Is food variation important?

Hi Jordan,

A friend told me she recently read a book claiming that you had to eat X amount of different foods to be healthy. That you could not simply eat exactly the same foods over and over again as this would lead to disease in the long run.

I did not place much importance on that, but got me curious. Is there any potential harmful effect to eating the same foods weekly? Say 5 pounds of chicken every week, 500g of lentils every week, etc.

Thanks!

In general, a health-promoting dietary pattern incorporates significant amounts of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, etc. That said, the variety of foodstuffs consumed doesn’t really matter as best as we can tell.

Thanks for answering!

Hello. I wondered about that too, because I usually eat the same food and I don’t feel uncomfortable about it. I think it’s more about trying new things.

I’m not sure, but people do say it!

Hey there! Your friend’s book sounds interesting, but I think it’s important to remember that food variation is just one aspect of a healthy diet.

While it’s true that incorporating a variety of foods can provide a wider range of nutrients, it’s also okay to have some go-to favorites that you enjoy regularly.