“The mono diet might not be as practical or lasting as it seems, even though it might seem like a quick solution to your weight loss problems.
Weight management is one of the things that hasn’t altered despite the times. Almost every generation has experienced difficulties controlling their weight. The problems are still there, even though the intensity may have changed. People are willing to try anything that claims to provide them with what they want when they are struggling. It is the ideal body weight in this instance.
Celebrities vouch for the mono diet, also known as the monotrophic diet, which is a diet fad right now. Who? To begin with, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, and Victoria Beckham.
Eating just one kind of food at a time, or even every day, is the basic notion. No confusion, no calorie tracking, no difficult meal planning. However, we have the same issue as many of you: is it even feasible?
If your question resonates, then let’s find out.
Understanding the mono diet
The main objective of the monotrophic diet, sometimes known as the “mono diet,” is weight loss through prolonged use of a single food item.
“A diet plan that involves consuming only one food item per meal or per day is known as the mono diet,” says Dr. Karthigai Selvi A, head of clinical nutrition and dietetics at Gleneagles BGS Hospital in Kengeri, Bengaluru. Because of its ease of use and the possibility of temporary weight loss, it has some initial appeal. Some common foods used in monotrophic diets include various fruits, eggs, potatoes, grapefruit, cabbage, milk, bananas, brown rice, chicken breast, and even nuts. In a nutshell, any food or food group can become the focus of a monotropic diet.”
For a few days or weeks, for instance, a person may only eat apples or melons for every meal.
You would agree that dieting to lose weight is really difficult, which is why this diet seems to be gaining popularity. By removing the need for computations, the mono diet promises to make it easier to choose the proper foods for weight loss. No meal logging, calorie counting, carbohydrate counting, or fat tracking is necessary. “The diet eliminates uncertainty regarding meal preparation, making it simple to adhere to,” she continues.
The pitfalls of the mono diet
When you need to lose weight quickly, a mono diet is usually the best option, but doctors caution that the hazards greatly exceed the rewards. It is just not a realistic method of managing weight, says Dr. Archana Batra, a nutritionist in Gurgaon.
- Nutrient deficiencies – All of the macro and micronutrients that the body need are not found in a single food. One-food diets can result in vitamin and mineral shortages, which can cause weakness, exhaustion, and long-term health issues.
According to Dr. Selvi, the mono diet has become more well-liked, particularly since social media has made pseudoscience more widely accepted. “A lot of individuals advocate for this diet, taking advantage of people’s propensity to look for shortcuts.
- Muscle loss and slower metabolism – Dependence on one food group frequently results in the loss of complex carbs, healthy fats, and necessary proteins. Loss of muscle can result from this, slowing metabolism and making it more difficult to control weight in the future.
Lean muscle burns more calories than other body mass when on a monotrophic diet. According to experts, losing lean muscle mass can lower your metabolic rate and cause you to acquire weight later.
- Risk of nutrient toxicity – Too much of any one food can be harmful, says Dr Batra. Some examples include:
Tender coconut water – Excessive potassium can cause irregular heartbeat.
Chicken breast-only diet – Lack of fiber and Vitamin C, and too much protein may stress the kidneys.
Banana-only diet – High carbohydrate intake can impact blood sugar levels and pancreatic function.
- Mental health consequences – You are deceiving yourself if you believe that this can be sustained over time, as a prolonged monotrophic diet can result in eating disorders. Eating limitations of this type encourage disordered eating practices, such as food moralizing—the categorization of foods as “good” or “bad.”
When you feel deprived, it can result in a cycle of binge eating, guilt, and anxiety.
- The rebound weight gain – Even if a single dish is your favourite, you will soon grow weary of it if you only eat it. You can overeat as a result of this flavour exhaustion, or you might quit eating entirely. You might so gain more weight than you did previously, or you might regain any weight you lost in the first place, according to Dr. Selvi.
Is the mono diet practical?
While it may seem like an easy way to lose weight, experts agree that the mono diet is far from sustainable. According to Dr Batra, a healthier, more realistic approach involves:
- A balanced and varied diet rich in all essential nutrients.
- Regular physical activity to support metabolism and muscle health.
- Mindful eating habits that promote long-term weight management rather than quick fixes.