A daily 1,500-calorie diet should consist of three meals and two snacks. Each meal has about 400 calories and each snack about 150 calories. Eating at regular intervals helps to control calorie intake and prevents overeating, says the Weight-control Information Network (WIN). The American Academy of Family Physicians encourages nutrient-rich foods to maximize vitamin and mineral intake while on a reduced-calorie diet.
Monday
Understanding standard serving sizes can help control calorie intake, says WIN, who suggests measuring cups and spoons as helpful tools for controlling calories. Dieters can start Monday with a nutrient-rich breakfast of 2 cups whole grain cereal with 1 cup skim milk and 1 1/4 cups whole strawberries. For lunch they may load up on fiber with 2 tbsp. hummus, 8 Triscuit crackers, 10 baby carrots and 1 container of light yogurt. A small apple with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter controls mid-afternoon hunger. A 3 oz. turkey burger on a whole wheat bun with 1 cup California-style vegetables is a simple, nutritious dinner. A toasted whole-wheat English muffin with 1 tsp. all-fruit jam makes a light evening snack.
Tuesday
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends low-fat and fat-free dairy foods as part of a nutrient-rich diet. A calcium-rich breakfast includes 2 slices whole-wheat toast with 1 slice of low-fat cheese, a medium banana and 1 cup skim milk. A turkey sandwich--3 oz. of lean deli meat turkey on 2 slices of whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato and mustard--with 1 oz. of pretzels and cucumber slices makes an easy lunch. Twenty almonds are a nutrient-rich afternoon snack. A heart-healthy dinner may consist of 4 oz. grilled salmon, 1 cup couscous, 1 cup steamed carrots and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing. A 1/2 cup of light ice cream is a 150-calorie evening snack.
Wednesday
Whole grain foods help people feel full longer, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. They recommend foods with three or more grams of fiber per serving. One cup cooked oatmeal with 2 tbsp. of raisins and 1 cup skim milk is a high fiber, whole grain breakfast. A whole grain lunch includes 2 Ryvita crackers with 2 tbsp. of peanut butter and 2 cups of cantaloupe. A light yogurt with 1/4 cup unsweetened whole grain cereal is a high protein, fiber-containing afternoon snack. For dinner dieters may enjoy 3 oz. of broiled chicken with 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 10 asparagus spears and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing. Six cups of air-popped popcorn are a great way to the end the day.
Thursday
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests choosing low-fat, lean cuts of meat, and trimming away any fat before cooking. A high-protein breakfast may consist of two scrambled eggs, with 2 slices of whole wheat toast, 1 tsp. of margarine and 2 tsp. of all-fruit jelly. A tuna sandwich--3 oz. tuna, 2 tbsp. low-fat mayonnaise--stuffed into a whole-wheat pita, with a medium apple and 3 graham cracker squares is a lean protein lunch. Two tbsp. of raisins with 15 peanuts is a satisfying afternoon snack. A lean 3 oz. portion of London broil with 1/2 cup of roasted potatoes, 1 cup of corn and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing is a sensible dinner. A 1/2 cup serving of whole-grain cereal with a 1/2 cup skim milk easily becomes an evening snack.
Friday
WIN suggests using smaller plates and bowls to help control portions. A small whole-wheat bagel with 1 tbsp. low-fat cream cheese, 1 container of light yogurt and 1 medium banana is a portion-controlled breakfast. Three ounces of grilled chicken on 2 cups of spinach with 7 walnuts and low-fat salad dressing with a small whole-wheat dinner roll is a nutrient-rich, protein-packed lunch. Two rice cakes with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese makes a filling afternoon snack. Pasta primavera, made with 1 cup whole-wheat pasta, 2 cups mixed vegetables and 2 tbsp. of Parmesan cheese, is a delicious vegetarian dinner. Forty fresh grapes makes for a refreshing evening snack.
Saturday
WIN recommends people eat slowly to allow the brain time to signal fullness. A two-egg vegetable omelet with 1 slice low-fat cheese and 1/2 cup of leftover vegetables, 1 slice of whole-wheat toast with 1 tsp. of margarine and 1 cup of fresh mixed fruit is a leisurely Saturday breakfast. A ham and cheese panini sandwich-- made with 2 oz. of lean ham and 1 slice of low-fat Swiss cheese on 2 slices of hearty whole grain bread--with 1 cup of fresh blueberries makes a savory lunch. Ten vanilla wafer cookies and a cup of hot tea with lemon is a sweet afternoon snack. Dieters can mix together 10 broiled shrimp with 1/2 cup whole wheat linguine, 1/2 cup marinara sauce and 1 cup of cauliflower and broccoli, and serve with a 1 oz. piece of Italian bread for a low-fat delicious dinner. A 1/2 cup of light ice cream is a treat to end the day.
Sunday
Colorful fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients, says the American Academy of Family Physicians, especially dark green and orange vegetables. Three 4-inch whole-wheat blueberry pancakes with 2 tbsp. light pancake syrup and 3 slices of turkey bacon is a colorful breakfast. Two cups of vegetable soup with 8 saltine crackers and a romaine lettuce salad with low-fat dressing makes for a nutrient-rich lunch. A medium orange with 7 walnuts is a snack high in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids. A 5 oz. pork chop with a medium baked sweet potato and 1 cup cooked spinach is a dinner rich in beta-carotene and iron. A 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and a small peach will make a nice evening snack.
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