7-Day 1200-Calorie Meal Plan

We’ve made sure you won’t feel deprived with these hearty lower-calorie breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Our meal plan comes in below 1200 calories, leaving you 300-400 calories for sides, snacks and drinks to balance out your day.

Continuing your weight-loss journey? Don’t miss these tasty and healthy dinner recipes.

Day 1 Breakfast: Carrot Cake Oatmeal

197 calories

This warm breakfast cereal made in the slow cooker is a great way to get your veggies in the morning and keep a healthy diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with ground walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Find healthy grab-and-go breakfast ideas here.

Day 1 Lunch: Chicken Tzatziki Cucumber Boats

312 calories

I’ve tended a garden for decades, and these colorful “boats” made from cucumbers hold my fresh tomatoes, peas and dill. It’s absolute garden greatness. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland

Find our favorite 300-calorie lunch ideas here.

Day 1 Dinner: Potato-Topped Ground Beef Skillet

313 calories

The depth of flavor in this recipe is amazing, and I never have leftovers when I take it to potlucks. I love recipes that I can cook and serve in the same skillet. If your butcher has chili grind beef, which is coarsely ground, go for that; it lends an extra-meaty texture. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

These 300-calorie dinners make it easy to stay on track!

Poached Eggs with Tarragon Asparagus

I adapted this recipe from a dish I had in Napa Valley. I decided to add toasted bread crumbs as a garnish. The result was a breakfast option that everyone loves. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

170 calories

I adapted this recipe from a dish I had in Napa Valley. I decided to add toasted bread crumbs as a garnish. The result was a breakfast option that everyone loves.—Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California.[/rms_recipe]

Southwest Chicken Barley Chowder

Mashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it's a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. —Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana

298 calories

Mashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it’s a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. —Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana[/rms_recipe]

Cheese Manicotti

Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and all these years later, he still enjoys it! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

340 calories

This is the first meal I cooked for my husband, and years later he still enjoys my manicotti recipe! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas[/rms_recipe]

Day 3 Breakfast: Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

217 calories

Quinoa has been around for a while, but I’m just now jumping on the quinoa breakfast bowl bandwagon. I’ve made it several times as a savory side or salad, but never as a warm breakfast cereal. I finally gave it a try last weekend and loved it! —Erica Schmidt, Kansas City, Kansas

Turkey & Apricot Wraps

For these wraps, I combined the traditional Southern appetizer of jam and cream cheese with the turkey, apple and Brie sandwiches we ate at my bridal luncheon. I like to sneak fresh spinach into recipes because it has such a mild flavor. —Kim Beavers, North August, South Carolina

312 calories

For these everyday wraps, I combined the traditional Southern appetizer of jam and cream cheese on crackers and the turkey, apple and brie sandwiches we ate at my bridal luncheon. I like to sneak fresh spinach into all sorts of recipes because it has such a mild flavor. —Kim Beavers, North August, South Carolina[/rms_recipe]

Day 3 Dinner: Spicy Sausage and Rice Skillet

285 calories

The spicy sausage in this quick skillet dish gives it a kick, and the sliced apples are a pleasant, tart surprise. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Whole Wheat Pecan Waffles

We bought a new waffle maker, and a recipe came along with it. We finally tried it, and after a few changes to suit our tastes, these delicious waffles were the result. —Sarah Morris, Joplin, Missouri

241 calories

We bought a new waffle iron, and along with it came a recipe. We finally decided to try it, and after a few changes we came up with these delicious waffles. —Sarah Morris, Joplin, Missouri[/rms_recipe]

Skinny Cobb Salad

This "skinny" version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and do all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida

324 calories

This “skinny” version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and do all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon Florida[/rms_recipe]

Lemon-Garlic Pork Chops

My son James created these zesty chops spiced with paprika and cayenne. He keeps the spice rub in a jar to use with chops or chicken. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico

233 calories

My son James created these zesty chops spiced with paprika and cayenne. He keeps the spice rub in a jar to use with chops or chicken. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico[/rms_recipe]

Calico Scrambled Eggs

When you're short on time and scrambling to get a meal on the table, this recipe is just what you need. There's a short ingredient list, cooking is kept to a minimum. and the green pepper and tomato makes it colorful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

188 calories

When you’re short on time and scrambling to get a meal on the table, this recipe is “eggs-actly” what you need. There’s a short ingredient list, and cooking is kept to a minimum. Plus, with green pepper and tomato, it’s colorful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen[/rms_recipe]

Chunky Sausage Lentil Soup

Lentils are an inexpensive but nutritious power food, and these days, a hot, filling and flavorful family meal at a great price is a real comfort. My husband just loves this soup and it freezes well. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey

314 calories

Lentils are an inexpensive but nutritious power food, and these days, a hot, filling and flavorful family meal at a great price is a real comfort. My husband just loves this soup and it freezes well. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey[/rms_recipe]

Fish Tacos with Guacamole

Fish tacos are my new favorite thing—lighter and healthier than beef tacos smothered in cheese. Try adding tomatoes, green onions and chopped jalapeno on top. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan

308 calories

Fish tacos are my new favorite thing—lighter and healthier than beef tacos smothered in cheese. Try adding tomatoes, green onions and chopped jalapeno on top. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan[/rms_recipe]

Day 6 Breakfast: Cinnamon Apple Pancakes

241 calories

My family loves these light and fluffy apple cinnamon pancakes. And best of all, they’re sweet enough to enjoy even without syrup. —Kim McConnell, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tuna and White Bean Lettuce Wraps

Here's a fabulous way to dress up ordinary tuna salad. This easy recipe makes a quick dinner or lunch at the office, and it's good for you. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin

279 calories

Say bye-bye to ho-hum tuna salad. Here’s a recipe we actually look forward to eating. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin[/rms_recipe]

Ginger Veggie Brown Rice Pasta

Once I discovered brown rice pasta, I never looked back. Tossed with ginger, bright veggies and rotisserie chicken, it tastes like a deconstructed egg roll! —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York

270 calories

Once I discovered brown rice pasta, I never looked back. Tossed with ginger, bright veggies and rotisserie chicken, it tastes like a deconstructed egg roll! —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York[/rms_recipe]

Goat Cheese & Ham Omelet

As a busy working mom, my breakfast needs to require minimal prep. I often combine the egg mixture beforehand and refrigerate it overnight. Then all I have to do in the morning is heat up my skillet. My favorite part is the goat cheese filling, which gets nice and creamy from the heat of the omelet. —Lynne Dieterle, Rochester Hills, Michigan

143 calories

As a busy working mom, my breakfast needs to require minimal prep. I often combine the egg mixture beforehand and refrigerate overnight. Then all I have to do in the morning is heat up my skillet. My favorite part is the goat cheese filling, which gets nice and creamy from the heat of the omelet. —Lynne Dieterle, Rochester Hills, Michigan[/rms_recipe]

Cashew Turkey Salad Sandwiches

One bite and you'll be hooked on this slightly sweet turkey salad sandwich. It's protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin

298 calories

One bite and you’ll be hooked on this slightly sweet sandwich. It’s protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin[/rms_recipe]

327 calories

One bite and you’ll be hooked on this slightly sweet sandwich. It’s protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin[/rms_recipe]

Next, check out our best low-calorie recipes from the past year.