the Bible. I had a friend do It and from what he said it is more about eliminating processed and unnatural foods. Maybe people are assuming it means you stop eating? If you are not trying to lose weight right now(which it doesn't sound like you are trying to do) and you make sure you are getting enough calories, fat, and nutrients...I don't see what it would hurt. That being said, I think it is a must to discuss it with your doctor first. You may need to make a few adjustments to accomidate for the pregnancy.

KatieGummow · December 2013

Sunshinelou said:

It's a Christain thing based on Daniel from the Bible. I had a friend do It and from what he said it is more about eliminating processed and unnatural foods.

Got it, thanks for answering my curiosity!

ETA: Spelling

katieharpiceland · December 2013

You could even just do a modified version and eliminate red meat. But, as I understood fasting from my years in Christian school, its more about giving up something and not necesarily about what you give up. As PP's mentioned, you could easily still take part and benefit spiritually even if your fast isn't as strict as the others.

cdominique11 · December 2013

My doctor suggested that I modify the fast. No red meat is fine, just eat fish and chicken. All water is perfect, but twice a week I need to drink a full glass of milk.
He said that a few of his patients are going on the fast. We don't have to be as strict.

I'm not doing this fast to lose weight. I do this fast to cleanse and refresh myself physically and spiritually. So I can excerise my faith with God. Cause this year I have fallen off big time.

HeatherSP13 · December 2013

I'm Catholic. I will be changing fasting behavior during Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent, Good Friday, etc. Pregnant & nursing woman are exempt. But a friend of mine told me she will usually abstain from something else like internet, tv, etc in place of food so that she is still participating in spiritual beliefs.

railroadRN · December 2013

Do NOT fast while pregnant. I've done this fast before I was pregnant and it is not pregnancy-friendly.

Daniel Fast

Re: Daniel Fast

WHAT IF YOU HAVE HEALTH ISSUES?

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