TikTok rumors that Jennifer Aniston ate the identical salad every single day on the set of Associates for 10 years—however is it dangerous to eat the identical factor every single day? An RD breaks down every little thing it is advisable to know.
You’re lastly residence after a protracted, exhausting day and making an attempt to determine what to eat. However earlier than you possibly can even decide, the tiredness washes over you and also you revert again to precisely what you had yesterday (and the day earlier than that and the day earlier than that). You’re not alone: It’s extremely straightforward to maintain one specific meal on repeat.
The truth is, celebrities supposedly swear by this technique. In keeping with TikTok, Jennifer Aniston ate the identical salad every single day on the set of Associates for 10 years (although Aniston herself says the salad she ate is completely different than the viral TikTok recipe). She isn’t the one meal repeater: Celebrities are recognized for his or her can’t-live-without-them signature smoothies (see: Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Smoothie), and Mariah Carey has claimed she eats solely Norwegian salmon and capers. However is it okay to eat the identical factor every single day? We requested an RD to weigh in.
Is It Unhealthy to Eat the Similar Factor On a regular basis?
Briefly, no. Consuming the identical factor every single day isn’t dangerous for you, nevertheless it is probably not probably the most healthful possibility both. There are some cons to it, equivalent to diet gaps and burnout, says Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, instructional specialist at HUM Diet.
“For probably the most half, there are extra cons to consuming the identical factor every single day than there are execs,” Vaca-Flores says. So whereas it’s not the worst factor you are able to do diet-wise, it’s not the most effective factor you are able to do both (sorry to all of the creatures of behavior on the market).
What Does Consuming the Similar Factor Each Day Do To Your Physique?
“Whenever you eat the identical factor again and again, you run the chance of operating low on sure vitamins that is probably not current in your every day menu,” Vaca-Flores says. Take for example the famed Jennifer Aniston salad: It does have a formidable vary of carbs, protein, and wholesome fat from bulgur wheat, veggies, contemporary herbs, chickpeas, pistachio, feta, turkey bacon, and EVOO.
Nonetheless, not all go-to meals supply this type of diet. (Plus, even Jennifer Anison can be missing in sure vitamins if she really ate this salad each single day.)
By sticking to the very same menu each single day, you’re lacking out on the number of advantages that completely different meals have to supply. “Consuming an array of meals, significantly complete meals, may also help guarantee you’re getting a wide range of vitamins and different helpful compounds like fiber, prebiotics, and antioxidants,” Vaca-Flores says. “The truth is, range in your eating regimen may also help promote range in your intestine microbiome.” (It’s true—research present {that a} various eating regimen creates a extra various intestine microbiome, which may make it extra adaptable to adjustments.
One other downside? A repetitive consuming sample can get boring, particularly if it’s a restrictive eating regimen. “For instance, folks following a strict meal plan that consists of the identical factor every day could cause burnout and consequently trigger you to revert again to outdated consuming habits,” Vaca-Flores says.
Why It’s Not All Unhealthy to Eat the Similar Factor On a regular basis
Regardless of some drawbacks talked about above, there are nonetheless advantages to having dependable meal standbys. “The largest one, for my part, is that it takes away the stress of getting to determine your meals every single day,” Vaca-Flores says. “Additionally, you’ve most likely mastered your meal prep routine which may minimize down cooking time.”
It’s additionally a helpful technique in case your objective is weight reduction. “Consuming the identical factor every single day may also assist offer you management over what number of energy and macronutrients you eat which is perhaps useful for somebody who’s trying to handle their weight,” Vaca-Flores provides.
How one can Keep away from Consuming the Similar Factor Each Day
Caught in a rut and wish to increase your intestine well being and stop nutrient deficiencies? Listed below are 3 ways you possibly can keep away from consuming the identical factor every single day.
Take away the stress of creating a game-time weeknight dinner resolution by planning your meals upfront. By understanding forward of time, it gained’t really feel like an excessive amount of work or stress to execute. “It will possibly assist to ‘menu plan’ a few of your favourite meals and cycle them all through the week to make sure that you’re getting selection whereas additionally sustaining the perks of getting a routine consuming sample,” Vaca-Flores.
Meal Prep
“As a dietitian who hates cooking, I meal prep a couple of times per week a number of completely different dinner choices with three to 4 completely different protein, carb, and fats staples in order that I can simply make a wide range of meal mixtures,” Vaca-Flores says.
One other professional tip from Vaca-Flores? Cook dinner your proteins with completely different sauces and seasonings so as to add taste and selection. “For instance, on one baking sheet, I may need one salmon filet marinated in teriyaki, one other filet seasoned with garlic and salt, and one other with rosemary and lemon pepper,” she says. “It’s also possible to problem your self so as to add one or two new (or seasonal) meals to your grocery haul every week to assist maintain issues thrilling at supper time.”
Hold Your Every day Weight loss plan Easy
It could be tempting to consistently swap up your meals and check out new issues. However should you’re liable to consuming the identical factor every single day, Vaca-Flores says it may be useful to maintain your every day eating regimen so simple as potential. “No must get granular about precisely what number of various kinds of meals it’s best to eat every single day,” she says. As a substitute, simply strive biking by means of your favourite meals all through the week.