‘One meal a day’ diet popular with celebrities could do more harm than good – here’s why (2024)

FAQs

Is the one meal a day diet good or bad? ›

Safety Concerns. For most people, there are no serious dangers involved in eating one meal a day, other than the discomforts of feeling hungry. That said, there are some risks for people with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Eating one meal a day can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol.

A recent study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital found participants who only ate between 7am and 3pm — much like Martin — lost more weight than those whose eating was spread out over the day, despite consuming the same number of calories, while their blood pressure and mood improved.

Fans of Omad include Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Many proponents of Omad claim it helps them better manage their weight and keep fit.

The researchers concluded that eating one meal per day could negatively impact the genes that help regulate the body clock, sleep-wake cycles, and metabolism. In another study , this time from 2017, 100 people consumed 25% of their energy needs in food on one day and 125% on the next, alternating days for a year.

Conclusion. If you can take one thing away from this it is that yes, one meal can definitely impact a week's worth of weight loss. However, every decision comes down to your individual goals within the context of your life.

Along with creating a calorie deficit, resulting in weight loss, advocates believe the OMAD diet's extended fasting period leads to physiological changes in the body that promote better health, including boosting your metabolism by triggering a process called ketosis, where your body burns stored fat for energy instead ...

Sample menu. Eating one meal a day is unlikely to give you the calories and nutrients your body needs to thrive unless carefully planned. Choosing to eat within a longer time period may help you increase your nutrient intake. If you do choose to try out eating one meal a day, you probably shouldn't do it 7 days a week.

Low-carb diets

Cutting carbs generally has the aim of sending the body into a state of ketosis, a fat-burning process. Plenty of celebrities talk about avoiding carbs – from Kim Kardashian (who says she cuts them out completely to lose weight) to Halle Berry, who uses a keto diet to help manage her diabetes.

And celebrities like Lori Harvey openly speak out about only consuming 1,200 calories as their way to lose weight. In a recent TikTok video, which has reached almost 1.5 million views, the 25-year-old celeb and model talked about how she gained "relationship weight" when she first started dating Michael B.

Aniston keeps it simple for both lunch and dinner, opting for "some form of vegetables or salad with protein—pretty basic." Her dinner is "probably the same," though she's been known to mix it up with a chicken burger wrapped in lettuce.

Does Bruce Springsteen eat only one meal a day? ›

Chris Martin eats only one meal a day. The Coldplay frontman said he got the idea from Bruce Springsteen, who does the same.

Apple cider vinegar, the fermented drink loved by a host of A-list celebrities, could significantly boost weight loss, a BMJ study suggests. Elizabeth Hurley, Jennifer Aniston and Victoria Beckham are among those who claim the drink is part of their health regime.

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

Some evidence suggests potential benefits in weight management and insulin sensitivity, which are critical for people with diabetes. Nevertheless, the research is ongoing, and current findings should not be seen as conclusive.

Breakfast as we know it didn't exist for large parts of history. The Romans didn't really eat it, usually consuming only one meal a day around noon, says food historian Caroline Yeldham. In fact, breakfast was actively frowned upon. "The Romans believed it was healthier to eat only one meal a day," she says.

How Much Weight Will I Lose If I Eat One Meal a Day? You may lose anywhere between 0.5-2 pounds per week if you consistently consume fewer calories than your body burns. This estimate is based on a daily calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories, which is considered a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss.

It's normal and acceptable to enjoy an indulgent meal from time to time, just don't make it a regular occurrence. Don't think of a bad meal as cheating, but rather as a “conscious indulgence.” As long as you follow a healthy diet 90 percent of the time, you can have a “conscious indulgence” two to three times a week.

If a person fasts for 24 hours, the body runs out of its stored energy source, known as glycogen. Fat and protein are then used as an energy source. Effects on the body include weight loss, preventing certain diseases, and improving cardiovascular health.

If you've tried intermittent fasting but aren't losing weight, possible reasons why include overeating during your eating window and poor food choices. To help, you can try eating fewer calories, work on balancing your meals, or create a smaller or larger eating window.