You might get bored eating the same meals day after day, but it’s helpful to know the pros and cons of doing so. Whether eating the same meals daily is good or bad for your health really depends on what you’re eating.

PROS

Easy Calorie and Nutrient Tracking

The good thing about eating the same meals every day (as long as portions are the same too) is you know what you’re getting in calories and nutrients. Use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Tracker and nutrients reports to get a full nutrient analysis (including calories, protein, carbs, fiber, fat, vitamin, minerals, etc. consumed) to make sure you’re meeting your body’s daily nutrient needs.

Possible Weight Loss

Eating the same foods daily could make it easier for you to shed pounds if you’re following a structured diet plan. When tracking calories for weight loss, aim for 1,200 to 1,500 daily for women and 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day for men. Eating the same foods (in the same portions) daily can make it easier to track calories for weight loss and stay on track with diet programs, but isn’t a guarantee you’ll shed pounds.

Enjoyment

Eating the same meals every day can be enjoyable if you’re choosing all the foods you love. That doesn’t mean after a few months of eating the same foods those foods will still be your favorite. Nonetheless, feelings of happiness can happen when you’re eating foods you love day after day. And if your meals are healthy and well-balanced, there might not be harm in it. If your favorite foods are unhealthy, however, steer clear.

CONS

Boredom

In time, you’ll probably get sick of eating the same foods every day — especially if you’re following a fad diet that lacks luster. You may eat less food because of it, which is beneficial when you’re trying to shed pounds, but over time eating might begin to feel like a chore.

Nutrient Deficiencies

It’s difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs daily when eating the same foods day after day. While it can be done (especially when taking multivitamin supplements and choosing well-balanced meal plans), it’s best to meet your body’s nutrient needs with a variety of healthy foods and changing up what you eat regularly. Without being meticulously planned out, a diet that lacks variety can contribute to nutrient deficiencies over time.

Toxicity Concerns

Depending on which foods you choose, toxicity is a concern when eating the same meals day after day. For example, getting too much mercury (present in fish) in your diet can cause major health problems if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or a child. Over time, too much mercury can cause nervous system problems and brain damage in babies exposed during pregnancy.

Possible Weight Gain

If the meals you’re eating every day are high in fat and calories (consisting of mainly junk food), be prepared for unwanted weight gain. Choose regular meals wisely — aim for lean meats and poultry, low-fat dairy foods or calcium-rich plant foods, whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based fats like avocado and vegetable oils.

_{[Image via Shutterstock]}