No one thinks it’s particularly odd if you have the same thing for breakfast every day. Even having a regular lunch isn’t viewed as being extremely strange. But, if you eat the exact same thing every single day, people will think you’re odd. However, as odd as it might be, the question is, is eating the same menu daily unhealthy?
We’ve all heard that you need a varied diet to stay healthy. But is it true? Some people are picky eaters who stick to pretty much the same thing all the time. If you’re busy, it’s easy to fall into routines for months on end. Others trying to control their weight or are on special diets do the same thing. If you’re eating healthy foods with a balance of vegetables, complex carbs and protein, does it matter? There are pros to it. You know how many calories you’re eating. Meal prepping and trips to the grocery stores are easy. You know you’ll enjoy what you eat.
But, you can damage the bacteria in your gut from a lack of diversity. You also risk nutritional deficiencies and metabolic problems. Some of these problems can be avoided with supplements and multivitamins if you cannot or do not want to add variety.
While it’s best to have a varied diet, eating the same thing daily most likely won’t do you any harm. “If your daily lunch contains a variety of healthful foods,” said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition and food studies at New York Univ., “relax and enjoy it.”
If you see signs of malnutrition or ill health, speak to your doctor. If you’re concerned about a lack of nutrition, bring it up at your next checkup. A varied diet is a great way to prevent illness and make sure you stay healthy. However, if you aren’t seeing problems, you shouldn’t be overly concerned.
Variety is always great. Try swapping things once in a while. You learn more about your tastes and get a lot of nutrients into your diet, and your gut will help you! If you eat the same thing every day, just be sure it’s healthy. A daily diet of processed foods and carbs will harm you over time. As long as you have a good mix of fiber, protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, you should be fine!
