Eating the same meals every day may help you lose weight faster, a new study suggests.
The research showed that adults who followed a consistent diet – repeating meals and maintaining the same calorie level each day – lost more weight within 12 weeks compared to those who had a more varied diet.
The study involved 112 overweight or obese people who were part of a weight loss program. They recorded every food they consumed through an app and weighed themselves daily.
The researchers analyzed how "routine" their diets were, looking at how much calories varied from day to day and how often the same meals were repeated. The results showed that those who often ate the same foods lost an average of 5.9% of their body weight, while those with a more varied diet only lost 4.3%.
Also, calorie consistency played an important role: for every 100-calorie increase in daily fluctuations, weight loss decreased by about 0.6%.
The study's lead author, Charlotte Hagerman from the Oregon Research Institute, emphasized that creating eating routines can make it easier to follow a healthy diet, reducing the need for constant decisions and self-control.
The study, published in Health Psychology, emphasizes that it's an association and not necessarily a direct cause. Factors like motivation and personal discipline also influence the results.
However, that doesn't mean variety doesn't matter. Previous studies show that a diet rich in a variety of healthy foods – like fruits and vegetables – is beneficial for health.
But in an environment where food choices are numerous and often unhealthy, simplifying your diet can help create lasting habits.
Experts suggest that repeating some favorite meals and keeping calories at stable levels can be a practical strategy for weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. /GazetaExpress/
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