Can You Drink Coffee on the Daniel Fast?

Giving up coffee was the hardest part of my first Daniel Fast — by day two I had a headache that made me question everything. As a certified nutritionist, I now tell every client planning their first fast: prepare for this one specifically, because it catches almost everyone off guard.

The Short Answer

Can you drink coffee on the Daniel Fast? No, coffee is not permitted.

This holds true for all varieties of coffee, including:

❌ Ordinary black coffee
❌ Decaffeinated coffee
❌ Cold brew
❌ Espresso
❌ Plant milk coffee (the coffee itself is still not approved)
❌ Instant coffee
❌ Drinks with coffee flavour

This is probably the hardest aspect of the Daniel Fast if you drink coffee every day, especially during the first three days.

Fortunately, there are cosy, satisfying substitutes that make the shift much easier than most people expect. This guide explains why coffee isn’t included, what you can drink instead, and how to handle the withdrawal symptoms many beginners run into from cutting caffeine.

For the complete list of all approved and excluded foods and drinks, visit → [The Ultimate Daniel Fast Food List].

Why Is Coffee Not Allowed on the Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is based on the biblical story of Daniel 1:12, where Daniel chose to consume only water and vegetables, the most basic, natural foods.

Coffee doesn’t fit within the rules that have developed around the Daniel Fast over time for a few reasons:

1. Coffee is a stimulant, not a natural beverage. Caffeine activates the central nervous system. The Daniel Fast is built around a return to basic, whole, natural nutrition; stimulants don’t fit that.

2. Decaf coffee is excluded too. Many people assume decaf is fine since it has no caffeine. But decaffeination is a heavily processed procedure, using chemical solvents or high-pressure techniques, which classifies it as a processed food. The Daniel Fast excludes processed foods and drinks regardless of caffeine content.

3. The spiritual purpose of the fast matters. The Daniel Fast isn’t only about eating plant-based foods; it’s also a spiritual practice. Part of the point is letting go of comforts and pleasures to help you focus and make a deliberate sacrifice. For many people, coffee is exactly that kind of comfort, and giving it up is meant to be intentional.

4. Most coffee drinks contain additives. Even plain black coffee is often enjoyed with sweeteners, flavoured syrups, milk, or non-dairy creamers, none of which are permitted on the Daniel Fast.

What Can You Drink on the Daniel Fast?

Coffee being off the table doesn’t mean you’re limited to plain water. Here’s the full list of approved beverages:

✅ Water

Still and sparkling water are both fully approved and should be your main drink during the fast. Aim for 2-3 litres daily, many people on the Daniel Fast underestimate their water needs once coffee and other drinks are removed.

Enhance your water: Add lemon, lime, cucumber slices, or fresh mint for flavour while staying within the guidelines.

✅ Herbal Teas (Unsweetened)

This is the approved substitute for the warm, comforting ritual of a morning coffee.

Best herbal teas for the Daniel Fast:

• Peppermint tea — refreshing, gives a natural lift
• Chamomile tea — calming, especially good in the evening
• Ginger tea — warming, great for digestion
• Rooibos tea — naturally caffeine-free, slightly sweet
• Lemon and ginger tea — a popular morning coffee replacement
• Hibiscus tea — tart and refreshing, served hot or cold
• Turmeric and ginger tea — anti-inflammatory and warming

Important: All herbal teas must be unsweetened — no honey, sugar, or stevia.

What to avoid: Black, green, oolong, and white tea all contain caffeine and aren’t approved, even though they’re technically “tea”. Only caffeine-free herbal infusions count.

✅ 100% Fruit and Vegetable Juices

Squeezed juice with no added sugar or preservatives is allowed:

• Freshly squeezed orange juice
• Homemade juice made with spinach, cucumber, celery, and lemon
• Fresh watermelon juice
• Fresh carrot juice

Avoid carton juice, juice from concentrate, or any juice with added sugar or preservatives.

✅ Coconut Water (Unsweetened)

Plain unsweetened coconut water is approved; it’s natural and rich in potassium and electrolytes, which helps if you’re feeling tired during the fast. Check the label carefully, since many commercial brands add sugar or flavouring. The ingredient list should say coconut water only.

✅ Unsweetened Plant Milks

Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and hemp milk are approved on their own or in smoothies and oatmeal. Each must be free of added flavouring, additives, or anything beyond the base ingredient.

How to Handle Caffeine Withdrawal on the Daniel Fast

This is the practical section most people skip and the one that matters most.

If you drink coffee daily, stopping suddenly when the fast begins can bring on uncomfortable symptoms: headaches are the most common, along with fatigue, low energy, irritability, trouble concentrating, and occasionally nausea.

These symptoms usually peak between 24 and 48 hours after quitting coffee, but they don’t last long; most people feel better within three to five days. This is completely normal; it’s just your body adjusting, and it will pass.

How to reduce withdrawal symptoms:

Start cutting back 5-7 days before the fast begins. Don’t stop suddenly on day one. Slowly taper your coffee intake the week before; if you drink three cups a day, drop to two for two days, then one, then half a cup, then stop. This makes a real difference in how bad withdrawal feels.

Drink more water than usual during the first three days. Dehydration makes headaches worse. Carry a water bottle and sip throughout the day.

Use herbal tea as your morning ritual replacement. Coffee’s appeal is often the warm mug and quiet morning as much as the caffeine itself. Swap it for a mug of ginger or hibiscus tea; the ritual itself brings comfort, caffeine or not.

Eat consistently. Low blood sugar makes caffeine withdrawal headaches worse. Don’t skip meals; eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks consistently through the day.

Rest more than usual. Your body is adjusting to the absence of caffeine. Let yourself go to bed earlier and rest more during those first 5-7 days; it genuinely helps.

Common Mistakes People Make With Drinks on the Daniel Fast

Assuming any tea counts as herbal tea. Green tea contains caffeine and isn’t approved. Herbal teas are caffeine-free plant infusions, not the same as green, black, or white tea.

Using water drops or electrolyte tablets. These can be tempting, but many contain artificial sweeteners, colours, or other additives you might not want. Plain water is always the safest choice, sparkling water works too if you want fizz, and fruit slices add natural flavour without any extra chemicals.

Assuming any plant milk is approved. Many commercial almond and oat milks have added sugar, vanilla flavouring, or other additives. Always read the label; the ingredient list should be short with no sweeteners.

Choosing bottled juice instead of fresh juice. Bottled juices are pasteurised, often contain preservatives, and frequently have added sugar. Freshly squeezed juice is approved; bottled juice usually isn’t.

Forgetting that kombucha isn’t approved. Kombucha contains alcohol from fermentation, so it’s not Daniel Fast approved despite being plant-based.

FAQs

Can I drink decaf coffee on the Daniel Fast?
No. Decaffeinated coffee is heavily processed and isn’t approved, regardless of its caffeine content.

Can I drink black tea on the Daniel Fast?
No. Black tea contains caffeine — only herbal, caffeine-free teas are approved.

Can I drink green tea on the Daniel Fast?
No. Green tea contains caffeine and isn’t the same as herbal tea.

Can I add lemon to my water on the Daniel Fast?
Yes, fresh lemon slices or squeezed lemon juice in water is fully approved and encouraged for hydration.

What’s the best coffee replacement on the Daniel Fast?
Most people find warm ginger tea, rooibos tea, or lemon and ginger tea best to replace the ritual and warmth of coffee. Chicory root tea is also popular; it has a slightly bitter, coffee-like flavour and is caffeine-free.

Can I drink sparkling water on the Daniel Fast?
Yes, plain sparkling water with no added flavouring, sweeteners, or sodium is approved, and it’s great if you like a little fizz.

Final Thoughts

Giving up coffee is one of the hardest parts of the Daniel Fast for most people. The withdrawal symptoms usually pass within a week, and after that, many people say they feel clearer, calmer, and more focused once caffeine is out of their system.

To make the transition easier: swap your morning coffee for herbal tea, drink plenty of water all day, and taper your caffeine slowly in the days before you start.

For everything else you can and cannot drink on the Daniel Fast, visit → [The Ultimate Daniel Fast Food List]
For a full week of Daniel Fast meals and drinks planned out for you, visit → [7 Day Daniel Fast Meal Plan for Beginners]