Why This Meal Plan Is Great for You

At least 80 grams of protein and 30 grams of fiber are provided daily to keep you energized between meals. By slowing down your digestion, protein can help you have sustained energy throughout the day.

While desserts and sweet bites can certainly have their place in a healthy eating routine, many people are eating more added sugars than they realize. On average, Americans consume about 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day, significantly over the American Heart Association’s recommended daily max of 9 teaspoons for men and 6 for women.12 It’s expected that added sugars are in foods like desserts and sweetened beverages, but you may be surprised where else added sugars are making their way into your routine, such as store-bought sauces, dressings and pre-made soups. Take a peek at the nutrition label the next time you’re grocery shopping to see if sugar is listed on the ingredients.

We set this meal plan at 1,500 calories per day and included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day as individual calorie needs vary. To make the job easier for you, we included some meal-prep tips at the beginning of the week for make-ahead breakfast, lunch and snack options. As with all meal plans, use this as a guide, but feel free to make adjustments as needed based on your routine and taste preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it okay to mix and match meals if there is one I do not like?

     

  • Can I eat the same breakfast or lunch every day?

     

  • What’s the difference between added and natural sugars?

     

How Do Protein and Fiber Keep You Full?

Protein and fiber both play a role in keeping you full—but how? While both slow down your digestion, each has additional mechanisms. Research shows that when protein is digested, the hunger hormone ghrelin is suppressed while satiety hormones are released, which helps increase feelings of fullness.4 Fiber is digested slowly, meaning it takes longer to make its way through the digestive system, keeping us fuller for longer. Additionally, soluble fiber is fermented in the colon, forming short-chain fatty acids that increase the release of appetite-regulating peptides, which can also help improve satiety.5

High-Protein & High-Fiber Foods to Focus On

  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Poultry
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Meat
  • Soy
  • Seitan
  • Whole grains, such as oats, bulgur, farro, whole wheat and more
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Nuts and seeds

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

  1. Make Chicken Fajita Bowls to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
  2. Prepare Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites to have for breakfast throughout the week.
  3. Make Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix to have for breakfast throughout the week.
  4. Make Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls to have as a snack throughout the week.

Day 1

loaded cucumber and avocado sandwich
JACOB FOX

Breakfast (387 calories)

  • 1 serving Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites
  • 1 medium apple
  • 1 cup low-fat plain kefir

A.M. Snack (141 calories)

  • 2 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (423 calories)

  • 1 serving Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwich
  • ¼ cup blueberries

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ¼ cup raspberries

Dinner (443 calories)

  • 1 serving Smoky Collards & Shrimp with Cheesy Grits

Daily Totals: 1,520 calories, 60g fat, 97g protein, 160g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 2,019mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit kefir at breakfast, change lunch to 1 serving Cucumber Salad Sandwich with 1/4 cup blueberries and omit yogurt at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack and add 1 medium banana with 1 ½ Tbsp. natural peanut butter as an evening snack.

Day 2

a recipe photo of the stuffed peppers

Breakfast (318 calories)

  • 1 serving Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix, prepared with water
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup sliced strawberries

A.M. Snack (141 calories)

  • 2 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (360 calories)

  • 1 serving Chicken Fajita Bowls
  • 1 clementine

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ¼ cup raspberries

Dinner (566 calories)

  • 1 serving Chicken Parmesan & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 52g fat, 96g protein, 175g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,399mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit walnuts at breakfast, change A.M. snack to ½ cup blueberries and omit yogurt at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 4 energy balls at A.M. snack, add 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to P.M. snack and add 1 serving Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes to dinner.

Day 3

a recipe photo of the Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites
PHOTOGRAPHER: BRIE GOLDMAN, FOOD STYLIST: LAUREN MCANELLY, PROP STYLIST: GABRIEL GRECO

Breakfast (387 calories)

  • 1 serving Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites
  • 1 medium apple
  • 1 cup low-fat plain kefir

A.M. Snack (131 calories)

  • 1 large pear

Lunch (325 calories)

  • 1 serving Chicken Fajita Bowls

P.M. Snack (267 calories)

  • 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ¼ cup raspberries
  • 2 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Dinner (404 calories)

  • 1 serving Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Cherries
  • 1 serving Roasted Garlic Butter Potatoes

Daily Totals: 1,514 calories, 51g fat, 89g protein, 186g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 2,080mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit apple at breakfast, change A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit yogurt at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack, increase to 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls at P.M. snack and add 1 serving Massaged Kale Salad to dinner.

Day 4

8059139.jpg

Breakfast (318 calories)

  • 1 serving Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix, prepared with water
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup sliced strawberries

A.M. Snack (212 calories)

  • 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (325 calories)

  • 1 serving Chicken Fajita Bowls

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ¼ cup raspberries

Dinner (520 calories)

  • 1 serving Grilled Chicken with Red Pepper-Pecan Romesco Sauce
  • 1 serving Whole-Wheat Couscous with Parmesan & Peas

Daily Totals: 1,501 calories, 60g fat, 85g protein, 170g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,798mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit yogurt at P.M. snack and substitute 1 cup steamed green beans for the couscous at dinner.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to ¼ cup chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to A.M. snack, 1 medium apple to lunch and ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack.

Day 5

a recipe photo of the Salmon Orzo Casserole with Lemon Dill
STACY K. ALLEN, PROPS: JULIA BAYLESS, FOOD STYLIST: ANA KELLEY

Breakfast (387 calories)

  • 1 serving Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Egg Bites
  • 1 medium apple
  • 1 cup low-fat plain kefir

A.M. Snack (212 calories)

  • 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (384 calories)

  • 1 serving Chicken Fajita Bowls
  • 1 medium peach

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ¼ cup raspberries

Dinner (391 calories)

  • 1 serving Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo Casserole

Meal-Prep Tip: Reserve two servings Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo Casserole to have for lunch on days 6 & 7

Daily Totals: 1,499 calories, 53g fat, 90g protein, 176g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,987mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit apple at breakfast and change A.M. snack to 1 plum.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack, 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to P.M. snack and 1 serving Traditional Greek Salad to dinner.

Day 6

a recipe photo of the Grilled Steak Salad with Corn, Cucumbers, and Grilled Sweet Onion Dressing
PHOTOGRAPHER: RACHEL MAREK, FOOD STYLIST: ANNIE PROBST

Breakfast (318 calories)

  • 1 serving Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix, prepared with water
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup sliced strawberries

A.M. Snack (140 calories)

  • ½ cup low-fat no-salt-added cottage cheese
  • 1 medium peach

Lunch (391 calories)

  • 1 serving Anti-Inflammatory Lemony Salmon & Orzo Casserole

P.M. Snack (248 calories)

  • ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
  • ½ cup blueberries

Dinner (409 calories)

  • 1 serving Grilled Steak Salad with Corn, Cucumbers & Sweet Onion Dressing

Daily Totals: 1,506 calories, 76g fat, 84g protein, 133g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 1,427mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit cottage cheese at A.M. snack and omit almonds at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to ¼ cup chopped walnuts at breakfast, add a 1-oz. slice of whole-wheat baguette to dinner and add 4 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls as an evening snack.

Day 7

Seared Halibut Fish Tacos With Cilantro Slaw recipe on a white plate for serving

 

SOURCES