If You Want to Lose Weight, Try a Boring Diet
SELF Magazine • • health
Key Points:
- A recent study published in Health Psychology found that sticking to a low-variety diet with consistent calorie intake during the first 12 weeks of a weight loss program led to greater weight loss (5.9%) compared to diets with more variety (4.3%).
- The research suggests that dietary consistency reduces decision fatigue, improves calorie tracking, and helps form sustainable habits, making healthy eating more automatic and easier to maintain.
- Experts recommend a structured rotation of nutritionally balanced meals rather than eating the exact same meal daily, emphasizing the importance of meals that fit individual preferences, budgets, and lifestyles.
- While this approach may be effective during the active weight loss phase, flexibility and variety should be gradually reintroduced over time to support long-term adherence and enjoyment.
- The study highlights that the link between low dietary variety and weight loss may reflect greater motivation or self-discipline, and acknowledges that this strategy may not work for everyone.
