YOUR SEVEN-DAY MEAL PLANNER
Follow the three-meal plan below, adding two snacks a day from the list (totalling around 1,400 calories a day) and you could lose up to 5lb in one week. Although experts say we shouldn’t aim to lose more than 2lb a week on a longer-term diet, it’s normal to when you start a diet as your body shift more body adjust s to the lower calorie intake.
DAY 1
Breakfast: Smoothie made from 200ml semi-skimmed milk, handful of strawberries, half a banana.
Lunch: Tomato and spinach two-egg omelette, pot of yoghurt.
Dinner: Tuna kebabs: Chop one tuna steak into chunks and alternate on a skewer with nectarine and red pepper chunks. Grill and serve with steamed broccoli and asparagus plus a green salad.
DAY 2
Breakfast: One pancake made with semi-skimmed milk, one egg and wholemeal flour, cooked fat free in a non-stic pan. Top with 2 tbsp plain yoghurt and a handful of mixed berries.
Lunch: Grilled chicken salad: Mixed leaves chopped red pepper, cucumber slices, chopped red onion, five cherry tomatoes, grilled sliced chicken breast and 2 tbsp balsamic dressing. Follow with two plums.
Dinner: Mozzarella fish: cod fillet baked in foil with basil leaves, tomato and 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Serve with mixed steamed veg such as broccoli, spinach and asparagus.
DAY 3
Breakfast: Two poached eggs on wholemeal toast with two grilled tomatoes.
Lunch: Tuna salad wrap: wholemeal pitta, rocket leaves, one sliced tomato, 6oz can tuna, a little balsamic vinegar, plus one apple afterwards.
Dinner: Chilli con carne made with 200g lean mince, half a chopped onion, half a can of chopped tomatoes, half a can of kidney beans, served with sliced avocado, 1 tbsp low-fat yoghurt and steamed spinach.
DAY 4
Breakfast: Bircher cereal: made with one cup of semi-skimmed milk, two handfuls of oats, one grated apple, 1 tbsp chopped nuts and handful of mixed berries. Make it the night before if possible.
Lunch: Prawn linguine: two handfuls of wholemeal pasta, with 2 tbsp tomato and basil sauce, a handful of prawns, handful of fresh spinach and 1 tbsp grated Parmesan.
Dinner: Small lean grilled steak served with one roasted red pepper, one courgette and half a butternut squash – all baked for 20 minutes with a drizzle of olive oil.
DAY 5
Breakfast: Two slices wholemeal toast with 2 tbsp peanut butter, and an apple.
Lunch: Sushi: 3 California rolls, one cup of miso soup, plus two slices of fresh pineapple.
Dinner: Moroccan lemon chicken: Chicken breast baked in foil with a handful of chopped olives, one crushed garlic clove, lemon slices and a drizzle of olive oil. Served with oven-roasted red onion, sweet potato and red pepper, half a can of chickpeas. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp of harissa spices (optional).
DAY 6
Breakfast: Bowl of porridge made from oats and skimmed milk, sweetened with 1 tsp of honey and topped with a handful of fresh berries.
Lunch: Prawn sandwich with wholemeal bread, sliced tomato and salad leaves. Use 1 tbsp of plain yoghurt mixed with 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar instead of mayo. Plus one pear.
Dinner: Honey-glazed salmon fillet, with sauteed broccoli, cashew nuts and red pepper, plus a small green salad with balsamic dressing.
DAY 7
Breakfast: Two scrambled eggs, one slice of granary toast and 1 tbsp of smoked salmon pieces. Lunch: A pot of smoked mackerel pate with one wholemeal pitta, plus celery and carrot sticks to dip, plus mini 25g bar of dark chocolate. Dinner: Grilled lamb chop, served with half a can of any white beans drizzled with a little vinegar and olive oil plus steamed broccoli, peas, carrots and 1 tsp of fresh chopped mint.
SNACKS
Banana Small handful of mixed nuts Sliced apple with 1 tbsp peanut butter Small pot of sugar-free yoghurt Two oatcakes with 1⁄2 sliced avocado Two chopped carrots with 2tbsp houmous Handful of green olives