A 7-Day, 1,200-Calorie Meal Plan

While 1,200 may be the right number for some people, it can be super restrictive for others, says Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. That’s why we’re using 1,200 as our base, and encourage you to build upon these meal and snack ideas by doubling (or tripling, quadrupling …you get the point!) up on veggies at any opportunity — and adding more fruit at snack time, too. You can also add 1-5 ounces of protein at all meals if at any point you’re feeling like it’s just not enough food to keep you satisfied. The combo of fiber from produce and lean protein makes this an adaptable strategy that’ll help you lose weight safely — one meal (and snack) at a time!

Combine 3/4 cup bran flakes, 1 banana, and 1 cup fat-free milk in a bowl.

Build a sandwich with 1 mini whole wheat pita, 3 ounces turkey breast, 1/2 roasted pepper, 1 teaspoon mayo, mustard, and lettuce. Serve with 1 stick part-skim mozzarella string cheese and 2 kiwis.

Serve 4 ounces broiled flounder or sole with 2 sliced plum tomatoes sprinkled with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, broiled until just golden. Eat with 1 cup cooked couscous and 1 cup steamed broccoli. Enjoy with a single-serve ice cream (like any of these delicious picks!) for dessert

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Blend 1 cup frozen berries, 1/2 banana, and 8 ounces of low- or fat-free milk into a smoothie. Grab 1 or 2 hard-boiled eggs on your way out the door.

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Heat up 1 cup vegetarian vegetable soup and serve with 1 veggie burger in a 100% whole-grain toast, bagel thin, or English muffin and 1 cup of grapes.

Brush 4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast with barbecue sauce and grill. Combine 2 heaping cups of sautéed spinach with garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes and serve with 1/2 plain baked or sweet potato (as desired).

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In the microwave, cook 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats with low-fat or unsweetened soy milk. Add 1/2 apple (sliced or chopped), 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of cinnamon.

To make a chicken salad, toss 4 ounces shredded skinless roast chicken breast with 1/4 cup sliced red grapes, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Serve over lettuce. Eat with 1 banana.

Serve 4 ounces steamed shrimp with 1 baked potato topped with 3 tablespoons salsa and 1 tablespoon unsweetened Greek yogurt, plus 3 cups spinach, steamed. Finish the meal off with 1 ounce of chocolate or a 100- to 150-calorie ice cream bar.

Top 1/2 toasted English muffin with 1/2 small apple, sliced, and 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat cheese, any type. Microwave 30 seconds on high. Serve with 2/3 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt sprinkled with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds.

Heat 1 cup tomato soup. Serve with a sandwich made with 1 mini whole-wheat pita, 3 ounces thinly sliced roast beef, 1 teaspoon horseradish, mustard, tomato slices, and lettuce. Eat with 2 cups raw veggies and 1/4 cup of hummus.

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Serve 4 ounces poached salmon with a slaw made by tossing 1 1/4 cups coleslaw mix and 2 sliced scallions with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Add spices, herbs, and seasoning as desired. Pair with 3/4 cup of a 100% whole grain (like quinoa) and an apple on the side.

Combine 1 cup Cheerios, 1/2 cup berries, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, and 6 ounces plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt in a bowl.

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Make a quesadilla by spreading 1/4 cup fat-free refried beans over a 100% stone-ground corn tortilla. Sprinkle on 1 ounce shredded part-skim cheese. Top with salsa and another tortilla; microwave 45 seconds on high. Serve with cucumber spears and 1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese or Greek yogurt topped with 2 clementines.

Serve 3 ounces roasted pork tenderloin with 1 cup baked acorn squash, mashed with a pinch of cinnamon; 2 to 3 cups salad greens with a dash of olive oil and as much vinegar as desired; and chocolate or an ice cream bar for dessert (100 to 150 calories).

Toast 1 100% whole-grain frozen waffle, spread with 2 tablespoons nut butter, and top with 1 small sliced banana plus cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve with 8 ounces fat-free milk.

Make a tuna pita with 1 mini whole-wheat pita, 2 ounces water-packed light tuna, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, mustard, cucumber, and onion slices. Serve with 10 baby carrots and 2/3 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt with a small pear.

Make jambalaya by combining 3/4 cup cooked brown rice; 1/2 cup corn; 2 ounces cooked turkey sausage, sliced; 1/3 cup salsa; and 1/4 cup no-salt-added black or navy beans. Heat through. Eat with 3 cups spinach sauteed with garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Layer 1/2 toasted English muffin with 1 ounce reduced-fat cheese, sliced; 1 tomato slice; 1 cup steamed spinach, drained; and 1 poached egg. Serve with 1 grapefruit.

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Make black bean salad by tossing 1/2 cup canned black beans, 1/2 cup orange slices, chopped red bell peppers, red onion, scallions, and any other desired veggies with 1 teaspoon vinegar. Serve over salad greens. Serve with 1 100% stone ground corn tortilla and a piece of fruit.

Serve 3 ounces broiled or grilled flank steak with 1 baked sweet potato with 1 teaspoon butter; 1 cup steamed zucchini; and 1 1/2 cup berries.