What Is One Meal A Day For Weight Loss?

One meal a day for weight loss is an extreme form of intermittent fasting. Are there benefits of following this eating plan? What to expect when you eat only one meal a day?

Let’s find out here.

What is One Meal a Day for Weight Loss?

Many people are experimenting with eating one meal a day. Some celebrities swore by it.

Although there are no studies that can verify the benefits of this eating plan, some are saying that it can increase longevity and weight loss.

But what is it exactly? As mentioned, it’s an extreme form of intermittent fasting. If you have tried the 16:8 method, then it’ll be easier for you to follow OMAD.

However, before you jump into this method, you must remember that it takes IF to another level. In that case, it decreases your eating window to one hour.

It means that you have 23 hours of fasting.

This is difficult if you haven’t tried intermittent fasting yet. That’s why before you eat only one meal a day, make sure to try shorter fasts first.

When is the Best Time to Eat?

It’s common to break the fast and eat in the evenings. There’s no scientific explanation or valid reason followers of this plan choose this time window.

However, you can always choose to eat at other times. For instance, you can break your fast between noon and 2 pm.

In other words, you must choose the time that you felt is right.

When eating one meal a day, you need to consume your recommended calories per day in one hour.

Thus, if you need to eat 1,500 calories a day, you have to consume the said amount in 60 minutes.

It can be difficult for some to eat 1,500 calories in one hour. That’s why it takes practice and adjusting to get used to this eating pattern.

If you tend to suffer from an afternoon slump after eating, breaking your fast at noon may not be the best time for you.

It’s one reason many followers choose to break their fast in the evenings so they can rest. They also don’t have to deal with a grumbling stomach at night.

When you eat in the evening, you can have more energy throughout the day and prevent yourself from getting an afternoon crash.

Can You Drink During Fasting?

Since you’re fasting for weight loss and it’s not for medical reasons, you can drink low-calorie beverages. However, if you want to be strict with this eating plan, though, you should not drink anything, except water.

Drinking black coffee is okay. Tea is also okay.

Just make sure that you don’t add sugar or milk to coffee or tea.

What is important here is to hydrate yourself. For best results, though, just drink more water. You need to adequately hydrate your body.

You can check whether you’re dehydrated or properly hydrated by looking at the color of your urine.

If it’s dark yellow, then you need more water. If it’s light yellow, then you’re adequately hydrated.

However, if you suffer from GERD, you should not drink black coffee or tea on an empty stomach. It will only trigger the symptoms.

Hence, you should go by the book and just drink water and nothing else.

Why Choose to Eat One Meal a Day?

One of the reasons people opt for this eating plan is the promise to help them lose weight. Now, the question is if this plan can really help you shed some pounds?

In my experience, you can’t lose weight if you eat more than the recommended daily calories.

Keep in mind that it’s easy to overeat when on OMAD. The reason for this is that you tend to overcompensate.

You may think that you’re only eating 1,500 calories but you can go beyond that. If you don’t watch your calorie intake, you won’t lose weight with OMAD.

If you’re following OMAD because you can eat whatever you want, then make sure that you only eat the recommended daily calories based on your current weight and height.

Overeating will lead to weight loss, even with OMAD.

Saving Money

Weight loss isn’t the only attractive feature of OMAD. Since you’ll only be eating one meal a day, the cost of your meals a day will be cut significantly. You can save roughly 70% on food.

Eating three times a day can be expensive. Since you’ll be eating once a day, you’ll buy fewer ingredients. You can also avoid eating out.

It’s one reason many people are choosing this eating plan.

Saving Time

You don’t only save money with OMAD. Another excellent benefit is that you’re saving time. Since you’ll be eating one meal a day, you can free up extra hours each day.

Think about the time you spend planning and preparing your meals every day. It will surely blow your mind.

Instead of thinking about what to cook for dinner or breakfast, you can do other things that will make you more productive.

Challenge Your Willpower

Fighting the urge to eat takes a lot of willpower. But if you can surpass that, it will surely improve your life and self-discipline.

Practice makes perfect. And if you can manage to eat one meal a day for days, weeks, or months, then you can expect mental toughness.

Is It a Good Idea to Eat One Meal a Day?

Some experts don’t recommend it. Others can suggest it but for a shorter period. It really depends on your willpower.

Keep in mind that many people in the world are only eating one meal a day and they’re doing fine.

However, every person is different. you might not be able to endure the challenge. It’s also important to note that OMAD isn’t for everyone. If you have a chronic condition. This eating plan may not be ideal for you.

Talk to your doctor first before you embark on this journey. Avoid it if you have diabetes, kidney disease, and other life-threatening conditions.