Finding the right balance of foods to lose weight can be a challenging and often frustrating undertaking. As a result, many people approach their diet with the motto: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Once you’ve found one type of food that works for you, why not eat it regularly?
This way of eating – which many call a monotropic diet – certainly leaves out the guesswork and makes things simpler, but is it good for you in the long run? Here’s why many experts, including our team at MediPlan Diet Services, advise against consuming the same thing every day.
Rebound Weight Gain
A monotropic diet is not a long-term solution to losing weight because it’s not sustainable. When you keep eating the same food – even if it’s your favorite – you will eventually grow tired of it. This “eating fatigue” can discourage you from continuing your diet and propel you to do the opposite – overeating.
Lower Muscle Mass
When you eat the same thing every day, it’s likely your body won’t get enough “building blocks” to maintain and produce new muscles. Your metabolism greatly suffers when you lose muscle mass, which can make healthy weight loss very difficult.
Mental Health Impact
Many health professionals agree that monotropic diets encourage the development of eating disorders. When you restrict yourself to only eating certain foods, it can lead to feelings of deprivation and create an unhealthy binge-eating cycle that’s difficult to stop.
Denying yourself a variety of food can also lead to other serious mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and general mood problems.
Nutrient Deficiency
No single food source offers a complete, healthy balance of essential nutrients. Eventually, your body becomes deficient, and you will feel weak, fatigued, and lightheaded. With no energy to exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle, it becomes more challenging to lose weight.
Nutrient Toxicity
On the opposite end of the spectrum, regularly ingesting the same food can give your body excess nutrients. For instance, eating only bananas will raise your potassium intake to dangerous levels and cause poor heart health.
Another example is broccoli, which, when consumed too frequently, can interfere with your thyroid gland. Without proper thyroid function, your metabolic system can suffer and make it harder to lose weight.
The Bottom Line
While monotropic diets can lead to short-term weight loss, they are unsustainable, increase your risk of nutrient deficiencies, and promote unhealthy eating habits. For this reason, following a well-balanced diet including a variety of foods is a much better option to promote lasting weight loss and better health.
We Can Develop a Tailor-Fit Diet Plan for You
Are you having a hard time with your diet? Whether it’s finding the right balance of foods or creating a good schedule, we’re here to make things easier. At MediPlan Diet Services, we are experts at helping people achieve their weight loss goals safely and effectively.
Call us at 901-362-7546 and schedule an appointment today!