Toss the grapefruits and shred the Atkins book. Those watching their weight have a new source for inspiration to lose fat and trim down — the so-called “God diet.”
And just in time for New Year’s resolution season.
The Daily Mail said the plan is also known as the Daniel Fast, based on the powerful Christian prophet who refused rich food for a plainer diet in order to stand firm in God’s word. The eating plan requires participants to eat nothing but fruit, vegetables and whole grains — and one of its key advocates, Susan Gregory, has put together some meal plans that she says follows Daniel’s own fare.
Out: Fish, meat, bread and anything sweetened or processed, The Daily Mail said. But Ms. Gregory said plan participants are allowed to cut back on — rather than completely cut out — their existing food choices, until finally reaching the stage where they’re eating nothing but foods that would have received the Daniel stamp of approval. Basically, she said, they start with two days of restricted eating each week.
The Bible teaches Daniel was captured by the Babylonians and imprisoned. He refused to eat the rich food provided by the king, saying he didn’t want to defile his body. The king agreed to let him continue his sparse diet — so long as he didn’t appear weak or fall ill. He didn’t; Daniel actually grew stronger than others in captivity who ate of the king’s food.
Ms. Gregory said the Daniel Fast was “a vegan diet with even more restrictions,” The Daily Mail reported. For instance, coffee and sugar are prohibited, leading to initial complaints of leg cramps, headaches and fatigue. But for those who stick with it, she said, the results are “a general feeling of wellbeing.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.