TikTok rumors that Jennifer Aniston ate the same salad every day for 10 years on the set of Friends – but is it bad to eat the same thing every day? An RD lists everything you need to know.
You're finally home after a long, tiring day and trying to decide what to eat. But before you can even make a decision, fatigue washes over you and you're back to exactly what you had yesterday (and the day before that, and the day before that). You're not alone: It's incredibly easy to repeat a particular meal.
Celebrities even swear by this strategy. According to TikTok, Jennifer Aniston ate the same salad every day on setFriendsfor 10 years (even though Aniston himself saysthe salad she atediffers from the viral TikTok recipe). She's not the only meal repeater: Celebrities are known for their signature smoothies that they can't live without (see: Hailey Bieber's Strawberry GlazeSmoothie), en Mariah CareyHas claimedshe only eats Norwegian salmon and capers. But is it okay to eat the same thing every day? We asked an RD to weigh in.
Is it bad to eat the same thing every day?
In short, no. Eating the same thing every day isn't bad for you, but it may not be the healthiest option either. There are some disadvantages associated with it such as nutritional deficiencies andburn-out, participationGaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, Education Specialist at HUM Nutrition.
“For the most part, there are more cons to eating the same thing every day than there are pros,” says Vaca-Flores. So while it's not the worst thing you can do in terms of nutrition, it's also not the best thing you can do (sorry for all you creatures of habit among you).
What does eating the same thing every day do to your body?
“If you eat the same thing over and over again, you run the risk of depleting certain nutrients that may not be present in your daily menu,” says Vaca-Flores. Take for example Jennifer Aniston's famous salad: it has an impressive range of carbohydrates,egg white, Inhealthy fatsof bulgur wheat, vegetables, fresh herbs, chickpeas, pistachios, feta, turkey bacon and EVOO.
Still, not all go-to meals offer this type of nutrition. (Plus, even Jennifer Anison would be missing out on certain nutrients if she actually ate this salad every day.)
By eating the exact same menu every day, you miss out on the many different benefits that different foods have to offer. “Eating a wide variety of foods, especially whole foods, can ensure that you get a variety of nutrients and other beneficial compounds, such asfiber, prebiotics and antioxidants," says Vaca-Flores. "In fact, diversity in your diet can help promote diversity in your gut microbiome." (It's true -investigationsshow that a varied diet creates a more diverse gut microbiome, making it more adaptable to changes.
Another disadvantage? A repetitive diet can become boring, especially if it is a restrictive diet. “For example, people who follow a strict meal plan that consists of the same thing every day can cause burnout, causing you to fall back on old eating habits,” says Vaca-Flores.
Why eating the same thing every day isn't all bad
Despite some of the disadvantages mentioned above, there are still benefits to having reliable meal reservations. “The biggest one, in my opinion, is that it takes away the stress of having to figure out your meals every day,” says Vaca-Flores. "You've also probably mastered your meal prep routine, which can cut down on cooking time."
It's also a useful strategy if that's what your goal isweight loss. “Eating the same thing every day can also help you gain control over how many calories and macronutrients you eat, which can be helpful for someone who wants to manage their weight,” adds Vaca-Flores.
How to avoid eating the same thing every day
Are you stuck in a rut and want to give yours a boost?getarmdand preventionnutrient deficiency? Here are three ways you can avoid eating the same thing every day.
Plan your meals in advance
Take the stress out of making a decision about tonight's dinner by planning your meals in advance. By knowing this in advance, it won't feel like too much work or stress. "It can help to 'plan' some of your menusfavorite dishesand cycle them throughout the week to ensure you get variety while maintaining the benefits of a routine diet,” Vaca-Flores.
Meal preparation
"Like adietitian there hates cooking“I prepare different dinner options once or twice a week with three to four different protein, carbohydrate and fat elements so I can easily create different meal combinations,” says Vaca-Flores.
Another professional tip from Vaca-Flores? Cook your proteins with different sauces and spices to add flavor and variety. “For example, on a griddle I might marinate a salmon fillet in teriyaki, season another fillet with garlic and salt, and another with rosemary and lemon pepper,” she says. “You can also challenge yourself to add one or two new (or seasonal) foods to your grocery basket each week to keep things exciting at mealtime.”
Keep your daily diet simple
It can be tempting to constantly change your meals and try new things. But if you tend to eat the same thing every day, Vaca-Flores says it can be helpful to keep your daily diet as simple as possible. “There's no need to know exactly how many different foods you should eat every day,” she says. Instead, try browsing through your favorite meals throughout the week.
