A recent trend on YouTube has been making waves, with people claiming to lose weight by eating just one type of food daily. One example features an individual who ate only chicken for five days, weighing themselves each morning and ultimately losing about 3.8 kg (about 8.4 lbs) over the five days.
This is the latest twist on the mono diet, where participants eat only one type of food, even those typically considered unhealthy, like fried chicken, burgers, and pork belly, believing that sticking to a single food item per day can help with weight loss. The premise is simple: eat just one meal a day consisting of one particular food, and you could shed pounds.
While eating one type of food sounds simple and appealing, experts quickly warn that this approach is not sustainable and could be harmful in the long run. Nutritionists highlight that a diet that lacks the variety necessary to maintain proper health can lead to significant nutritional imbalances.
Variations of the mono diet have also gained popularity, but these often involve eating the same food for three meals a day. Some dieters eat apples, which are high in fiber and promote feelings of fullness, or eggs, which provide a good source of protein.
The latest version, however, allows for eating just one meal a day, even if that meal consists of high-calorie foods like chicken or pasta or convenience foods such as burgers, sandwiches, and even fast foods. The belief is that following the one-meal-a-day rule can help you lose weight, even with calorie-dense foods.
One YouTube video, “I ate a burger once a day for five days and lost 6.6 kg (approximately 14.6 pounds),” has generated over 2 million views. While many viewers remain skeptical, some people have claimed they experienced weight loss after trying it themselves. Others are curious, asking questions like, “Can I just eat one chicken meal a day and lose weight?”
Despite the viral success of these mono diets, many critics argue that the approach is unlikely to yield long-term results. While it may result in short-term weight loss, any pounds lost are likely to return once the diet is stopped. Furthermore, since everyone’s body and health needs are different, adopting such a restrictive eating pattern without medical guidance can be risky.
In particular, individuals with diabetes or other metabolic disorders may face severe consequences from trying this diet. For example, increasing the portion size of one meal could cause a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. Additionally, prolonged periods of fasting can lead to dangerously low blood sugar, which could be life-threatening.
Professor Kim Kyung Gon from Gachon University Gil Medical Center cautions, “You might see initial weight loss, but maintaining a diet with just one type of food for a long time is very difficult. Over time, it can lead to poor nutrition.”
Professor Seo Young Seong from Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital echoes this concern, advising, “Weight control needs to be managed throughout life. It’s essential to adopt sustainable methods that support overall health and long-term well-being.”