I get it. There’s something that’s just really easy and thoughtless about eating the same foods and meals often. And sometimes, it’s totally fine to do. But other times, it might be masking fears or unhealthy thoughts around food. When is it okay to same thing every day, and when is it not?
“Is it okay to eat the same foods every day?” It’s hard to answer this question with a simple yes or no. For starters, are we talking about the same exact meals day after day, one repeated meal, or just similar ingredients used in different ways?
And even more importantly, what it really boils down to is: what’s your reasoning for eating the same foods often?
I’ll be honest – I eat the same thing for breakfast most days. It’s easy and I like it. I don’t have to think much about it. Is that okay to do?! I’ll go back to this example as dive in. Let’s do it!
When It’s Okay to Eat the Same Foods on Repeat:
1. It’s out of convenience
Maybe you make the same lunch every day because it’s easy to make and it’s one less thing to think about during your work day. Or, maybe your breakfast is so thoughtless to grab and go that it helps make your mornings easier (yep, this is me). If you’re eating the same things because they help make your life easier or are convenient, that’s a perfectly fine reason to eat them.
For example, my breakfast: it takes all of 2.5 seconds for me to throw together, fills me up and it makes my mornings easier to not have to think about what to make for breakfast. Plus, I really enjoy it.
If coming up with different meal ideas every day doesn’t sound enjoyable to you – and if eating the same meals helps take some of the stress out of eating – then that’s a great reason to eat the same meals on repeat.
2. You really like it
Another time it’s okay to eat something frequently: when you really like it. Maybe you discovered a new, simple dinner that you really enjoy and you can’t get enough of it. In this case, go for it! Eat it as often as you like.
The best foods to eat are the foods that satisfy you in the moment. So, if you really like something, by all means, keep eating it.
Chances are too that, eventually, you’ll get tired of that meal and want something new. Our bodies are pretty smart like that 🙂 And you definitely don’t need to make yourself not eating something that you like and want.
3. You gave yourself permission and are satisfying a craving
If you’ve read some of my blog posts about allowing all foods and creating a healthier relationship with food (if not, start here!), you know that one of the first and most important steps is honoring cravings by eating the foods you’re craving.
Sometimes, when you’ve ignored a craving for a while, it can take a little longer to satisfy. That craving can become so strong that your body needs a bit more of that food to satisfy it. Plus, it takes a little extra time for your body to trust that this food will really be allowed any time.
In this case, you might be eating the same foods over and over in order to satisfy that craving. There is nothingwrong with that. This is the first step in body trust and listening to your body. And soon enough, once your body trusts that all foods are allowed and knows that you’ll eat the foods you crave when you want them, you’ll start to crave other foods too.
When It’s Not Okay to Eat the Same Foods on Repeat:
1. It’s out of comfort or because other foods sound scary
If you’ve gotten comfortable with certain meals and the idea of branching out seems a little intimidating, that’s when I might encourage you to try something new. It’s totally fine to be comfortable with what you eat, but it’s also really important to explore new foods and not make eating feel robotic, ya know?
Sometimes, certain foods become so familiar that the unknown can seem scary. Maybe you know how to perfectly track your breakfast into your calorie counter. Or, the idea of eating a recipe or mixed meal where you don’t know exactly what’s in it seems scary.
In this case, firstly, please know that you’re not alone. It’s really common for branching out with meals to feel scary when you’re used to eating what’s considered “safe.” But, if this is the case, it’s also probably a sign that you’d really benefit from trying something new.
Start small. If you usually have the same yogurt and fruit for breakfast every morning, start by trying a different flavor or brand of yogurt and/or a different type of fruit. Slowly, mix it up a little. Have cottage cheese instead of yogurt. After that, try more of a mixed meal – like eggs cooked with cheese and oil. Over time, it will get less and less scary, I promise.
2. You’re eating out of convenience… but don’t even like what you’re eating
Let’s go back to the first example of when it’s okay to eat the same foods over and over: convenience. Again, there’s nothing wrong with eating out of convenience. But, if eating the same meal over and over has become so robotic that you don’t even enjoy it anymore, then it’s a good time to switch it up a little.
Convenience foods and meals are amazing. What we eat should be easy and thoughtless and I definitely don’t want to take the convenience part away from you. But, when meals become so habitual that you don’t even enjoy what you’re eating anymore, switch it up!
After all, food should be enjoyed, too.
3. You’re not getting variety elsewhere
Lastly, make sure your diet is providing you with a variety of nutrients and food groups. If you eat the same breakfast daily, but switch up your lunch and dinner, there’s likely nothing wrong with that. But, if you’re eating the same meals day after day, it might be a good idea to switch things up a bit so that you get different nutrients that your body needs.
For example, even though I eat the same breakfast daily and even repeat lunches and dinner a few days in a row, I try to mix up my snacks, lunches and dinners every few days. I experiment with different foods in food group. That way, even though breakfast is the same, I know I’m stil getting a range of food groups and nutrients throughout the day.
Each day, try to eat different sources of protein, fat and carbs. Aim to include a variety of fruit, vegetables, protein and grains. Different foods provide different nutrients. It’s totally fine if you eat the same lunch for a few days in a row, but if so, aim to switch it up at dinnertime or once those few days are up to ensure a range of nutrients.
At the end of the day, it’s too nuanced to try to answer if “eating the same foods every day is okay” in a simple yes or no answer. It really boils down to why and what else you’re eating.
Make sure you’re trying new foods. Don’t let unknown foods scare you and try to not only eat what feels comfortable. But also, let yourself eat things that are easy and convenient! Remember, food shouldn’t be stressful. And you should always try to enjoy what you’re eating.
At the end of the day, as long as you’re giving yourself a range of different nutrients day by day and week by day – and if your mindset around food is allowing you to eat new and different things – you’ll be just fine.
Want more tips on creating an easy, sustainable healthy relationship with food? Check out my membership program, All Foods Fit, with 12 thorough lessons to teach easy ways to create a healthy relationship with food. Or, check out my e-book, 7 Days to Make All Foods Fit, to learn a step by step guide to create a healthier relationship with food in just 7 days.
