How Much Weight Can You Lose on the Daniel Fast?

Weight loss on the Daniel Fast is very common. The amount of weight you lose on the Daniel Fast depends on the diet you’re starting from, your current weight, and your level of adherence to the plan.

Your starting diet

Typically, when someone has been eating what is commonly referred to as the standard American diet—high in fat, sugar, salt, and calories—making a shift to a Daniel Fast nutrition plan will result in weight loss. The standard American diet (often abbreviated to SAD) can make people sick with obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, certain cancers, and other chronic conditions.

If you’ve been eating less than 3 servings of vegetables and fruits each day, and getting most of your calories from either animal products—cheese, meat, poultry, and eggs—or vegan junk food, you’re likely starting from the SAD or vegan-SAD. 

If, on the other hand, you are starting from a diet that’s higher in whole plant foods, perhaps considered “plant-forward,” then weight loss on the Daniel Fast may be a matter of adjusting your plate to be mostly foods even lower on the calorie density spectrum—such as vegetables, fruits, intact whole grains and legumes, with fewer plant-fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado.

Finally, eliminating alcohol during the fast often helps facilitate weight loss. You see, alcohol is high in calories and promotes excessive eating and poor sleep quality. So taking alcohol out of your diet can help lower your weight during the Daniel Fast.

Your current weight

People who are already closer to their ideal healthy weight don’t lose as much weight as people who have more weight to lose. That’s because body weight and body composition influence basal metabolism. Basel metabolism is the number of calories you burn to keep your physiological processes working, like maintaining a normal body temperature, breathing, etc. Generally, the greater your weight, the greater your basal metabolism. That’s why weight loss on the Daniel Fast is higher for heavier people.

Your adherence to the Daniel Fast determines weight loss

The amount of weight you lose is somewhat up to you. Weight loss is partially determined by how well you follow the Daniel Fast as prescribed. When Sersie’s friend invited her to do the Daniel Fast, Sersie shared her initial thoughts to keep eggs and dairy in the menu. But her friend insisted that Sersie do it as prescribed. Sersie got the best results by adhering to the plan. She experienced weight loss, lower blood pressure, and mental and spiritual clarity. Don’t cheat yourself by tweaking the plan to keep your favorite foods that aren’t a part of the fast.

Weight loss on the Daniel Fast and much more

Now that you know the factors involved, we can go back to the question of how much weight you can lose on the Daniel Fast. It can vary between no weight loss to upwards of 15 pounds or more within the four weeks of the fast.

The great news is the Daniel Fast is so much more than a way to lose weight. It creates meaningful connections between your faith and what you eat. You can have a new, healthy relationship with food. It can reduce your risk of health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It’s a plan for the whole person, and it can be a bridge to healthy living. It will not only help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, but also bring you closer to God. Because, after all, God wants you healthy.  

Learn more about how the Daniel Fast can help you manage stress, lower blood pressure and boost your immune system. Also, check out how prayer can help you to lose weight.