By: Lifestyle DeskNew Delhi | Updated: October 5, 2025 04:57 PM IST 4 min readSeveral celebrities, including athletes and actors like Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sunil Chhetri, are known to eat one type of food for months without getting bored. Known as the monotrophic diet, this eating pattern focuses on the idea that simplifying food combinations can ease the digestive process, allowing the body to break down and absorb nutrients efficiently.By eating just one food type, the digestive system isn’t overburdened with complex combinations, which can sometimes lead to bloating, indigestion, or other digestive discomfort. With the spotlight on blood sugar levels lately, we decided to find out what happens to the body if we go on a monotropic diet, and the kind of impact it can have on our insulin levels.Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, explained that a monotrophic diet means eating only one food at a time or repeating the same food for all meals in a day. Its impact on blood sugar depends on the type of food chosen.“If the food is high in carbohydrates or sugar, like rice, potatoes, or sweet fruits, it can cause quick spikes in blood sugar levels. On the other hand, if the food is low in sugar and rich in fiber, like leafy greens or non-starchy vegetables, blood sugar rises more slowly,” she said.Dr. Yashawant Kumar – Founder and CEO, Benefic Nutrition added that eating the same kind of food in a mono diet can lead to ketosis, aka a metabolic state that occurs when your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. “A mono diet creates a dysfunctional and quite a scary relationship with blood sugar. Either it increases sugar spikes dangerously or risking it also you can drop the blood sugar very low,” he said. Is a mono diet safe for diabetics? (Source: Freepik)Instead of following a mono diet, he recommended making sure your diet is balanced diet combine micronutrients. Choose complex carbs for example offer whole grains, legumes, vegetables and simple sugars.He also suggested food sequencing to keep spikes in check.Story continues below this adCan you follow this diet and curb insulin spikes?If you want to follow a mono diet and reduce insulin spikes, opt for foods with a low glycemic index (GI). These are foods that release sugar into the blood more gradually. Whole fruits with fiber, vegetables, and legumes are better choices than refined or starchy foods. Drinking water, eating in smaller portions, and avoiding overeating also help control sugar swings. Pairing mono meals with some physical activity, like walking, can further balance blood sugar.Is it safe for diabetics?For people with diabetes, Raj said that following a strict monotrophic diet is generally not safe. It may cause sharp fluctuations in blood sugar, nutrient imbalances, and energy crashes. “Since diabetics need a mix of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs to keep sugar steady, depending on one food can make management harder,” she said, adding that if a diabetic still wants to try a mono-style approach, it should only be under medical guidance, with close monitoring of sugar levels. A balanced diet is usually safer and more effective for long-term health.“It is completely unsafe if you, a type 2 diabetic, are not taking a doctor’s advice switching to a monotropic diet by yourself,” said Kumar.For diabetics looking to enjoy sweet flavors without impacting blood sugar, look for a product which is a combination of monk fruit and erythritol. “Monk fruit is derived from a fruit it contains the compounds called mogrosides that provide sweetness but have no calories or no impact on blood sugar,” he recommended.Story continues below this adDISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:blood sugardiet