The "one meal a day" (OMAD) diet is drawing attention as a simple weight-loss method, but experts warn that blindly following the trend could harm health.
According to the medical community on Tuesday, OMAD is a dietary regimen of eating only one meal per day. It is a form of intermittent fasting that restricts eating times to reduce calorie intake.
Research has shown that prolonged fasting lowers insulin levels in the body and promotes fat breakdown, leading to weight loss. The method is also valued for its simplicity and for reducing the time spent on meal preparation and calorie counting.
The drawbacks, however, are significant. Long-term adherence can lead to muscle loss, nutritional imbalance, and weakened immunity. Extended fasting can trigger binge eating, and sharp fluctuations in blood sugar can cause headaches, reduced concentration, and fatigue.
The diet is particularly not recommended for adolescents in growth stages, pregnant women, and diabetic patients. Experts stress that even those practicing OMAD can gain weight if they overeat during their single meal.
Actress Park Joon-geum recently revealed on her YouTube channel that she has maintained a weight of 43 kilograms for 30 years through OMAD, saying, "I never exercise," and "You absolutely must fast."
Recalling her days as a dance major, when she gained weight and became a "sturdy pig" despite running both in the morning and afternoon, she declared, "If you don't want to exercise, you must fast, no matter what."
"There is no way to lose weight while eating delicious food," she added. "Diet requires controlling what you eat."
Experts advise that since the effects of OMAD vary greatly depending on body type and lifestyle, designing a diet tailored to one's individual condition is more important than blindly following the trend. Building sustainable eating habits, rather than seeking short-term results, is the key to long-term weight management.
