One Woman Shares How She’s Successfully (and Enjoyably) Done the OMAD Diet for Years | Arena

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There’s a new diet that’s gaining notoriety because it might sound a little extreme. Most of the day is spent fasting, unless you eat just one meal.celebrities like Channing Tatum When Brooke Shields #omad has returned over 450,000 images on Instagram, with searches for ‘OMAD weight loss results’ up 130% over the past year.

For most of us, that leap seems impossible. Yet some have managed to do it, maintain it, and enjoy it. don’t you believe us? parade dot com spoke with a woman who has been following the OMAD diet for two years and has become an advocate for a healthy, flexible lifestyle. Here is her story.

In November 2018, Dio Baluche, 37 years old, 5 days to go from 3 to 1 meal a day. She hasn’t looked back since. At the time, there wasn’t much information about the OMAD diet, so she had to start her own way to make the leap from what many of us consider the “normal” diet to the new normal. Balootje, now called the OMAD Queen, helped others transition to the OMAD diet, offered monthly challenges on Instagram, and managed what seemed like an intimidating lifestyle. I also coach other people so that they can be hired.

One study found that OMAD led to a “significant reduction in fat mass,” but it also had a negative effect on glucose tolerance, with subjects experiencing significant increases in both LDL and HDL cholesterol combined. Faye Townsend of ANutr, a Rhitrition-based registered associate dietitian, points out that intermittent fasting diets such as OMAD are less effective than restricting the overall number of calories in a day when it comes to weight loss. I’m here.

“There are some interesting studies emerging that suggest that intermittent fasting, which is not extreme, may be beneficial in helping you lose weight and reduce your risk of diabetes,” Townsend explains. Studies show that early dietary restriction (9 am to 3 pm mealtime) improves insulin sensitivity, improves pancreatic function and lowers blood pressure in men at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is thought to be related to this feeding pattern: get your circadian rhythm in order.

However, more recent research has shown that intermittent fasting can lead to muscle loss in addition to minimal weight loss.

But for Balootje, the OMAD diet has worked quite well. Although she lives in the Netherlands, her OMAD her lifestyle has connected her with followers all over the world who want a glimpse into what life like eating only once a day. A question that Balootje constantly gets from her followers: “How much weight can I lose in a few weeks?” After years of trying other diets and watching her yo-yo weight, it took Balootje seven months to lose 35 pounds on the OMAD diet. Since then she has been able to keep it.

Besides the weight loss, there were noticeable changes in Balooje’s mind that set OMAD apart from other diets. She says that when she first transitioned to her single meal, she was tired after every meal because her body was working so hard to process everything at once. However, her body has adapted and now her energy has increased significantly. Metabolism is known to increase immediately after a meal.

“I started out wanting to lose weight, but I’ve noticed that I’m much more alert, sharp-minded, and more focused than when I didn’t do OMAD,” she says. “Most people think that not eating makes them feel depressed and unable to focus, but it’s quite the opposite. When your body isn’t processing food all day, you can focus on more important things.”

Intermittent fasting has actually been studied for dementia, with results suggesting it can ameliorate cognitive decline and reduce “pro-inflammatory cytokines” in the brain. have been found to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure, but more research continues.

After following the OMAD diet for almost two years, Balootje is downplaying her routine. She starts her day with black her coffee, which she admits was “horrible at first.” She has her morning coffee with water and tea until about 5:30 pm at dinner each day. She does not supplement with additional vitamins other than those found in a balanced diet (a recent blood test validated that choice).

You might be tempted to think that Balootje is often left out of dinner with friends because she doesn’t eat three meals and two snacks a day, but you would be wrong. . It may sound rigorous, but OMAD actually offers a lot of flexibility, she says.

“When I have social gatherings, I just adjust my meal timeslots,” she says. “I usually eat around 5:30 p.m., but I extend my fast if I have a social gathering, such as eating out with friends or family. [dinner is planned for] 7pm, wait until then and eat at that time… you have to make a plan. If I knew I was going to eat out tomorrow, I would eat a little later today so I wouldn’t have to fast for too long. ”

Of course, flexibility isn’t just about what time of day you eat. It also has to do with what you eat. Balootje jokes that the question she gets asked most often is whether OMAD can actually eat what she likes during her diet. Her answer is yes, but she realizes she doesn’t want to “waste” her one meal of the day on food that doesn’t provide adequate fuel.

“Trying out the OMAD diet may make you want to eat whatever you want during the limited meal times,” admits Townsend. It should be consumed within an hour and should focus on a balanced diet that includes high-quality protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. About replenishment!

For most of us, meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep can seem like a chore—there’s already so much to do in a day. That’s why things like fast food and microwave meals are so appealing. But if he’s only eating one meal a day, Balootje says, his view of mealtime changes quickly. She soon realized that not only could she look forward to what she would choose, but she enjoyed preparing meals more than ever.

“[With OMAD] You learn a lot about food,” she adds. [earlier] I know it’s precisely because I ate a certain type of food the day before. Appreciate food more as you learn which types of foods keep you fuller longer and which types give you more energy.

It may be hard to believe that you can lose weight by eating without restrictions, but by recognizing what food actually does to your body in addition to activating your taste buds, you can discover what You can find out if it tastes good. When what your body needs. Balootje is just a human being, and although she admits to going to her food drive-thru fast when she’s on OMAD, she says she’ll “regret it forever.” I am following up.

“It doesn’t keep you full all day. You realize it’s just crap that makes you feel more hungry and increases your appetite,” she says. “I always say you can eat anything, but please eat with common sense.”

Townsend points out that OMAD may not work for everyone, especially since some people need regular intakes of energy and nutrients. This includes people taking medication with meals, and people prone to hypoglycemia.

“Prolonged fasting, such as the OMAD diet, has been shown to cause significant harm,” adds Townsend. “If he’s only eating for one hour a day, it’s much more difficult to get the recommended energy, macronutrients and micronutrients.

The average adult woman needs about 1200-1500 calories per day just for vital body functions. A lack of energy and nutrients impairs the immune and endocrine (hormone) systems, causing the body to begin breaking down muscle for energy.

Balootje spends her time helping others successfully get started and follow OMAD, but she wants everyone to try some form of intermittent fasting and see what it can really do. She says she’s too bound by the idea of ​​needing three meals a day in addition to what’s prevalent in pills and supplements. I’ve noticed more and more.

Before starting OMAD, or intermittent fasting, we recommend contacting a registered dietitian or nutritionist who can help you make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need. , especially when you need extra energy throughout the day. Townsend also notes that side effects from all types of long-term fasting can occur, including irritability, anxiety, poor sleep, and even overeating.

“Intermittent fasting of any kind can be harmful for those who have or have a history of eating disorders,” Townsend says. It can become an obsession, and prolonged fasting is associated with binge eating and bulimia.”