Lose weight, eat well and feel great with this easy weight-loss diet plan. This simple 1,200 calorie meal plan is tailored to help you feel energized and satisfied while cutting calories
Lose weight, eat well and feel great with this easy weight loss diet plan. This simple 1,200-calorie meal plan is specially tailored to help you feel energized and satisfied while cutting calories so you can lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week. Each day of this 7-day diet plan features the best foods for weight loss, being high protein, high fiber foods (a combination that research shows can help with weight loss by keeping you feeling fuller for longer), and strategically balances calories throughout the day so you won’t feel starved. The calorie totals are listed next to each meal so you can easily swap things in and out as you see fit. Couple this healthy meal plan with daily exercise and you’re on track to lose the weight.
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How to Meal Prep Your Week of Meals:
Carve out time at the begging of the week to get meal prep out of the way and save yourself time during the busy week.
1. Make the Ravioli & Vegetable Soup ahead of time to have for lunch on Days 1 & 2.
2. Mix up the Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette and the Avocado-Yogurt Dip.
3. Bake the Maple-Nut Granola or opt for a healthy store-bought granola to save time. Look for a granola that has around 130 calories or less and less than 6 grams of sugar per 1/4 cup.
4. Hard boil 2 eggs for Days 4 & 5.
5. Make a batch of Easy Brown Rice to use on Days 1, 2 & 5.
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Day 1
Breakfast (271 calories)
• 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
Morning Snack (61 calories)
• 1/3 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
Lunch (341 calories)
• 2 cups Ravioli & Vegetable Soup
• 1 Tomato-Cheddar Cheese Toast
Afternoon Snack (93 calories)
• 3 Tbsp. hummus
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
Dinner (437 calories)
• 1 serving Smoky Maple-Mustard Salmon
• 1/2 cup Easy Brown Rice
• 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
• 1 cup green beans
• 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper, divided between the brown rice and green beans
• 2 tsp. olive oil, divided between the brown rice and green beans
Toss green beans in olive oil, salt and pepper and roast alongside the salmon. Mix the remaining oil in with the rice, season with salt and pepper, and top with chopped walnuts for an easy brown rice “pilaf”.
Daily Totals: 1,197 calories, 65 g protein, 115 g carbohydrates, 23 g fiber, 54 g fat, 1,772 mg sodium.
Day 2
Breakfast (270 calories)
• 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
Morning Snack (121 calories)
• 5 dried apricots
• 6 walnut halves
Lunch (295 calories)
Leftover soup
• 2 cups Ravioli & Vegetable Soup
• 1 clementine
Afternoon Snack (93 calories)
• 3 Tbsp. hummus
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
Dinner (424 calories)
• 1 1/2 cups Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry
• 1/2 cup Easy Brown Rice
Daily Totals: 1,213 calories, 48 g protein, 137 g carbohydrates, 29 g fiber, 57 g fat, 1,116 mg sodium.
Day 3
Breakfast (267 calories)
• 1/4 cup Maple-Nut Granola
• 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup blueberries
Morning Snack (35 calories)
• 1 clementine
Lunch (354 calories)
• 1 serving Apple & Cheddar Pita Pockets
Afternoon Snack (47 calories)
• 1/2 medium apple
Dinner (457 calories)
• 1 serving (1 pepper) Moroccan-Style Stuffed Peppers
• 2 cups spinach
Sauté spinach in 1 tsp. of olive oil and a pinch of both salt and pepper (1/16 tsp. each)
Evening Snack (50 calories)
• 1 Tbsp. chocolate chips, preferably dark chocolate
Daily Totals: 1,219 calories, 65 g protein, 164 g carbohydrates, 24 g fiber, 37 g fat, 1,582 mg sodium.
Day 4
Breakfast (267 calories)
• 1/4 cup Maple-Nut Granola
• 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup blueberries
Morning Snack (83 calories)
• 1 hard boiled egg
• 1 tsp. hot sauce, if desired
Lunch (336 calories)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 3 oz. cooked chicken breast
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup grated carrots
• 1 clementine
• 2 Tbsp. Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette
Combine ingredients & top salad with vinaigrette.
Afternoon Snack (86 calories)
• 4 dried apricots
• 4 walnut halves
Dinner (444 calories)
• 2 1/4 cup Warm Lentil Salad with Sausage & Apple
• 1/2 cup Quick Pickled Beets
Daily Totals: 1,221 calories, 85 g protein, 108 g carbohydrates, 25 g fiber, 53 g fat, 1,372 mg sodium
Day 5
Breakfast (266 calories)
• 1 cup all-bran cereal
• 3/4-cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup blueberries
Morning Snack (101 calories)
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 Tbsp. Avocado-Yogurt Dip
Lunch (314 calories)
• 1 Tomato-Cheddar Cheese Toast
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 3 Tbsp. grated carrot
• 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted dry-roasted almonds
Top greens with grated carrot, cucumber, hard-boiled egg, almonds and 1 1/2 tsp. each olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
Afternoon Snack (93 calories)
• 3 dried apricots
• 1/3 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 tsp. chopped walnuts
Dinner (427 calories)
• 1 1/2 cups Quick Chicken Tikka Masala
• 1/2 cup Easy Brown Rice
Daily Totals: 1,215 calories, 70 g protein, 158 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 46 g fat, 1,271 mg sodium.
Day 6
Breakfast (266 calories)
• 1 cup all-bran cereal
• 3/4-cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup blueberries
Morning Snack (66 calories)
• 2 Tbsp. Avocado-Yogurt Dip
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
Lunch (325 calories)
Leftover Chicken Tikka Masala
• 1 1/2 cups Quick Chicken Tikka Masala
• 1 cup spinach
Reheat the chicken on top of the spinach in the microwave.
Afternoon Snack (35 calories)
• 1 clementine
Dinner (507 calories)
• 2 cups Korean Beef Stir-Fry
• 1/2 cup, cooked buckwheat soba noodles (about 1 ounce dry noodles)
Daily Totals: 1,199 calories, 83 g protein, 154 g carbohydrates, 36 g fiber, 39 g fat, 1,618 mg sodium.
Day 7
Breakfast (266 calories)
• 1 cup all-bran cereal
• 3/4-cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup blueberries
Morning Snack (117 calories)
• 4 Tbsp. Avocado-Yogurt Dip
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
Lunch (301 calories)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 3 oz. cooked chicken breast
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup grated carrots
• 2 Tbsp. Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette
Combine ingredients and top salad with vinaigrette.
Afternoon Snack (42 calories)
• 5 dried apricots
Dinner (494 calories)
• 1 serving (1/4 pizza) Wild Mushroom Pizza with Arugula & Pecorino
