According to the Bible, Daniel, a young Jewish captive, was chosen to be trained as an adviser to king Nebuchadnezzar. During the course of the training program, he and his fellow captives were given the same food and wine from the royal table. Not wanting to defile his body, Daniel asked that he and three of his friends be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. After ten days they looked healthier than the other young men who ate the royal food.
“Daniel’s request was not about a diet plan; rather, he understood God wanted him to live a healthy lifestyle so he could serve God no matter where he was located,” said the Daniel Plan website. “Healthy living requires faith as the foundation, trusting that God’s way is the best way, while following his prescription for your health”.
This diet is a five-pronged process with strong Christian foundation—food, fitness, focus, faith and friends.
Pastor Rick Warren, author of the motivational book The Purpose Driven Life, came up with this diet plan in 2010 after seeing that many members of his church are on the heavier side. He teamed up with well-known proponents of healthy living including Dr Mehmet Oz, Dr Daniel Amen and Dr Mark Hymen to help him chart out the plan.