Some Reddit Users Are Eating the Same Thing Every Day

Redditors who follow specific diets, like the keto diet, and other social media users are claiming they consume the same foods every day. However, experts say this restricted eating pattern can negatively impact overall health.

Health experts have said for years that consuming a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is critical for health and wellbeing. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a diet that emphasizes a wide range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean meats, and eggs is the best way to lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions.

However, incorporating a wide range of foods into their schedule can be challenging for some people, mainly because it requires careful planning and prepping to ensure that breakfast, lunch, and dinner differ daily.

For others, especially those following the ketogenic (keto) diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, the low-carb restrictions can create obstacles to eating a diverse range of foods.

For example, some social media users on the keto diet claim their food choices are far from diverse. In a recent post, one Reddit user and keto diet enthusiast claimed their meals have been identical for nearly a year.

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Autistic individuals can also have restricted eating patterns. According to a 2021 review of research, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are 70% more likely to limit their food choices than non-autistic peers or children with other disorders. While the reasons for this are unclear, sensory challenges, autistic thinking styles, and the need for predictability may all play a role.

Autistic individuals have even spoken out about this tendency towards restricted eating on social media.

Do you guys eat the same thing everyday?
byu/SnooCauliflowers596 inautism

In addition, some Reddit users with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) claim they have experienced a similar desire to stick to one food type every day.

Does anyone else eat the same thing everyday?
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Yet, some foods, particularly those with high sodium levels, like bacon, may not be ideal for overall health, especially if eaten every single day. Moreover, repeatedly consuming the same low-carb/high-fat foods, such as those associated with the keto diet, could put a person's heart health at risk.

The health impacts of eating the same food every day

Michelle Routhenstein, M.S. R.D., a Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com, tells Healthnews that specific aspects of a non-varied diet can potentially harm health.

"A restricted diet may result in deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals that aren't provided by just one or two food types," Routhenstein explains. "For instance, a diet limited to meats and cheeses on keto might lack crucial nutrients like fiber, vitamins C, folate, and K, as well as various phytonutrients, which can negatively impact cardiometabolic health."

Dr. Chris Mohr, Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at Fortune Recommends points out that if a person doesn't consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, they might not get enough fiber or essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can affect everything from the immune system to skin health.

Mohr tells Healthnews that a varied diet can ensure an individual gets the nutrients needed to help protect against chronic diseases.

"That said, depending on your goals, there are data suggesting the more variety, the more likely a person is to overeat calories — think, buffet — where there are more options and therefore a higher likelihood of overconsuming," Mohr adds.

Are there any benefits to restricted eating patterns?

According to Routhenstein, consuming the same foods can simplify meal planning and make tracking calorie intake and nutritional information more manageable, which may help with weight loss. However, it's more of a diet strategy than a sustainable lifestyle plan for optimal cardiometabolic health.

"Dietary variety is important for maintaining a diverse and thriving gut microbiome, as different gut bacteria benefit from a range of nutrients and fibers," Routhenstein adds.

Mohr said that restrictive diets like the keto diet can be beneficial for certain individuals. For example, it has been helpful in managing epilepsy when overseen by a healthcare provider.

"However, long-term data doesn't support the sustainability or safety of such an eating plan," Mohr said. "It's always good to seek the expertise of your own health care provider over any extreme diets to make sure you're meeting all your nutritional needs and not putting yourself at risk."

How to diversify your daily diet

Though challenging, the consensus is that adding a variety of foods to the daily diet is more beneficial to a person's health than a limited menu.

According to Routhenstein, a person can begin to diversify their meals by changing one thing at a time.

"Swap chicken for fish to benefit from omega-3 fatty acids and selenium. Replace cheese with avocado to add healthy fats, fiber, and potassium," Routhenstein said. "This gradual approach allows you to explore new flavors and nutrients without overwhelming your routine."

Mohr suggests introducing a new fruit or vegetable each week. Exploring different foods in this manner can slowly bring new flavors and nutrients into daily meals.

What are some different keto diet food options?

Since the keto diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, some people may have difficulty diversifying their menu plan due to a lack of choices. However, Mohr says there are options.

"For those on stricter diets like keto, try switching up your protein sources and including different low-carb vegetables," Mohr says. "Using a mix of herbs and spices is a way to make meals more interesting and flavorful as well."

According to Mohr, protein sources can come from chicken, beef, pork, fish, and eggs, and healthy fats might include avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

"For vegetables, focus on low-carb options like spinach, kale, and zucchini, which can be prepared in various ways to keep your meals interesting, and for fruits, consider a variety of berries, which are high in fiber, yet low in carbohydrates," Mohr explains.

When to see a doctor

While being a picky or restrictive eater is common, especially among individuals with ASD, sometimes eating only the same foods can be a symptom of an eating disorder, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) or other health conditions.

Signs to watch out for that may indicate it's time to visit a healthcare provider about food-related issues include:

• Food selections become more limited over time
• Episodes of severe food restriction followed by excessive food intake
• A preoccupation with food, calories, or dieting
• The need to perform food rituals, including eating food in a specific order

In addition, any physical symptoms related to food restriction, such as dramatic weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and skin or oral health problems, should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.