Simple 10-Day Diet Plan

A 10-day diet plan can help you jump-start long-term, healthy eating habits. You shouldn't use 10-day diet plans to lose a large amount of weight, as this can be unhealthy. According to the American Council on Exercise, short-term diets can help prime your body and get it ready for long-term weight loss. For a sound diet, you should plan on losing between 1 to 3 lbs. per week. Losing more may slow down or reverse weight loss in the long term.

Setting Goals

To set your 10-day diet plan in motion, establish your goals. Think about what you want out of your 10-day plan. Make your goals realistic so you are more likely to succeed after the plan has ended. For example, decide you're going to lose 2 lbs. in 10 days, eat three pieces of fruit a day or eat five small meals a day. These small goals help you establish larger goals, which may help you succeed with future diets.

Plan Ahead

For your 10-day plan to be as simple as possible, write down your meal times and exactly what you plan to eat. A simple way to follow a short-term meal plan is to write out five or six meals. This means you don't have to plan meals as you go. If you have written it out, you're more likely to stick to it. It's also effective to prepare meals ahead of time so all you have to do is pull it out of the fridge or pop it in the microwave. This saves time and gives you fewer excuses not to eat when you're supposed to.

Foods

Your meals should include all the basic macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. Sources of protein your diet should include are lean meats like turkey, chicken and fish; plant-based sources, like legumes; and dairy sources, such as low-fat milk and eggs. Complex carbohydrates should be in the form of fruits, vegetables, oatmeal and whole grains. Healthy fats can come from olive oil, nuts, avocados and fish. Use these and similar foods that are low in sugar and that contain no added sugars. Stay away from canned or prepackaged foods high in sodium. Read labels carefully when in doubt. Try to buy enough food for 10 days so you don't have to constantly shop. Most fruits, vegetables, whole grains and meats will last 10 days without spoiling. Freeze any meat you don't use until you're ready to cook it.

Considerations

Base your 10-day diet around your daily calorie needs. For example, if you need 2,000 calories, plan your meals according to this figure. Spread the calories out evenly throughout the day to prevent overeating or having all your fats at one meal. Roughly 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories should come from protein; 45 to 65 percent from carbohydrates; and 20 to 35 percent from healthy fats. Keeping with these basic guidelines will ensure a successful 10-day diet. Always consult your physician before starting a diet.