Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (2024)

If you love what's on your plate and it's easy to make, then sticking to your health and weight-loss goals is as simple as can be. We elaborated on this principle to create this 1,200-calorie easy meal-prep plan for weight loss using the simplest, most delicious recipes we have.

All of the recipes can be fully or partially prepped ahead on a Sunday to save you time and energy during the busy workweek. Plus, leftovers are key to keeping this week of meals simple. Print the shopping list, make time to do the prep on Sunday and get ready to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds this week.

When healthy eating is as simple as we made it in this plan, successful and sustainable weight loss becomes a reality. Looking for a different calorie level? See this same plan at a higher calorie level: 1,500-Calorie Meal Prep Plan.

Meal Prep for Weight Loss: 8 Ways It Will Make You More Successful

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How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

  1. Make the Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins. Pack up individual servings (2 egg muffins) in airtight containers so they're ready to grab and go on Days 1, 4, 6 and 7.
  2. Prep these three recipes—Meal-Prep Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs, , and Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette—and cook 20 ounces dry whole-wheat rotini (to make 10 cups cooked pasta total). Store everything separately in large meal-prep containers. You'll use these ingredients in different recipes throughout the week, like the Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole, the , the and the Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup.
  3. Prepare the Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Freezer Pack with your prepped chicken and pasta. Store in a large freezer-safe storage bag and freeze. Remember to defrost the pack overnight on Day 5 so it's ready to go in the slow cooker in the morning on Day 6.
  4. Prep the and store them in airtight meal-prep containers. Don't miss the make-ahead note at the bottom of the recipe for storage tips, like keeping the dressing separate in a smaller meal-prep container and waiting to defrost the shrimp.
  5. Make three servings of Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats and store them in separate containers. This recipe calls for almond milk, but any milk will do.

Meal Prep Recipes to Help You Lose Weight

Day 1

Breakfast (254 calories)

  • 2 Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
  • 2/3 cup fresh raspberries

A.M. Snack (84 calories)

  • 4 dried figs

Lunch (283 calories)

Southwest Salad with Black Beans:

  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped red onion
  • 1/3 cup canned low-sodium black beans, rinsed
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Meal-Prep Tip: Freeze 1/2 cup black beans to have for lunch on Day 7. Any remaining beans can be frozen for up to 6 months.

P.M. Snack (138 calories)

  • 1 clementine
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted roasted almonds

Dinner (449 calories)

  • 1 serving Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,207 calories, 56 g protein, 125 g carbohydrate, 36 g fiber, 63 g fat, 1,515 mg sodium.

Day 2

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (2)

Breakfast (267 calories)

  • 1 serving Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats
  • Top with 1 Tbsp. almonds, pecans or other nuts of your choice

A.M. Snack (117 calories)

  • 2/3 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh raspberries

Lunch (364 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (16 calories)

  • 1 cup sliced cucumber seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper

Dinner (449 calories)

  • 1 serving Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,213 calories, 74 g protein, 119 g carbohydrate, 30 g fiber, 53 g fat, 1,749 mg sodium.

Day 3

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (3)

Breakfast (267 calories)

  • 1 serving Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats
  • Top with 1 Tbsp. almonds, pecans or other nuts of your choice

A.M. Snack (35 calories)

  • 1 clementine

Lunch (364 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (63 calories)

  • 3 dried figs

Dinner (487 calories)

  • 1 serving

Daily Totals: 1,216 calories, 60 g protein, 147 g carbohydrate, 29 g fiber, 48 g fat, 1,161 mg sodium.

Day 4

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (4)

Breakfast (259 calories)

  • 2 Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
  • 3/4 cup fresh raspberries

A.M. Snack (100 calories)

  • 1/2 cup steamed edamame pods seasoned with coarse salt to taste (1/8 tsp.)

Lunch (298 calories)

  • 1 cup
  • 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Toss cucumbers and tomatoes together with vinaigrette.

P.M. Snack (95 calories)

  • 1 medium apple

Dinner (469 calories)

  • 1 serving
  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,221 calories, 56 g protein, 122 g carbohydrate, 28 g fiber, 60 g fat, 2,119 mg sodium.

Day 5

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (5)

Breakfast (267 calories)

  • 1 serving Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats
  • Top with 1 Tbsp. almonds, pecans or other nuts of your choice

A.M. Snack (31 calories)

  • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries

Lunch (364 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (77 calories)

  • 1 small apple

Dinner (469 calories)

  • 1 serving
  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Meal-Prep Tip: Defrost the Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Freezer Pack overnight so it's ready to go in the slow cooker in the morning on Day 6.

Daily Totals: 1,209 calories, 55 g protein, 127 g carbohydrate, 31 g fiber, 56 g fat, 1,545 mg sodium.

Day 6

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (6)

Breakfast (273 calories)

  • 2 Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries

A.M. Snack (35 calories)

  • 1 clementine

Lunch (364 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (63 calories)

  • 3 dried figs

Dinner (457 calories)

  • 2 cups Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

Daily Totals: 1,192 calories, 81 g protein, 105 g carbohydrate, 29 g fiber, 53 g fat, 1,446 mg sodium.

Day 7

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (7)

Breakfast (242 calories)

  • 2 Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
  • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries

A.M. Snack (35 calories)

  • 1 clementine

Lunch (320 calories)

Southwest Salad with Black Beans

  • 2 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1/4 avocado, diced
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup canned low-sodium black beans, rinsed
  • 2 Tbsp. Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

P.M. Snack (155 calories)

  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted roasted almonds

Dinner (457 calories)

  • 2 cups Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

Daily Totals: 1,209 calories, 68 g protein, 106 g carbohydrate, 30 g fiber, 63 g fat, 1,319 mg sodium.

WATCH: How to Make Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins

Easy 1,200-Calorie Meal-Prep Plan for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

How much weight will I lose if eat 1200 calories a day? ›

If 1,200 calories a day is more than 500 calories lower than your weight-maintenance calories, you can expect to lose more than 1 to 2 pounds per week.

How long will it take to lose 30 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet? ›

For example, it would take one 3 to 6 months on average to lose 30 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet. It is based on CDC; one can lose 1 to 2 pounds per week on average.

Can you eat anything on a 1200 calorie diet and still lose weight? ›

The short answer is yes -you can lose weight in a healthy way on a 1200 calorie diet. When done right, the 1200 calorie diet can be an effective way to kick start your weight loss journey and give you the motivation you need to keep going as you begin to lose weight. However, navigating this diet can be tricky.

How long will it take to lose 15 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet? ›

Losing 15 pounds on a 1200-calorie diet typically takes 10-15 weeks, depending on individual metabolism and adherence to the plan. Introduction: Embarking on a weight loss journey can be both exciting and daunting, especially when setting specific goals like shedding 15 pounds.

How long will it take to lose 50 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet? ›

Although you'd need 50 weeks, or close to a year, to reach your goal of 50 pounds, 1 pound per week is a reasonable rate of weight loss. Organizations such as the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute suggest that 1 to 2 pounds per week is a reasonable rate of weight loss.

Why am I not losing weight on a 1200 calorie diet? ›

You might be struggling to lose weight on 1200 calories because your metabolism is slow. Losing weight can be a difficult task, especially if your metabolism is running slow. It's possible that with only a 1200 calorie diet, it might not be enough to shed off those extra pounds due to metabolism costs.

What should I eat to lose weight in 7 days? ›

Easy To Follow 7 Day GM Diet Plan & Menu To Transform Your Body: The Indian Version
  1. Day 1: Fruits.
  2. ‍Day 2: Vegetables.
  3. Day 3: Fruits and Vegetables.
  4. Day 4: Bananas and Milk.
  5. Day 5: Meat.
  6. Day 6: Meat & Vegetables.
  7. Day 7: Rice, Fruit and Vegetable Juice.
Mar 26, 2024

How to lose 5 pounds in a week? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

How many calories should I eat to lose 2 lb a week? ›

How many calories should I eat to lose weight? If you need to lose weight generally, a reduction of 500-600kcals per day will help you to achieve a 1-2lb/0.5-1kg weight loss per week.

What is an example of a 1200 calorie a day diet? ›

Traditional American Cuisine: 1,200 Calories
LunchEnergy (Kcal)Exchange for:
Whole-wheat bread, 2 med. slices139(2 Bread/Starch)
Lean roast beef, unseasoned, 2oz60(2 Lean Protein)
Lettuce, 1 leaf1
Tomato, 3 med. slices10(1 Vegetable)
5 more rows

How to speed up metabolism? ›

5 ways to boost metabolism
  1. Exercise more. Add interval training to your cardio routine and burn more calories in less time. ...
  2. Weight train. Add muscle mass to your body and you can burn more calories at rest. ...
  3. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. ...
  4. Eat fat-burning foods. ...
  5. Get a good night's sleep every night.

Can I have a cheat day on the 1200 calorie diet? ›

First, an important note: having a cheat day applies to those who rigorously and significantly limit their daily calorie intake, for example to 1,700; 1,500 or 1,200 kcal. If you don't have a structured diet or follow any specific food guidelines, a cheat day may negatively impact your overall eating patterns.

How much weight can I lose in 3 weeks eating 1200 calories a day? ›

As you lose weight, you may want to run the calorie-target calculation again, since your calorie needs will have changed. For healthy weight loss, we don't advise losing more than 2 pounds per week. If you calculate a daily calorie goal that's less than 1,200, set your calorie goal at 1,200 calories.

Is my body in starvation mode? ›

The starvation mode leaves you always hungry. Your diet does not provide enough food to satisfy you and increases your food desires. A 2013 study reported that persons who reduced their daily calorie intake by 40 percent for one day felt significantly hungrier the next day.

How to not be hungry on 1200 calories? ›

People on a 1,200-calorie diet need to eat nutrient-dense food to avoid feeling hungry and prevent malnourishment. Lean proteins tend to be very dense in nutrients and low in calories. By contrast, white carbohydrates, such as white bread, contain more calories and fewer nutrients.

How many calories a day to lose 20 pounds in a month? ›

To lose 20 pounds in 1 month, you'd need to create an average deficit of 2,500 calories per day for 4 weeks. This might be possible for larger men. Let's look at an example: A 20-year-old male who is sedentary, 74 inches (188 cm) tall, and 350 pounds (159 kg) has an estimated TDEE of 3,201 calories per day.

How many calories a day to lose 50 pounds? ›

Because a pound of fat is the equivalent of around 3,500 calories, to lose 50 lbs in six months requires burning off "an extra" 1000 calories/day (3,500 x 50 lbs ÷ by 182 days). I recommend a 500/500 plan of attack: consume 500 calories less and exercise to the equivalent of 500 calories burned.

How long will it take to lose 30 pounds? ›

How long does it take to lose 30 pounds? Assuming your goal is to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week, it'll take about 4 months to lose 30 pounds. To do so, eat lots of vegetables, high protein foods, and whole grains. Drink at least 8 oz of water daily, and make an exercise plan to focus on cardio and strength training.

How long will it take to lose 50 lbs? ›

The expert-recommended and well-known rule-of-thumb is that losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is a normal and healthy rate of weight loss. If you were wondering how long it would take to lose 50 pounds, then using this guideline it will probably take you between 6 months and a year to accomplish.

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