Diet Meals for a Week

There are diets that focus on calories, the number and types of carbohydrates or take a more balanced or radical approach. Which diet will work best for you? Consider trying a diet a day for a week or for a week at a time and monitor the results. Evaluate not only weight loss but how you feel and your energy levels. It is important to find a diet that works and is healthy for you to achieve and maintain the weight you desire.

Monday: Low Calorie Diet

The 10-Minute Meals Diet is a low calorie diet. Meals are quick to prepare and allow for fast food dining. A simple breakfast begins the day with oatmeal, raisins, walnuts and milk. Lunch can either be a single slice of Thin N Crispy pizza and breadstick from Pizza Hut or Healthy Request soup with crackers and a banana. A 10-Minutes or Less option for dinner is Chicken Tacos. The tacos are filled with 5 ounces of chicken, reduced fat cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and hot sauce. (See Reference 1)

Tuesday: Mayo Clinic Diet --Low Calorie, Low Fat

The Mayo Clinic Diet is a two-phase plan that emphasizes healthy foods and breaking bad habits as well as adopting good ones. A sample meal for lunch includes a tuna salad sandwich using whole grain toast, low calorie mayonnaise and seasonings, 2 cups of carrots and pepper strips and a small apple. Water is the recommended drink of choice. (See Reference 2)

Wednesday: Atkins-High Protein, Low Carbohydrates

A sample menu for the Atkins diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Breakfast is bacon and eggs scrambled with cream. Lunch is a chicken salad made with 6 ounces of chicken, 2 cups of salad greens and an egg. Dinner is fish fillets with a small salad and a cup of broccoli. (See Reference 3)

Thursday: AHA Diet

The American Heart Association recommends taking in fewer calories than one expends, eating for nutrition, reducing calories and exercising more. This diet for breakfast suggests a one-egg omelet made with egg substitute and vegetables, half an English muffin and 6 ounces of low sodium vegetable juice. Lunch features a 3-ounce roast beef sandwich with a serving of fruit and fat-free milk. The dinner meal includes 3 ounces of chicken with a cup of cooked squash, cup of couscous and a whole wheat dinner roll. (See Reference 4)

Friday: Zone Diet

The Zone diet balances meals with 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fats. A sample breakfast includes low carbohydrate French toast, turkey bacon and an orange. A lunch suggestion is a stuffed pita pocket with ham, low fat cheese and sprouts. A sample dinner includes poached salmon, sauteed squash and zucchini, and blueberries. (See Reference 5)

Saturday: Prepackaged Meals

Prepackaged meals such as those from Nutrisystem offer meals with no counting calories, points or carbohydrates. Portions are controlled with small meals throughout the day. Meal choices include blueberry muffins or pancakes for breakfast, cheese tortellini for lunch and chicken pasta parmesan for dinner. (See Resource 2)

Sunday: Questionable Diets

Questionable diets either restrict or combine foods to flush the body of toxins or for quick weight loss. They are not considered healthy and are not recommended for long-term dieting. One example of this type of diet is the Cabbage Soup Diet. Meals include all the cabbage soup you can eat, milk and bananas. (See Resource 3)