Can You Eat Oatmeal on the Daniel Fast?

Can you eat oatmeal on the Daniel Fast? Yes, if you’re mindful of the ingredients! Keep reading to see fast-friendly oatmeal mix-ins.

The Daniel Fast, inspired by the biblical story of the Prophet Daniel, is something a lot of churches do at the beginning of the year- my church included. This fast involves cutting out certain foods for 21 days, using that longing for the food to instead long for God and hear what He has planned for us. It’s all laid out in the book of Daniel.

Breakfast is super important in keeping your energy levels up during the day, and oatmeal is a popular option. Is oatmeal allowed on the Daniel Fast?

The short answer: You CAN eat oatmeal on the Daniel Fast, but you need to be mindful of the ingredients and what you add to it.

Oatmeal happens to be one of my favorite breakfast foods, so let me go into more detail on what’s allowed and how oatmeal can become a staple on your Daniel Fast!

Permitted foods on the Daniel Fast

If you want an entire list, be sure to visit my other blog post to get a list of Daniel Fast-friendly foods!

Basically, during the Daniel Fast you eat plant-based foods and avoid animal products, refined sugars and artificial sweeteners, deep fried foods, and other artificial additives.

Here’s a short list of the foods that are allowed:

• Brown rice
• Whole wheat pasta (Sometimes up for debate)
• Whole wheat tortillas (Again, can be up for debate)
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Chickpeas
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Nuts and seeds, like sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds

In short, it’s basically a vegan diet where you stay away from dairy products, animal products, and other “processed” foods.

You can find a free 7-day Daniel Fast meal plan here!

All about oatmeal

Oatmeal can be categorized into old-fashioned oats, quick-cut oats (Or quick oats), or steel-cut oats. These whole grains are made up complex carbohydrates, fiber, and other essential nutrients.

Oats can also help lower cholesterol and can keep you full for longer periods of time. They’re also gluten free, although make sure you buy certified gluten-free oats if you have allergies.

As a Nutrition Coach, I recommend oatmeal to all my clients when they look for breakfast ideas. It’s the perfect breakfast, even for when you’re off the Daniel Fast!

Which oatmeal to avoid

I just said oatmeal is good for you, but there is one kind to be mindful of when on the Daniel Fast. And that’s the oatmeal packets you can find at the grocery store.

Most of those packets contain added sugar and other ingredients that are not fast friendly. And they’re actually more expensive per-ounce than buying a huge tub of rolled oats. You’re better off buying a 42-ounce tub of oats and making your own oatmeal. Make sure you read the ingredient labels!

Fast-friendly ingredients to add to oatmeal

With all the sugary foods off the list, what CAN you put in oatmeal to make it taste better?

The good news is, there are a ton of fast-friendly foods you can put in your breakfast. Here are some examples:

• Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or other plant-based milk
• Fresh fruit like sliced bananas, diced apples, or blueberries
• Nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter- adds extra protein!
• Nuts and seeds- chia seeds add fiber and protein

Since sweeteners like honey and refined sugar are off the list, rely on the natural sweetness from fresh fruits or even unsweetened applesauce.

How to eat oatmeal that’s not plain oatmeal

Even I get bored of a bowl of oatmeal. But you can use oats in different ways that’s still fast appropriate but delicious!

• Baked oatmeal: It’s almost a cake-like consistency and so good! Try this fast-friendly baked oatmeal recipe.
• Overnight oats: This is basically cold oatmeal. You mix all the ingredients into a Mason jar or something similar, and leave it overnight in the fridge to soak the oats and get it all creamy and delicious. Try this fast-friendly overnight oats recipe!

Final thoughts

Oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious choice for your Daniel Fast. It’s extremely versatile and lets you make creative dishes that align with the plant-based principles of the fast. Just read the nutrition labels and make mindful choices.

Ultimately, it’s all about you and God, and listening to His word. He doesn’t want perfect; He just wants your heart. Use this information as you see fit and good luck in your fast!

Other helpful Daniel Fast articles

• Daniel Fast snack ideas
• 7-day Daniel Fast meal plan
• Daniel Fast foods list printable
• Daniel Fast on a budget