Eating one meal a day, or OMAD, has gained attention as a form of intermittent fasting that limits calorie intake to a single window. It may help with weight loss and has been linked to lower blood sugar, reduced inflammation, and improved heart health markers.
But the approach is not for everyone.
Content creator Zeinab Harake said those considering OMAD should first understand the risks cited by nutritionists and medical professionals before committing to such a restrictive pattern.
Zeinab, known for her candid posts, said her decision to try OMAD came from personal struggles with body image.
“I was chubby before, and I had a lot of insecurities,” she told Manila Standard Life in an interview.
She recalled how those insecurities grew when she compared herself with people she appeared with in her vlogs.
“That’s when I started. I carried those insecurities from before. When I was with my vlog friends, they all looked so small. That’s where my insecurities began. I realized I looked bigger next to them. I only came to that realization late, during the pandemic,” she said.
Zeinab said it was also during that period that she developed discipline, which she credits for helping her stay consistent.
After giving birth to her daughter, she said she was introduced by Anna Magkawas to Luxe Slim, while maintaining that her weight loss journey relied on effort and consistency.
“I really put in the effort after giving birth. I still eat, I eat,” she said, laughing.
She added that she prefers an “organic” approach and avoids injectable weight-loss treatments such as peptides or drugs like Ozempic.
“I’m scared of injections. I feel like they have effects. You can see it in a person’s aura. I’ve been around people who take them, and I tell them when it’s enough, especially when you see changes in their face. I’m not against it, but personally I’m more comfortable going organic,” she explained.
On her OMAD routine, Harake shared that she usually eats once in the evening.
“Yesterday I ate at 12:30 p.m., but usually it’s around 8 or 9 p.m. I only have coffee when I wake up, then I work the whole day or take care of the kids. If I don’t have work, I’m with the kids. Then I join them for dinner,” she said.
She also makes sure to exercise regularly, especially when preparing for a special project or campaign.
Despite the limited eating window, she said her energy levels remain steady.
“My energy is actually okay because I’m working the whole day. I just make sure what I eat is healthy, and I take the right supplements,” she added.
Asked what advice she would give her younger self, Zeinab pointed to one thing.
“Discipline. I didn’t have discipline before. Now I do.”
