Why Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s Monotropic Diet Isn’t Sustainable and May Harm Health

Many celebrities have openly advocated eating one type of food daily – without getting bored. Actor Anushka Sharma and her husband Virat Kohli, footballer Sunil Chhetri, are a few names who have been vocal

about the monotropic diet, which is an eating pattern that focuses on simplifying food combinations so that your digestion becomes faster and easier. Proponents of this diet feel that by eating a similar type of food for a long time, their digestive system does not get overburdened with complex combinations, which can cause bloating and constipation. But is it good for your health?

What is a monotropic diet?

The monotrophic diet, also known as the mono diet, is an eating pattern that involves eating just one food item or food group for several days or weeks at a time. It is said to be a favourite among those who want to boost their weight loss process without the other rules and restrictions of other eating plans. Several variations of the mono diet have also risen in popularity, including the milk diet, carnivore diet, fruitarian diet, and egg diet. According to experts, this diet has several types and many ways to follow the plan. One of the most common variations involves eating a single food item for every meal, like potatoes, apples, chicken, or eggs. Others stick to ingredients within a specific food group, such as fruits or vegetables. You can also switch between “mono meals” - where you can consume a different food item every time you eat. Although there are no specific guidelines regarding how long you should follow the diet, most use it to ramp up weight loss by following it for just a week or a maximum of two at a time. Subsequently, you can also add other foods like soups, salads, and smoothies, before transitioning into a healthy and balanced diet.

Does a monotropic diet help in weight loss?

Experts believe that for a lot of people, eating similar foods daily can lead to lower intake and subsequent weight loss. However, it also depends on what you are eating and its quantity as well. Conversely, if you consume huge amounts of high-calorie foods like fried potatoes or even chocolate, you may gain weight on this diet.

Why is a monotropic diet not recommended?

While it does help in the short term, following the mono diet can be associated with several potential downsides and side effects.

Nutritional deficiencies

According to diet experts, a monotropic diet, which involves eating just one food item for days and weeks, can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the long run. Any food you decide to eat is not packed with all the major nutrients and will be lacking in a few vitamins or minerals, which will make it difficult for you to get into your system with this diet. Prolonged lack of both macro and micronutrients can lead to issues like impaired immune function, anemia, digestive conditions, bone loss, and even chronic diseases due to lowered immunity.

Creates unhealthy eating habits

Following a monotropic diet can lead to unhealthy and unsustainable eating habits, which may be difficult to get over in the long run. According to experts, cutting off food groups from your diet, which includes healthy and nutritional ingredients, is bad for your health.

Unsustainable

The mono diet is super restrictive and hence is unsustainable in the long run, as it does not let you eat enough calories and meet your micronutrient needs – leaving you fatigued and tired throughout the day.