Weight Management 1-Week Healthy and Balanced Meal Plan Example By Shereen Lehman, MS Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Learn about our editorial process Shereen Lehman, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Mia Syn, MS, RDN on January 27, 2020 instagram Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. Learn about our Review Board Mia Syn, MS, RDN Updated on September 17, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Meal Planning Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Planning a daily menu isn't difficult as long as each meal and snack has some protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and a little bit of fat. Here's what you need to know about each meal: Eating breakfast will help you start your day with plenty of energy. Don't ruin your breakfast with high-fat and high-calorie foods. Choose some protein and fiber for your breakfast; breakfast is also a good time to eat some fresh fruit. A mid-morning snack is totally optional. If you eat a larger breakfast, you may not feel hungry until lunchtime. However, if you're feeling a bit hungry and lunch is still two or three hours away, a light mid-morning snack will tide you over without adding a lot of calories. Lunch is often something you eat at work or school, so it's a great time to pack a sandwich or leftovers that you can heat and eat. Or, if you buy your lunch, choose a healthy clear soup or fresh veggie salad. A mid-afternoon snack is also optional. Keep it low in calories and eat just enough to keep you from feeling too hungry because dinner is just a couple of hours away. Dinner is a time when it's easy to over-eat, especially if you haven't eaten much during the day, so watch your portion sizes. Mentally divide your plate into four quarters. One-quarter is for your meat or protein source, one-quarter is for a starch, and the last two-quarters are for green and colorful vegetables or a green salad. A complex carbohydrate-rich evening snack may help you sleep. Avoid heavy, greasy foods or foods high in refined sugars. Verywell A Week of Healthy Meal Plans Studying a few examples may make this whole meal planning thing easier, so here's a full week's worth. You don't need to follow the days in order; you can choose any meal plan, skip one, or repeat as you like. This week's meal plan was designed for a person who needs about 2,100 to 2,200 calories per day and doesn't have any dietary restrictions. Your daily calorie goal may vary. Learn what it is below, then make tweaks to the plan to fit your specific needs. Each day includes three meals and three snacks and has a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. You'll also get plenty of fiber from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Every plan includes three meals and three snacks to keep you feeling satisfied all day long. Some days even include a glass of beer or wine. Feel free to add more water, coffee, or herbal tea to any day, but keep in mind that adding cream or sugar also adds calories. It's OK to swap out similar menu items, but keep cooking methods in mind. Replacing a sirloin steak with grilled chicken is fine, for instance, but replacing it with chicken-fried steak isn't going to work because of the breading changes the fat, carb and sodium counts—and the calories. Finally, you can adjust your calorie intake by eliminating snacks if you want to lose weight or eating larger snacks if you want to gain weight. Day 1 Today's meal plan contains about 2,250 calories, with 55% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 20% from fat, and 25% from protein. It also has about 34 grams of fiber. Breakfast One grapefruit Two poached eggs (or fried in a non-stick pan) Two slices whole-grain toast with one pat of butter each One cup low-fat milk One cup of black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: Approximately 555 calories with 27 grams protein, 63 grams carbohydrates, and 23 grams fat) Snack One banana One cup plain yogurt with two tablespoons honey Glass of water (Macronutrients: 360 calories, 14 grams protein, 78 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat) Lunch Chicken breast (6-ounce portion), baked or roasted (not breaded or fried) Large garden salad with tomato and onion with one cup croutons, topped with one tablespoon oil and vinegar (or salad dressing) Glass of water (Macronutrients: 425 calories, 44 grams protein, 37 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams fat) Snack One cup carrot slices Three tablespoons hummus One-half piece of pita bread Glass of water or herbal tea (Macronutrients: 157 calories, 6 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fat) Dinner One cup steamed broccoli One cup of brown rice Halibut (four-ounce portion) Small garden salad with one cup spinach leaves, tomato, and onion topped with two tablespoons oil and vinegar or salad dressing One glass white wine (regular or dealcoholized) Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 646 calories, 42 grams protein, 77 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fat) Snack One cup blueberries Two tablespoons whipped cream (the real stuff—whip your own or buy in a can) Glass of water (Macronutrients: Approximately 100 calories, 1 gram protein, 22 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fat) Day 2 If you eat this whole menu, you get about 2,150 calories, with 51% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 21% from fat, and 28% from protein. The meal plan also has 30 grams of fiber. Breakfast One whole-wheat English muffin with two tablespoons peanut butter One orange Large glass (12 ounces) non-fat milk One cup of black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 521 calories with 27 grams protein, 69 grams carbohydrates, and 18 grams fat) Snack Two oatmeal cookies with raisins Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 130 calories, 2 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat) Lunch A turkey sandwich (six ounces of turkey breast meat, large tomato slice, green lettuce and mustard on two slices of whole wheat bread One cup low-sodium vegetable soup Glass of water (Macronutrients: 437 calories, 59 grams protein, 37 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams fat) Snack One cup (about 30) grapes Glass of water or herbal tea (Macronutrients: 60 calories, 0.6 grams protein, 12 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fat) Dinner Five-ounce sirloin steak One cup mashed potatoes One cup cooked spinach One cup green beans One glass beer (regular, lite or non-alcohol) Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 671 calories, 44 grams protein, 63 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams fat) Snack Two slices whole wheat bread with two tablespoons jam (any variety of fruit) One cup non-fat milk Glass of water (Macronutrients: Approximately 337 calories, 14 grams protein, 66 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat) Day 3 Today's meal has about 2,260 calories, with 55% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 20% from fat, and 25% from protein. It also has 50 grams of fiber. Breakfast One medium bran muffin One serving turkey breakfast sausage One orange One cup non-fat milk One cup black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 543 calories with 26 grams protein, 84 grams carbohydrates, and 15 grams fat) Snack One fresh pear One cup of flavored soy milk Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 171 calories, 6 grams protein, 34 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fat) Lunch Low sodium chicken noodle soup with six saltine crackers One medium apple Water (Macronutrients: 329 calories, 8 grams protein, 38 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams fat) Snack One apple One slice Swiss cheese Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 151 calories, 5 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams fat) Dinner 8-ounce serving of turkey breast meat One cup baked beans One cup cooked carrots One cup cooked kale One glass of wine (Macronutrients: 784 calories, 84 grams protein, 76 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat) Snack One cup of frozen yogurt One cup fresh raspberries (Macronutrients: Approximately 285 calories, 7 grams protein, 52 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams fat) Day 4 By the end of today, you'll consume about 2,230 calories, with 54% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 24% from fat, and 22% from protein. You'll also get about 27 grams of fiber. Breakfast One cup whole wheat flakes with one cup non-fat milk and one teaspoon sugar One banana One slice whole-grain toast with one tablespoon peanut butter One cup of black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 557 calories with 18 grams protein, 102 grams carbohydrates, and 12 grams fat) Snack One cup grapes and one tangerine Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 106 calories, 1 gram protein, 27 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat) Lunch Tuna wrap with one wheat flour tortilla, one-half can water-packed tuna (drained), one tablespoon mayonnaise, lettuce, and sliced tomato One sliced avocado One cup non-fat milk (Macronutrients: 419 calories, 27 grams protein, 37 grams carbohydrates, 19 grams fat) Snack One cup cottage cheese (1-percent fat) One fresh pineapple slice Four graham crackers Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 323 calories, 29 grams protein, 38 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fat) Dinner One serving lasagna Small garden salad with tomatoes and onions topped with one tablespoon salad dressing One cup non-fat milk (Macronutrients: 585 calories, 34 grams protein, 61 grams carbohydrates, 23 grams fat) Snack One apple One cup non-fat milk (Macronutrients: Approximately 158 calories, 9 grams protein, 31 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat) Day 5 This delicious meal plan includes three meals and three snacks and has approximately 2,250 calories, with 53% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 25% from fat, and 21% from protein. And lots of fiber—over 40 grams. Breakfast One piece of French toast with one tablespoon maple syrup One scrambled or poached egg One serving turkey bacon One cup orange juice One cup black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 449 calories with 16 grams protein, 57 grams carbohydrates, and 18 grams fat) Snack One cup sliced carrots One cup cauliflower pieces Two tablespoons ranch dressing Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 223 calories, 4 grams protein, 18 grams carbohydrates, 16 grams fat) Lunch Veggie burger on a whole grain bun One cup northern (or other dry) beans One cup non-fat milk (Macronutrients: 542 calories, 38 grams protein, 85 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fat) Snack One apple One pita with two tablespoons hummus Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 202 calories, 5 grams protein, 41 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fat) Dinner One trout filet One cup green beans One cup brown rice One small garden salad with two tablespoons salad dressing One glass of beer Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 634 calories, 27 grams protein, 78 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams fat) Snack One cup cottage cheese One fresh peach (Macronutrients: Approximately 201 calories, 29 grams protein, 16 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fat) Day 6 Today's meals and snacks have about 2,200 calories, with 55% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 19% from fat, and 26% from protein. You'll also get about 31 grams fiber. Breakfast One cup corn flakes with two teaspoons sugar and one cup non-fat milk One banana One hard-boiled egg One cup black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 401 calories with 18 grams protein, 72 grams carbohydrates, and 6 grams fat) Snack One cup plain yogurt with one tablespoon honey, one-half cup blueberries, and one tablespoon almonds Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 302 calories, 15 grams protein, 46 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fat) Lunch One cup whole wheat pasta with one-half cup red pasta sauce Medium garden salad with tomatoes and onions and two tablespoons salad dressing Glass of water (Macronutrients: 413 calories, 11 grams protein, 67 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams fat) Snack One and one-half cup cottage cheese One fresh peach Glass of water (Macronutrients: 303 calories, 43 grams protein, 23 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fat) Dinner Four and one-half ounce serving of pork loin Small garden salad with tomatoes and onions topped with two tablespoons oil and vinegar (or salad dressing) One small baked sweet potato One cup asparagus One glass wine (regular or dealcoholized) Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 500 calories, 46 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrates, 10 grams fat) Snack Five graham crackers One cup non-fat milk One cup strawberries (Macronutrients: Approximately 279 calories, 10 grams protein, 50 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat) Day 7 Today's menu contains about 2,200 calories, with 54% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 22% from fat, and 24% from protein. There are also 46 grams of fiber. Breakfast One cup cooked oatmeal with one-half cup blueberries, one-half cup non-fat milk, and one tablespoon almond slivers Two slices turkey bacon One cup non-fat milk to drink One cup black coffee or herbal tea (Macronutrients: approximately 442 calories with 26 grams protein, 59 grams carbohydrates, and 14 grams fat) Snack One cup plain yogurt with one tablespoon honey, one-half cup strawberries, and two tablespoons almond slivers Glass of water, hot tea, or black coffee (Macronutrients: 343 calories, 17 grams protein, 41 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams fat) Lunch Six-ounce baked chicken breast Large garden salad with tomatoes and onions and two tablespoons salad dressing One baked sweet potato One whole-wheat dinner roll. Glass of water (Macronutrients: 498 calories, 47 grams protein, 63 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams fat) Snack One cup raw broccoli florets One cup raw sliced carrot Two tablespoons veggie dip or salad dressing One fresh peach Glass of water (Macronutrients: 112 calories, 3 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat) Dinner 3-ounce serving of baked or grilled salmon One-half cup black beans One cup Swiss chard One cup brown rice One whole wheat dinner roll with a pat of butter Sparkling water with lemon or lime slice (Macronutrients: 671 calories, 38 grams protein, 91 grams carbohydrates, 19 grams fat) Snack One Orange (Macronutrients: Approximately 62 calories, 1 gram protein, 15 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fat) A Word From Verywell Planning healthy meals isn't difficult but if you're not used to it, the planning can take a little practice. The examples we provided should give you a great start. Don't feel discouraged if you don't stick to the plan exactly as outlined—it's OK to make variations that fit your lifestyle and needs. Just do your best to incorporate healthy choices into your day—vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, beans and legumes, and whole grains are always smart bets. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015.