Sir Steve Redgrave attributes a one-meal-a-day diet to shedding 10kg before his Dancing on Ice debut.
The rowing icon, aged 62 and a five-time Olympic gold medallist, was recently announced as participating in the 2025 edition of ITV’s Dancing on Ice, alongside celebrities like Ferne McCann, Anton Ferdinand, and Michaela Strachan. Despite retiring from competitive rowing in 2000, Redgrave has maintained his commitment to fitness.
In a 2024 interview with the Telegraph, he revealed that he still works out “every other day,” albeit with less intense cardio compared to his Olympic training days. His dietary habits have also evolved since his athletic peak.
During his rowing career, Redgrave’s diet was heavily focused on carbohydrates, but now he opts for a simpler approach. He said: “I am trying to lose weight so I’m actually on one meal a day at the moment. I’ve reduced my breakfast intake and I prefer to have my main meal at lunchtime because by the afternoon I’m pretty hungry.
“I’ve lost 10 kilograms. But being diabetic makes intermittent fasting quite hard to do.” As per Surrey Live, intermittent fasting is a method which involves eating only during certain hours of the day. Studies suggest that restricting food intake for certain periods can have health benefits, and Redgrave is not alone in adopting this approach.
Gary Lineker, the Match of the Day presenter, has also previously confessed to have followed a similar diet. In a 2023 interview with the Evening Standard, Lineker revealed: “I only really eat one major meal a day. Breakfast I don’t eat, and then I’ll either pick in the evening if I’ve had lunch or pick in the daytime, with nuts and fruits.”
Lineker also emphasised the importance of regular exercise in maintaining his fitness levels, adding: “I work out really hard. I do at least three sessions in the gym every week, and then I’ll do Pilates as well.” However, not all experts agree that intermittent fasting is beneficial.
Nutritionist Abigail Roberts told the Mirror: “Eating just one meal per day can be considered an extreme form of intermittent fasting. Unless the meal contains all the necessary nutrients and calories required by the body, it’s unlikely to be a healthy approach to eating, especially if done over a long period.
“Research has shown that consuming only one meal a day can lead to inadequate nutrient intake, causing deficiencies that may lead to various health problems such as fatigue, weakened immunity, and impaired cognitive function. Additionally, eating one meal per day may increase the risk of binge eating during that meal, causing digestive discomfort such as bloating and constipation.
“Furthermore, some studies suggest that intermittent fasting can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and negatively affect sleep patterns, which can lead to physical and mental health problems.”