CAGAYAN de Oro City — For many Gen Z Filipinos, eating just one meal a day is no longer simply a wellness trend—it may be an economic reality. 

The One Meal A Day (OMAD) diet has exploded on TikTok and Instagram, where influencers promote it as a way to lose weight, improve focus, and simplify daily routines. But behind the millions of views lies a deeper concern: Are young people choosing OMAD for health, or because rising food prices are forcing them to eat less? 

Interviews conducted by the Mindanao Gold Star for a food security project indicate that the issue is increasingly driven by rising living costs. 

Many students and young professionals said they often skip meals or eat only once a day not because they intentionally follow intermittent fasting, but because balancing school, work, and rising food costs leaves them with few practical options. 

Healthy food becoming harder to afford 

The Philippine Statistics Authority has consistently identified food as the biggest household expense among low-income Filipino families, making even basic nutritious meals more difficult to sustain.

 The pressure has only intensified.

In a September 2025 Philippine News Agency report, Department of Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said prolonged rains disrupted fishing activities and damaged vegetable farms, driving up the prices of fish and fresh produce.

For many young consumers, healthier options such as fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich meals are becoming increasingly expensive, pushing them toward cheaper, more convenient alternatives—or fewer meals altogether. 

Experts: OMAD isn't for everyone

Intermittent fasting, including OMAD, is recognized as one of several eating patterns. 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some people adopt it for weight management or metabolic health. 

However, health experts emphasize that no single eating pattern works for everyone. 

Nutritional needs vary depending on age, activity level, and overall health, and restricting meals without proper nutrition may not be appropriate for many people. 

The World Health Organization recommends diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and quality protein, while the Food and Agriculture Organization stresses that food security means not only having food available but also being able to consistently afford safe and nutritious meals. 

A food security issue, not just a diet trend

The interviews found that convenience often outweighs nutrition. 

Preparing healthy meals requires time, planning, and money—resources many young Filipinos say are increasingly difficult to spare. 

Some rely on ready-to-eat food, while others skip breakfast or lunch simply to stretch limited budgets. 

For them, OMAD is less about following a viral lifestyle and more about adapting to financial realities. 

As inflation and food prices continue to reshape household spending, the growing popularity of OMAD highlights a broader issue beyond social media trends. 

The question is no longer just why Gen Z is eating one meal a day—but whether more Filipinos are doing so because they have fewer choices at the dining table.