Try This Easy Meal Plan to Lose Up to 2 Pounds a Week

Try This Easy Meal Plan To Drop The Pounds While You're At Home

If you think that heart-healthy eating is all about what you shouldn't consume, think again. The latest research says that what you do eat is as important as what you don't. And one big "do" is produce. Colorful fruits and vegetables are jammed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Bonus: They help you stay slim. Follow this plan to load up on fruits and vegetables; pick any breakfast, lunch or dinner plus two snacks a day. You'll score an entire day's worth of produce—and potentially drop at least 1 or 2 pounds per week!

Breakfast

1. Egg, Hummus, and Spinach Sandwich: Spread 2 Tbsp hummus on 1 slice whole-wheat toast. Top with 1/4 cup baby spinach + 1 egg fried in 1 tsp olive oil. Drizzle with 1/4 tsp Sriracha or hot sauce. Eat with 1/2 grapefruit.

2. Mango Oatmeal: Cook 1/2 cup oats in 1/2 cup 1% milk + 1/2 cup water. Stir in a pinch ground ginger + 1 tsp honey. Top with 1/2 cup diced fresh mango + 2 tsp unsweetened coconut.

3. Breakfast Salad: Whisk together 1 Tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil + 1 tsp chopped fresh mint. Toss with 1/2 diced cucumber + 1 diced plum tomato + 1 diced green pepper + 1 Tbsp feta crumbles. Eat with a 4-in. whole-wheat pita + 6 oz orange juice.

4. Strawberry Almond Waffle: Top 1 toasted multigrain waffle (like Kashi) with 1 Tbsp almond butter + ⅓ cup sliced fresh strawberries + 1 tbsp sliced almonds. Eat with a 5.3-oz container nonfat vanilla Icelandic or Greek yogurt (like Siggi's or Chobani).

5. Roasted Pear: Spray 1 halved pear (cored) with nonstick cooking spray. Roast in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes. Whisk 1 pinch cinnamon into 1/2 cup nonfat ricotta. Spoon half the ricotta mixture over each pear half; top each with 2 tsp chopped pecans.

6. Kale Mini Quiches: Sauté 2 Tbsp chopped sweet onion in 1 tsp olive oil over medium-low heat for 3 minutes. Whisk together 1 egg + 2 egg whites. Add the onion + 1/2 cup baby kale + 1 Tbsp 1% milk + 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan. Spray two 1/2-cup ramekins (or muffin tins) with nonstick spray. Pour 1/2 egg mixture into each ramekin. Bake in a 375°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Eat with 1 cup grapes.

7. Raspberry-Banana Smoothie: In a blender, pur.e. cup low-fat plain kefir (or yogurt) + 1 cup frozen raspberries + 1/2 sliced banana + 2 tsp sunflower butter + 1 tsp honey for 2 minutes.

Lunch

8. Spinach-Mushroom Quesadilla: Sauté 1/2 cup each chopped sweet onion + sliced mushrooms in 1 tsp olive oil over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 clove finely chopped garlic + 1 cup baby spinach + 1/2 cup low-sodium canned black beans (rinsed); sauté for 2 minutes. Scatter on an 8-in. whole-wheat tortilla, top with 2 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese and fold in half. Cook in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, 3 minutes per side. Eat with 1 apple.

9. Power Lunch Plate: Arrange 1 sliced apple + 10 almonds + 15 baby carrots + 8 slices whole-grain melba toast + a 1-in. cube Swiss cheese on a plate.

10. Stuffed Sweet Potato: Toss together ⅓ cup low-sodium canned pinto beans (rinsed) + ⅓ cup thawed frozen corn + 1 sliced scallion + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil + 2 tsp lime juice + 1 tsp chopped cilantro + 1 pinch cumin. Serve over 1 baked sweet potato. Top with 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

11. Greek Pita Flatbread: Spray 1 large whole-wheat pita with olive oil cooking spray. Bake in a 375°F oven for 5 minutes. Toss together 5 halved grape tomatoes + 1 Tbsp chopped red onion + 2 chopped Kalamata olives + 2 Tbsp feta crumbles + 1 pinch oregano + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil. Spoon over pita. Eat with 2 dates.

12. Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich: Combine 5 oz water-packed tuna + 1/2 cup diced pineapple + 1/2 diced cucumber + 1 Tbsp chopped red onion + 1 Tbsp light canola oil mayonnaise. Layer tuna with 1/2 cup watercress on 1 slice wholewheat bread. Eat with 2 clementines.

13. Beet, Chicken, and Arugula Salad: Whisk together 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar + 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil + 1 tsp Dijon mustard. Toss with 3 cups arugula + 3 cooked (or canned) sliced beets + 2 Tbsp chopped celery + 3 oz sliced grilled skinless chicken breast + 1/2 cup canned low-sodium cannellini beans (rinsed).

14. Egg Salad-Avocado Wrap: Combine 1 chopped hardboiled egg + 2 chopped hard-boiled egg whites + 1/2 mashed avocado + 1 tsp lemon juice + 2 tsp chives. Spread on an 8-in. wholewheat tortilla. Top with romaine lettuce and roll into a wrap. Eat with 2 kiwis.

Dinner