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Weight Loss Meal Plan

Sustainable fat loss requires a moderate calorie deficit (typically 300–500 calories below TDEE), high protein intake to preserve muscle, and food choices that promote fullness and adherence. This 1600-calorie plan targets approximately 140g of protein daily — the evidence-based level for minimising muscle loss during a deficit. The emphasis is on whole foods with a high satiety index: lean proteins, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that fill you up without using up your calorie budget on empty calories.

1600

kcal/day

35%

Protein

38%

Carbs

27%

Fat

P 35%C 50%F 15%

✅ Key Benefits

  • 500-calorie deficit structured for ~0.5 kg/week fat loss
  • High-protein meals prevent muscle loss during a deficit
  • High-satiety foods reduce hunger and improve adherence
  • Flexible across vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences
⚕️ This meal plan is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietary advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes.

Day 1

1480 kcal
Breakfast

Oatmeal with Berries & Walnuts

380 kcal · 11g P · 8 min

Rolled oats cooked with water, topped with mixed berries, a handful of walnuts, and a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients:

  • 80g rolled oats
  • 150g mixed berries
  • 20g walnuts
  • 1 tsp honey
  • water

Prepare overnight oats the night before to save time.

P: 11gC: 58gF: 13g
Lunch

Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl

520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min

Grilled chicken breast over brown rice with roasted broccoli and a tahini drizzle.

Ingredients:

  • 180g chicken breast
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 150g broccoli
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • lemon juice
  • garlic

Batch-cook chicken and rice on Sunday to prep lunches for the week.

P: 45gC: 50gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Carrot Sticks & Hummus

150 kcal · 5g P · 3 min

Fresh carrot sticks served with 3 tablespoons of hummus.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium carrots
  • 60g hummus
P: 5gC: 18gF: 6g
Dinner

Herb-Grilled Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

430 kcal · 44g P · 35 min

Lemon-herb marinated chicken breast with oven-roasted courgette, peppers, and cauliflower.

Ingredients:

  • 200g chicken breast
  • 100g courgette
  • 100g mixed peppers
  • 100g cauliflower
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • rosemary
  • lemon
P: 44gC: 22gF: 14g
Protein: 105gCarbs: 148gFat: 45g

Day 2

1500 kcal
Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast

390 kcal · 28g P · 10 min

3 eggs scrambled with spinach, served on 2 slices wholegrain toast with sliced tomato.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 slices wholegrain bread
  • 50g spinach
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Add a pinch of turmeric to eggs for anti-inflammatory benefit.

P: 28gC: 32gF: 15g
Lunch

Red Lentil Soup

380 kcal · 20g P · 30 min

Hearty red lentil soup with cumin, coriander, carrots, and a squeeze of lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 150g red lentils
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • vegetable stock
  • lemon
P: 20gC: 60gF: 5g
Afternoon Snack

Apple & Almonds

190 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium apple with 20g unsalted almonds.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium apple
  • 20g unsalted almonds
P: 4gC: 24gF: 10g
Dinner

Salmon with Sweet Potato & Broccoli

540 kcal · 40g P · 30 min

Pan-seared salmon fillet with oven-roasted sweet potato and steamed broccoli.

Ingredients:

  • 180g salmon fillet
  • 200g sweet potato
  • 150g broccoli
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • lemon
  • garlic
P: 40gC: 48gF: 17g
Protein: 92gCarbs: 164gFat: 47g

Day 3

1370 kcal
Breakfast

Greek Yogurt Parfait

340 kcal · 20g P · 5 min

Full-fat Greek yogurt layered with banana, oats, and a sprinkle of chia seeds.

Ingredients:

  • 200g plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 banana
  • 30g rolled oats
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds

Use 0% fat Greek yogurt to reduce calories by ~40.

P: 20gC: 45gF: 8g
Lunch

Tuna & Salad Wholegrain Wrap

420 kcal · 35g P · 7 min

Tinned tuna in spring water mixed with cucumber, sweetcorn, and light mayonnaise, wrapped in a wholegrain tortilla.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can tuna in spring water (145g)
  • 1 large wholegrain wrap
  • 1/4 cucumber
  • 30g sweetcorn
  • 1 tbsp light mayonnaise
  • mixed leaves
P: 35gC: 38gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Edamame with Sea Salt

120 kcal · 10g P · 5 min

Steamed edamame pods lightly salted.

Ingredients:

  • 150g frozen edamame pods
  • pinch sea salt
P: 10gC: 10gF: 5g
Dinner

Aubergine & Chickpea Curry

490 kcal · 16g P · 35 min

Hearty aubergine and chickpea curry in a tomato-coconut sauce, served with brown rice.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium aubergine
  • 240g canned chickpeas
  • 200ml light coconut milk
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • 150g brown rice
  • curry powder
P: 16gC: 72gF: 14g
Protein: 81gCarbs: 165gFat: 39g

Day 4

1540 kcal
Breakfast

Chia Overnight Oats

350 kcal · 10g P · 5 min (overnight)

Oats soaked overnight in almond milk with chia seeds, topped with sliced mango in the morning.

Ingredients:

  • 70g rolled oats
  • 250ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 100g mango
  • 1 tsp maple syrup

Prepare 5 jars on Sunday for the whole week.

P: 10gC: 55gF: 9g
Lunch

Quinoa & Roasted Vegetable Bowl

480 kcal · 16g P · 35 min

Fluffy quinoa with oven-roasted courgette, sweet potato, and red pepper, dressed with tahini.

Ingredients:

  • 150g cooked quinoa
  • 100g sweet potato
  • 80g courgette
  • 80g red pepper
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tsp olive oil
P: 16gC: 70gF: 14g
Afternoon Snack

Cottage Cheese & Pineapple

160 kcal · 18g P · 2 min

Low-fat cottage cheese with fresh pineapple chunks.

Ingredients:

  • 150g low-fat cottage cheese
  • 80g fresh pineapple
P: 18gC: 16gF: 2g
Dinner

Baked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice

550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min

Lemon-herb baked salmon fillet with steamed green beans and brown rice.

Ingredients:

  • 180g salmon fillet
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 100g green beans
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • dill or parsley
P: 42gC: 45gF: 18g
Protein: 86gCarbs: 186gFat: 43g

Day 5

1560 kcal
Breakfast

Banana Spinach Smoothie Bowl

360 kcal · 22g P · 7 min

Blended frozen banana and spinach with protein powder, topped with granola and pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients:

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 50g spinach
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 30g granola
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
  • 100ml unsweetened almond milk
P: 22gC: 50gF: 8g
Lunch

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

440 kcal · 18g P · 10 min

Chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta with lemon-olive oil dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 240g canned chickpeas
  • 100g cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1/4 red onion
  • 30g feta cheese
  • 15 kalamata olives
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • lemon
P: 18gC: 48gF: 18g
Afternoon Snack

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter

200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min

2 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter.

Ingredients:

  • 2 plain rice cakes
  • 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
P: 6gC: 26gF: 8g
Dinner

Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Pasta

560 kcal · 48g P · 35 min

Lean turkey meatballs in a rich tomato sauce served over wholegrain penne.

Ingredients:

  • 180g lean turkey mince
  • 80g wholegrain penne
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 egg
  • 1 clove garlic
  • mixed herbs
  • 10g parmesan
P: 48gC: 55gF: 12g
Protein: 94gCarbs: 179gFat: 46g

Day 6

1485 kcal
Breakfast

Moong Dal Chilla (Lentil Pancakes)

320 kcal · 18g P · 15 min (+ overnight soak)

Protein-rich savoury pancakes made from blended yellow moong dal, served with mint chutney.

Ingredients:

  • 120g yellow moong dal (soaked)
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 green chilli
  • fresh coriander
  • mint chutney to serve

Soak lentils overnight for a smoother batter.

P: 18gC: 46gF: 6g
Lunch

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

430 kcal · 42g P · 20 min

Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, parmesan shavings, and wholegrain croutons with light Caesar dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 160g chicken breast
  • 100g romaine lettuce
  • 20g parmesan
  • 30g wholegrain croutons
  • 2 tbsp light Caesar dressing
P: 42gC: 22gF: 18g
Afternoon Snack

Banana with Almond Butter

215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 4gC: 30gF: 9g
Dinner

Coconut Lentil Dahl with Flatbread

520 kcal · 22g P · 30 min

Red lentils simmered in coconut milk with spinach, cumin, and turmeric, served with one wholemeal flatbread.

Ingredients:

  • 150g red lentils
  • 200ml light coconut milk
  • 80g spinach
  • 1 onion
  • garlic
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 wholemeal pitta/flatbread
P: 22gC: 72gF: 14g
Protein: 86gCarbs: 170gFat: 47g

Day 7

1450 kcal
Breakfast

Wholegrain Cereal with Skimmed Milk

310 kcal · 13g P · 3 min

High-fibre bran flakes or Weetabix with cold skimmed milk and a small banana.

Ingredients:

  • 60g bran flakes or Weetabix
  • 200ml skimmed milk
  • 1 small banana
P: 13gC: 55gF: 3g
Lunch

Garlic Prawns with Quinoa & Greens

480 kcal · 38g P · 20 min

Juicy garlic-butter prawns on a bed of quinoa with wilted spinach and lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 200g raw king prawns
  • 150g cooked quinoa
  • 100g spinach
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • lemon
P: 38gC: 48gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Mixed Fruit & Nut Snack

180 kcal · 5g P · 1 min

A small handful of mixed nuts with dried apricots.

Ingredients:

  • 20g mixed unsalted nuts
  • 30g dried apricots
P: 5gC: 20gF: 10g
Dinner

Tofu & Vegetable Stir-Fry with Noodles

480 kcal · 22g P · 20 min

Firm tofu and mixed vegetables stir-fried in a ginger-soy sauce, served over rice noodles.

Ingredients:

  • 200g firm tofu
  • 80g rice noodles
  • 100g broccoli
  • 80g snap peas
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • fresh ginger
P: 22gC: 62gF: 14g
Protein: 78gCarbs: 185gFat: 39g

Who Is This Plan For?

Adults with a TDEE of 1900–2300 kcal seeking steady, sustainable fat loss of approximately 0.5 kg per week without extreme restriction.

🔄 Substitution Tips

  • Reduce dinner portion by 20% and add a larger side salad (leaves, cucumber, tomato) to maintain fullness.
  • If evening hunger is a problem, save the afternoon snack for after dinner instead.
  • Replace high-calorie dressings with lemon juice, vinegar, or a teaspoon of olive oil.
  • Black coffee (without milk or sugar) before meals may reduce appetite slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best diet for weight loss?
There is no single best diet. The largest meta-analyses, including DIETFITS (Gardner et al., 2018), show that any diet creating a consistent calorie deficit leads to fat loss, regardless of macronutrient distribution. The best diet is one you can sustain. Key evidence-based principles: adequate protein, whole foods, calorie awareness, and consistent physical activity.
How do I avoid weight regain after fat loss?
Weight regain is the biggest challenge in obesity management. Evidence supports: maintaining high protein intake (≥1.2g/kg/day) post-diet, continuing regular resistance training, monitoring weight weekly, and gradually increasing calories over 8–12 weeks during a 'reverse diet' rather than returning to old habits abruptly.
Should I cut carbs or fat to lose weight?
Neither is necessary. Both low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets produce equivalent long-term weight loss when calories and protein are matched (DIETFITS trial, 2018). The choice should be based on personal preference, adherence, and how each approach affects your hunger and energy levels.

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References

  1. 1. Gardner CD et al. (2018). Effect of low-fat vs low-carbohydrate diet on 12-month weight loss. JAMA, 319(7), 667–679.
  2. 2. Sumithran P & Proietto J. (2013). The defence of body weight: a physiological basis for weight regain after weight loss. Clin Sci, 124(4), 231–241.
  3. 3. Leidy HJ et al. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr, 101(6), 1320S–1329S.