Gary Lineker has revealed his secret to staying in top shape: adhering to a ‘one meal a day’ diet, similar to Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Lineker, who is 64 years old and has been presenting BBC‘s Match of the Day for a quarter of a century, plans to step down from his role after the ongoing Premier League season. However, he will continue to be the face of the broadcaster’s FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage.
The ex-Tottenham and Barcelona forward, who hung up his boots at 33, attributes his maintained physique to the somewhat contentious One Meal a Day (OMAD) diet, which he believes helps him control his weight.
“I only really eat one major meal a day,” Lineker told the Evening Standard in 2023. “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.”
Yet, it’s not just the diet that keeps Lineker fit, as he also engages in “intense exercise” – which he admitted is key to his health and fitness.
“I work out really hard,” former England international Lineker continued. “I do at least three sessions in the gym every week, and then I’ll do Pilates as well.”
The principle of the OMAD diet is that by consuming only one meal per day, one is likely to ingest fewer calories, often leading to weight loss. Similar diets, like the 16:8 diet, are based on the same concept, with this particular version allowing eating only during an eight-hour period.
Despite the fact that Gary Lineker and other celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay’s Martin reportedly follow this diet, nutritionists have issued a warning.
Abigail Roberts, a nutritionist, told the Mirror: “Eating just one meal per day can be considered an extreme form of intermittent fasting,” She added: “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.”