Have people been encouraging you to try white fasting, but you have no idea what it is or what it entails? Then check out this article to find out what to eat during white fasting in Nigeria.
White fasting definition
Before we jump into the foods, let’s define white fasting first, as a lot of people seem to be confused as for what it is. White fasting, also known as Daniel fast is a type of Christian fasting that gets its inspiration from Daniel chapter 10 verses 2-3 and Daniel chapter 1 verse 8. In said verses, Prophet Daniel did not eat ‘pleasant bread, flesh or wine’ for three weeks. In his words, he did not want to defile himself with King’s food while he was mourning.
Unlike many other fasts, this one is not tethered to any particular religious holiday. You can choose to go on white fast whenever you feel like you want to strengthen your spiritual connection with God.
Now, as these are the verses from the Old Testament, it is understandable that some things might have been lost in translation. That is why a lot of people are confused about what they can and cannot eat during white fast. For that reason, we want to clear up any misconceptions you might have and offer you a list of things you can eat during your days of fasting.
White fasting food
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While the most common translation of Daniel’s writings states that he only drank water and ate vegetables, people who choose to go on the white fast can also eat fruits and whole grains. Why is that? It is because the earliest translations of his verses actually used the word ‘pulse’, which meant ‘food grown from seeds’. This includes, of course, vegetables, but also whole grains and fruits.
As for beverages, there has been no miscommunication, so all you can drink during the fast is water. And we mean it, no tea, coffee, juice, especially anything alcoholic. During this fast, all that is on the drinks menu for you is H2O.
Just to make it clear, here are the things you can eat and use in cooking during the white fast:
- Fruits (frozen, fresh, canned or dried, as long as there are no added sweeteners);
- Vegetables (same as the fruits);
- Natural spices (ginger, garlic, peppers, etc.);
- Whole grains;
- Flat or whole grain bread (as long as all the ingredients are natural, and there is no yeast);
- Legumes;
- Seeds and nuts;
- Natural cooking oils (preferably olive oil, but any other natural oil will do);
- Plant-based milk (only for cooking, as you cannot drink it during fast).
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Now that we have talked about the things you can eat, let us say a few words about the things you cannot consume. As you might have guessed, if a certain food is not on the list above, you cannot eat it during fast.
Most importantly, you cannot eat meat or any other animal products in any way, shape or form. Imagine that you have become vegan for three weeks, only a much more hardcore version, as you will also need to say ‘no’ to deep-fried foods, most ready-made meals and snacks, and even regular bread.
To prove the point that Daniel fast is not that easy, you cannot consume any sweeteners, not even honey. This means that you cannot chew gum or eat breath mints either. You also should not forget that the only thing you can drink is water.
All that said, even though Daniel fast is not the most extreme way to fast, you should still consult your doctor if you have any health issues that might be exacerbated by you changing your diet so significantly. Moreover, you should still take your medicine while fasting.
All in all, if you already have a mostly plant-based diet and avoid meat and other animal products, this type of fasting should not be that big of an issue for you. So if you want to feel a deeper spiritual connection with God and take a step towards healthier food choices (even if it is just for three weeks), you should definitely try the white fasting.
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Source: Naija.ng