Is OMAD Really Healthy?

[SimpleGuy]

I`ve been eating One Meal A Day (OMAD) for 2 years already. I feel fine, but I`m still dubious I`m missing something out, that there`s better way to basically consume food.

Guys, is OMAD really healthy? What are your thoughts?

[PsychedelicEagle]

I think mineral absorption can be a problem. AFAIU, Magnesium and Calcium absorption saturate within a single meal. Which means, if you spread the dose, you absorb more Calcium and Magnesium compared to taking it all at once.

Take my case for example: I do 2 meals/day and I eat 1000mg+ of Calcium, roughly 400-700 each meal. Despite that, I still need to supplement 500mg Calcium to reach ideal PTH, serum Phosphate, and a urinary Calcium close to what I was told is ideal: 2mg/kg of bw per day ~= 145mg/24h urinary Calcium excretion in my case.

If you find a very good endocrinologist, they'll be able to guide you into performing these types of tests to optimize intake, and potentially fix defficiencies. I learn this after showing up for a consultation with very inadequate phosphate levels, because my body was lacking Calcium and therefore eliminating Phosphate to retain Calcium.

[Ramasta9]

Yes it is, there are many benefits and is well researched and scientifically proven. You can actually eat every other day and still be very healthy.

Our bodies evolved mostly in a fasted state finding and gathering food and later hunting when no fruit trees were available. Sometimes we went for days without eating. Today we eat 3+ meals a day and snacks in between and its very unnatural to eat this way, especially the snacking. This was heavily pushed by food companies and advertisements to raise profit margins. Hence those who eat multiple times a day, especially 5 - 6 + meals a day, like long term bodybuilders, die prematurely from some form of premature illness or organ damage / overload. Its very common.

When you eat one meal a day, once a few days pass and your body stabilizes, you will be amazed at the balanced and sustained energy that carries you, and yet you will notice people who do eat multiple meals, rise and crash with each meal. It really allows you to see the downside of eating so many times and how time consuming it also is. You can get so much more done with less prep and less time digesting, and more energy for creativity.

Breakfast being the most important meal of the day is also backwards. Its not wise to eat before 11am unless its light fruit or juice. Research into our natural circadian rhythms. I do at least 16 - 18 hours of fasting every single day without trying. I personally eat my first meal anywhere from 11am - 2pm sometimes even later, depending on how my days go or if I am caught up with daily duties and activities, which I actually prefer, because I do more, eat less and feel better overall. Sometimes I am really busy and have my first meal by 4 - 6 pm and just eat for the next hour or so and call it a day.

I experimented with OMAD for a few months and i really enjoyed it, especially in winter, but I missed how I felt on fruit so I dropped it. I eat mostly fruit so I reverted back to 2 - 3 meals, or rather (4 - 6 hour eating window) and the digestion and energy usage of 2 - 3 fruit meals is like 50% or less of a single regular omnivores meal anyway. I know a friend who only eats one fruit meal a day and he swears its GOD MODE, but I'm not at that level yet.

I personally don't worry about vitamins / minerals / supplements anymore, I have a deep trust in my life and nature, but if you are concerned you can always break your fast with a nutrient rich superfood smoothie, then just eat your main meal to fill the stomach up and feel full and call it a day  

Herbal teas in between and during fasted state can help a lot too. Some people do caffeine too, if that's your thing.

[SimpleGuy]

Thanks @PsychedelicEagle @Ramasta9 Appreciate it!