Virat Kohli, a fitness icon both on and off the cricket field, recently made headlines with his statement about eating the same food every day for six months without issue. But while his commitment to a consistent routine is admirable, is this approach to diet actually healthy?
Kohli, who retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, after a stellar 14-year career, has long been open about his dedication to fitness. A vegetarian who focuses on whole, unprocessed foods and plant-based proteins, Kohli credits his disciplined diet for helping him maintain peak physical condition. In an interview with Star Sports in October 2024, Kohli admitted that food was one of his biggest fitness challenges. Despite the temptation to indulge in different flavors, he emphasized that he could easily eat the same meals three times a day for six months, underscoring his ability to stay disciplined when it comes to food choices.
Is It Healthy to Eat the Same Food Every Day?
While Kohli’s regimen works for his elite athlete lifestyle, it’s worth considering whether eating the same food daily is a sustainable and healthy choice for the average person. Experts weigh in on both the potential benefits and risks of this approach.
Online fitness coach Dan Go, in an Instagram post on April 20, 2025, argued that consistency in eating, along with other routine habits like exercise and sleep, helps regulate appetite and metabolism. He even suggests that eating the same meals every day can aid in weight loss, as it reduces the tendency to make poor food choices. “The same things that make you look good (exercise, sleep, nutrition) are the same things that make you feel good,” Go said, advising a simple, consistent lifestyle.
The Benefits of Routine
A consistent diet, like the one Kohli follows, can help streamline meal planning and reduce stress about food choices. By sticking to familiar meals, individuals can avoid the overwhelm of constantly deciding what to eat. Furthermore, regularity can help identify food sensitivities or allergies by limiting the variety of foods consumed, allowing the digestive system to focus on processing fewer types of meals.
However, experts caution against the risks of restrictive eating habits. Dt. Komal Malik, head dietician at Asian Hospital, warns that while eating the same food every day can promote short-term weight loss—thanks to its calorie-restricted nature—it may also lead to nutrient deficiencies. “A lack of variety in the diet can weaken the immune system, lower energy levels, and harm overall health,” she explained.
Malik adds that the so-called “mono diet,” which focuses on just one type of food or a limited selection, can have adverse effects over time. While it simplifies meal planning, it fails to provide the range of vitamins and minerals necessary for long-term well-being. For example, diets focusing solely on fruits or grains may miss out on essential nutrients like protein or healthy fats, leading to imbalances that can affect overall health.
Conclusion:
Virat Kohli’s approach of eating similar meals for long periods may work for him as a professional athlete whose body demands strict regulation and consistency. However, for most people, a balanced and varied diet is critical to ensuring that the body receives all the necessary nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While a consistent routine can offer benefits in terms of weight management and stress reduction, it’s important to ensure that meals are nutrient-rich and provide a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
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