New research with obese patients suggests that eating the same things over and over reduces the mental effort of choosing healthy options and reduces temptation, which could help you lose more weight.
A new one from Drexel University suggests that eating the same dishes for every meal every day can improve weight loss results.
The research, published in the journal Health Psychology, analyzed food records of 112 overweight adults or obese people enrolled in a structured behavioral weight loss program.
Over a 12-week period, participants who maintained consistent eating patterns by repeating the same meals and snacks lost more weight than those who frequently varied their diets.
On average, individuals who followed a more routine diet lost 5.9% of their body weightcompared to 4.3% among those with more diverse eating habits. Although the difference may seem modest, the researchers note that it could become more significant over time if it persists.
Lead author Charlotte Hagerman explains that consistency can reduce mental effort necessary to maintain a healthy diet. “Creating routines around eating can reduce this burden and make healthy choices feel more automatic,” she explains.
The study also found that fluctuations in daily calorie intake were linked to less effective weight loss. For every 100-calorie change in a participant’s daily diet, weight loss decreased by approximately 0.6% over the 12-week period.
As , this suggests that not only what people eat, but also the consistency of their diet, plays a role in weight management.
However, the researchers warn of the need for caution when interpreting the results. The study did not evaluate the nutritional quality of the diets of participants, which means that some individuals may have lost weight despite consuming less healthy foods.
All participants were part of a guided program, working with trainers to set calorie goals and weight loss goals, which may also have influenced the results.
Experts emphasize that the food variety continues to be important for general health, as it guarantees a wider intake of essential nutrients. Still, the findings highlight a possible tradeoff: While variety contributes to nutrition, routine can promote adherence and consistency.
