Dietary composition matters less than total calorie reduction, though protein intake (1.21.6 g per kg body weight) helps preserve muscle during weight loss
A.WatsonG
doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-076410 14
Proteins Eggs (2 dozen) Chicken breast (2 lbs) Ground turkey, 93% lean (1.5 lbs) Salmon fillet (5 oz) Cod fillet (6 oz) Shrimp (5 oz) Canned tuna in water (1 can, 5 oz) Deli turkey (12 oz) Turkey sausage links (1 package) Tofu, extra firm (8 oz block) - if using Greek yogurt, plain 2% (large container, 32 oz) Cottage cheese (16 oz) Reduced-fat cheddar cheese (8 oz) Feta cheese (4 oz) String cheese (1 package) Protein powder (whey or plant-based, ~2 lbs) Vegetables Spinach (2 bags or large container) Mixed salad greens (2 containers) Romaine lettuce (2 heads) Mushrooms (8 oz) Bell peppers (4-5 mixed colors) Cherry tomatoes (2 pints) Cucumber (3) Zucchini (4) Broccoli (2 crowns) Green beans (1 lb) Asparagus (1 bunch) Brussels sprouts (1 lb) Cauliflower (2 heads - for rice and mash) Carrots (1 lb) Celery (1 bunch) Red onion (2) Garlic (1 bulb) Spaghetti squash (1 medium) Fruits Blueberries (1 pint) Strawberries (1 pint) Mixed berries, frozen (1 bag) Bananas (4-5) Apples (3-4) Peaches (2 fresh or 1 can in juice) Grapes (1 small bunch) Lemons (4) Grains & Starches Oats, old-fashioned (1 container) Quinoa (1 lb) Brown rice (1 lb) Whole wheat bread (1 loaf) Whole grain English muffins (1 package) Whole wheat tortillas (1 package) Sweet potatoes (2 medium) Black beans, canned (1 can) Chickpeas, canned (2 cans) Pantry Staples Olive oil Balsamic vinegar Low-sodium soy sauce Low-sodium teriyaki sauce Marinara sauce (2 jars, no added sugar) Hummus (8 oz container) Natural peanut butter Natural almond butter Almonds (raw, 8 oz) Walnuts (4 oz) Chia seeds Granola (low-sugar) Dried cranberries (small bag) Light mayo Mustard Salsa Seasonings & Spices Salt and pepper Garlic powder Paprika Italian seasoning Cinnamon Dill Fresh herbs (parsley, basil - optional) Beverages Unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) Water (plenty!) Meal Prep Tips for Success Sunday Prep Session (1.5-2 hours): Cook proteins in bulk: Bake 1.5 lbs chicken breast (season simply with salt, pepper, garlic) Hard-boil 1 dozen eggs Brown 1 lb ground turkey with basic seasoning Portion into 4-6 oz servings, refrigerate or freeze Prep grains: Cook 2 cups quinoa (yields ~6 cups cooked) Cook 2 cups brown rice Portion into - cup servings Wash and chop vegetables: Wash all greens, spin dry, store in containers with paper towels Chop bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery - store in separate containers Cherry tomatoes - wash and store Pre-make some snacks: Hard-boiled eggs (already done!) Portion trail mix into small containers or bags Roast chickpeas for the week The Hybrid Approach (Even Easier): Can't face a full Sunday prep
