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Can you eat only one food?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on February 21, 2026

First and foremost, it's not a good idea to only eat one kind of food. To survive, we need 20 amino acids—of which nine are essential, meaning we can't make them ourselves and must get them from food—as well as a plethora of minerals and vitamins.

What happens if you only eat 1 food?

With the exception of fruit, eating only one type of any food would give you scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C. So basically, choosing to eat only one food will generally result in one or more life-threatening illnesses.

Can you only eat one thing?

Consuming only meat would eventually force your body to start munching on your own muscles. And if you stuck solely to almost any one food (besides fruit), you would develop a serious case of scurvy.

What 2 foods can you survive on?

Kelp, alaria and laver (kombu, wakame and nori in Japanese cuisine) are among the most common. Almost all kinds are edible. Seaweed is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Once dried it will keep of months, too.

What is it called when you only eat one food?

A monotrophic diet (also known as the mono diet or single-food diet) is a type of diet that involves eating only one food item (such as potatoes or apples) or one type of food (such as fruits or meats).

Food Theory: Can You SURVIVE On One Food?

Is eating 1 meal a day healthy?

For most people, there are no serious dangers involved in eating one meal a day, other than the discomforts of feeling hungry. That said, there are some risks for people with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Eating one meal a day can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Is one meal a day good?

Bottom line. Eating one meal a day may be a popular way to lose weight, but it's likely not a good idea for overall health. Although fasting in general — including prolonged fasting — may benefit health in a number of ways, people can reach the same health benefits using much more sustainable methods.

Can you live off a single food?

Consuming only meat would eventually force your body to start munching on your own muscles. And if you stuck solely to almost any one food (besides fruit), you would develop a serious case of scurvy.

What is the healthiest food on earth?

The 11 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet

  1. Salmon. Not all fish are created equal. ...
  2. Kale. Of all the leafy greens, kale is the king. ...
  3. Seaweed. The sea has more than just fish. ...
  4. Garlic. Garlic really is an amazing ingredient. ...
  5. Shellfish. ...
  6. Potatoes. ...
  7. Liver. ...
  8. Sardines.

What is the bare minimum food to survive?

While it's safe for both men and women to limit their intake to 1,200 calories a day, women may have an easier time meeting their nutrient needs than men, says Harvard Health Publications. Based on this information, limiting your intake to 1,200 to 1,500 calories may help you lose while eating the bare minimum.

What foods can you survive on alone?

4 Foods You Could (Almost) Exclusively Live Off Of

  • Potatoes. Advertisement. ...
  • Human Breast Milk. Advertisement. ...
  • Kale. Advertisement. ...
  • Trail Mix.

Can you survive on just meat?

If we were to just chow down on steaks on their own, you would lose out on some of the vital nutrients the human body requires to function. Just as people get their nutrients from lots of different foods, you need to add in a few more varieties of meats.

Is eating 2 meals a day healthy?

There are no health benefits to eating more often. It doesn't increase the number of calories burned or help you lose weight. Eating more often also doesn't improve blood sugar control. If anything, eating fewer meals is healthier.

What happens if I eat a little a day?

Eating once a day slows down your metabolism.

"If you go long periods of time without eating, your metabolism actually slows down to hold on to energy," Brenda Braslow, RD, MS with MyNetDiary. "It can defeat your efforts to cut back on calorie intake."

What does it mean if I'm never hungry?

A lack of appetite and a decrease in hunger levels can be caused by a variety of physical or mental factors. Mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and stress, can all have a negative effect on hunger levels.

What is the #1 unhealthiest food in the world?

50 Unhealthiest Foods In The World 2022

  • #1 Pizza.
  • #2 Sugary Drinks. ...
  • #3 Non-dairy toppings. ...
  • #4 Raw “Fugu” blowfish liver sashimi. ...
  • #5 Cheetos (Unhealthiest Foods In The World) ...
  • #6 White Bread.
  • #7 Fruit Juices (Unhealthiest Foods In The World) ...
  • #8 Sausage (Unhealthiest Foods In The World)

What is the most unhealthy food?

  • Super-Sweet Cereals. Breakfast cereals are commonly loaded with sugar. ...
  • Sugary Coffee Drinks. Many people are accustomed to starting their day with high-calorie coffee drinks. ...
  • Canned Soup. Canned soup is notorious for being very high in sodium. ...
  • Margarine Bars. ...
  • High-Calorie Soda. ...
  • Processed Meats. ...
  • Ice Cream. ...
  • Frozen French Fries.

What is the #1 superfood?

Blueberries are at the top of almost every superfood list, but just about any edible berry is worthy of superfood status.

Can you survive eating only eggs?

Experts still advise people to limit cholesterol and maintain a healthful eating pattern. Consuming primarily eggs is not considered a healthful eating pattern, and experts do not recommend it, as this diet would limit a person's nutrient intake and could cause other health issues.

Can you survive just drinking water?

REUTERS/Francois Lenoir. Humans need food and water to survive. At least 60% of the adult body is made of water. A human can go without food for about three weeks but would typically only last three to four days without water.

Is it OK to skip meals?

Bottom line: Skipping meals is bad for your health.

Sure, skipping meals can happen from time to time, but doing it consistently can negatively impact your health and lead to nutritional deficiencies. You're also not able to perform at your best because all you can focus on is food.

Is it OK to skip dinner?

To begin with, skipping dinner could lead to nutritional deficiency in your body, since you need micronutrients like magnesium, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3 for daily functioning. And if you continue this practice for long, you put yourself at the risk of becoming malnourished or developing nutritional deficiencies.

What happens if you don't eat?

After eight hours without eating, your body will begin to use stored fats for energy. Your body will continue to use stored fat to create energy throughout the remainder of your 24-hour fast. Fasts that last longer than 24 hours may lead to your body to start converting stored proteins into energy.

How long is it safe to fast?

To keep yourself safe, especially if you are new to fasting, consider limiting your fast periods to 24 hours or fewer and keeping a snack on hand in case you start to feel faint or ill. If you do become ill or are concerned about your health, make sure you stop fasting straight away.

Will I lose weight if I stop eating?

“On a day you don't eat for 24 hours, you're guaranteed to be losing a third or half a pound of non-water weight that's mostly from body fat,” Pilon told Global News. “The truth is intermittent fasting is a way to create slow, steady weight loss.”