New Jersey Man Eats Only Sweetgreen for 25 Days, Loses 9 Pounds

Tim Donahue, a 27-year-old advertising professional from Hoboken, New Jersey, recently completed a 25-day challenge where he consumed only meals from the fast-casual chain Sweetgreen. The experiment, inspired by Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary "Super Size Me," aimed to see the effects of exclusively eating from a health-conscious establishment.

Donahue chose Sweetgreen, describing it as the "furthest possible opposite" of the fast-food chains featured in Spurlock's film. The idea also stemmed from observing his health-conscious colleagues regularly ordering Sweetgreen for lunch while he opted for less healthy fast food. "Everyone inside my office is very healthy, and they were getting Sweetgreen bowls every single day for lunch," Donahue told Fox News Digital. "I myself would go pick up a fast-food burger, and everyone would razz and make fun of me."

Initially planning for a 30-day challenge, Donahue adjusted the duration to 25 days due to scheduling conflicts such as weddings and work trips. His primary rule was to eat only items available on the Sweetgreen menu, with an exception made for black coffee. While Sweetgreen offers a variety of options, Donahue focused primarily on its bowls.

Weight Loss and Favorite Meal

By the end of the 25-day period, Donahue had lost approximately nine pounds. He also identified a favorite menu item: the hot honey chicken bowl, which he consumed frequently throughout the experiment. He noted that the variety of ingredients offered by Sweetgreen made it easier to sustain the diet than he anticipated. The most significant challenge, according to Donahue, was not the food itself but the logistical planning required to adhere to the diet around the restaurant's operating hours and social engagements.

Cost and Company Response

Donahue acknowledged that the experiment was expensive, particularly when compared to the cost of preparing meals at home. He stated that while he offset some costs by abstaining from alcohol and other restaurant meals, the overall expense was considerable. He emphasized that Sweetgreen did not sponsor his challenge. However, the company took notice of his endeavor. Nicolas Jammet, Sweetgreen's co-founder and chief concept officer, told Fox News Digital that Donahue's video inspired the company to launch its own "30-day Sweetgreen challenge," inviting 30 participants to eat exclusively Sweetgreen for 30 days and document their experiences. The company has since received hundreds of applications for this initiative.

Post-Experiment Reflection

Upon completing the 25 days of Sweetgreen meals, Donahue indulged in a cheese pizza from his favorite local pizzeria. However, the sudden return to heavier food had an adverse effect. "It did make me feel quite sick because it's a shock to your system," he said. Despite losing weight and reporting increased energy, Donahue stressed that his experiment was not intended as nutritional advice. He clarified that he is neither a doctor nor a nutritionist and views the challenge primarily as a "fun filmmaking journey."