Victoria Beckham recently shared in an interview with the UK Telegraph that she has been eating the same meals – grilled fish and steamed vegetables – for 25 years. Similarly, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, in an interview with Slurp, revealed that she follows this type of diet sometimes. These celebrity stories have made this diet a hot topic. To learn more, we asked experts about celebrity-approved monotrophic diets.
What is monotrophic diet?
“A monotrophic diet, or ‘mono diet,’ is a simple way of eating where you eat only one type of food or a small selection of similar foods for a set period of time to lose weight,” says DT. Komal Malik, Chief Dietician, Asian Hospital, Faridabad. Celebrities like Beckham and Sharma often choose this diet as it is easy to follow and reduces the effort of meal planning.
This diet is popular among those trying to lose weight because it focuses on one food or food group. “One of the main benefits of the mono diet is that it is calorie-restricted, which can help with short-term weight loss,” says DT. Malik. It can also help people figure out which foods are best for their bodies by limiting variety.
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Monotrophic diet is easy to follow and helps to reduce calorie intake quickly. D.T. Malik explains, “It simplifies meal planning, reduces stress about food, and gives your stomach a rest by processing fewer types of food. It can also help identify food sensitivities or allergies that may be missed by a varied diet.
“It also removes the need to decide what to eat, which can reduce decision fatigue. Eating the same foods for a while can help some people figure out what works best for their digestion or energy levels,” she adds. However, this approach also has its disadvantages. Are.
Risks of ‘mono’ diet
D.T. Malik warns that although a mono diet can help with rapid weight loss, it is not sustainable in the long run. “Since mono diets are calorie-restricted, it often leads to nutrient deficiencies,” she says. “This lack of variety can weaken the immune system, reduce energy levels and harm overall health. Most mono diets focus on just one food, like fruits or grains, which don’t provide all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.”
Eating the same food again and again can affect digestion and metabolism. “This can make digestion less efficient and even cause food intolerances. Over time, the body may struggle to process that food properly, leading to digestive problems,” DT says. Debjani Banerjee, in-charge of dietetics at PSRI Hospital.
Clinical dietitian Garima Goyal further explains, “A diverse diet promotes a healthy gut microbiome. A mono diet reduces the diversity of nutrients needed to support diverse gut bacteria, leading to potential digestive problems and weakened immunity.
things to consider
Monotrophic diets may work for some people, especially under the guidance of a health care professional. However, D.T. Banerjee warned, “A diet with little variety can do more harm than good. If someone wants to try a mono diet, it should be done only with strict supervision.”
“This diet is not suitable for everyone, especially people with conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. If you want to try a mono diet, choose nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits or whole grains. Be sure to stay hydrated and consider supplements if necessary,” says Goyal.
For long-term health, a balanced and varied diet is still the best choice. As DT Malik summarized, “The body needs a variety of nutrients to function well, which a mono diet cannot provide over time.”
