Part of slimming down involves a simple, sensible exercise and eating plan. Here's a week-long menu for our Lose 20 Pounds Fast Diet program: Over the next 90 days you should aim to consume 1,200 calories a day plus calorie-free beverages as desired, and take a multivitamin and a 400-milligram calcium supplement daily.
Day 1
Breakfast:
- 3/4 cup bran flakes, 1 banana, 1 cup fat-free milk
Lunch:
- Sandwich: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 3 ounces turkey breast, 1/2 roasted pepper, 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce
- 1 stick part-skim mozzarella string cheese
- 2 kiwifruits
Dinner:
- 4 ounces broiled flounder or sole
- 2 sliced plum tomatoes sprinkled with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, broiled until just golden
- 1 cup cooked couscous
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1 fat-free pudding cup
Day 2
Breakfast:
- Smoothie: Blend 1 cup frozen berries, 1/2 banana, and 8 ounces fat-free milk.
- 1/2 English muffin spread with 1 teaspoon light margarine
Lunch:
- 1 cup vegetarian vegetable soup
- 1 veggie burger in a mini whole wheat pita with lettuce and salsa
- 6 ounces light yogurt
- 15 grapes
Dinner:
- BBQ chicken: Brush 4 ounces boneless, skinless breast with barbecue sauce and grill.
- 1/2 cup vegetarian baked beans
- 3 small boiled red potatoes topped with 1 teaspoon light margarine and a pinch of dill
Day 3
Breakfast:
- Oatmeal: In the microwave, cook 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats with 3/4 cup fat-free milk; 1/2 apple, chopped; 1 teaspoon honey; and a pinch of cinnamon
Lunch:
- Chicken salad: Toss 4 ounces shredded skinless roast chicken breast with 1/4 cup sliced red grapes, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream. Serve over lettuce.
- 1 banana
Dinner:
- 4 ounces steamed shrimp
- 1 baked potato topped with 3 tablespoons salsa and 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream
- 3 cups spinach, steamed
- 1 low-fat frozen fudge bar
Day 4:
Breakfast:
- 1/2 toasted English muffin topped with 1/2 small apple, sliced, and 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat cheese, any type. Microwave 30 seconds on High.
- 6 ounces light yogurt sprinkled with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
Lunch:
- 1 cup tomato soup
- Sandwich: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 3 ounces thinly sliced roast beef, 1 teaspoon horseradish, mustard, tomato slices, lettuce
- 1 cup raw veggies
- 1 pear
Dinner:
- 3 ounces poached salmon
- Slaw: Toss 1 1/4 cups coleslaw mix and 2 sliced green onions with 2 tablespoons fat-free dressing (no more than 30 calories per 2 tablespoons)
- 3/4 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice
Day 5
Breakfast:
- 1 cup Cheerios, 1/2 cup berries, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, 8 ounces fat-free milk
Lunch:
- Quesadilla: Spread 1/4 cup fat-free refried beans over 1 small whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle on 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat cheese. Top with salsa and another tortilla; microwave 45 seconds on High.
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup mandarin orange sections
- Cucumber spears
Dinner:
- 3 ounces roasted pork tenderloin
- 1 cup baked acorn squash, mashed with a pinch of cinnamon
- 2 to 3 cups salad greens with 2 tablespoons fat-free dressing
- 1/2 cup vanilla fat-free frozen yogurt topped with 1 cup berries
Day 6
Breakfast:
- 1 toasted frozen waffle, spread with 1 tablespoon peanut butter and topped with 1/2 sliced banana
- 8 ounces fat-free milk
Lunch:
- Tuna pita: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 2 ounces water-packed light tuna, 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise, mustard, and cucumber and onion slices
- 10 baby carrots
- 6 ounces light yogurt mixed with 1/2 banana
Dinner:
- Jambalaya: Combine 3/4 cup cooked brown rice; 1/2 cup corn; 2 ounces cooked turkey sausage, sliced; 1/3 cup salsa; and 1/4 cup canned kidney beans. Heat through.
- 3 cups spinach, steamed
- 1 medium apple
Day 7
Breakfast:
- 1/2 toasted English muffin layered with 1 ounce reduced-fat cheese, sliced; 1 tomato slice; 1/2 cup steamed spinach, drained; and 1 poached egg
- 1 grapefruit
Lunch:
- Black bean salad: Toss 1/2 cup canned black beans, 1/2 cup mandarin orange sections, and chopped red bell peppers, red onion, and scallions with 1 teaspoon vinegar. Serve over salad greens.
- 1 mini whole wheat pita
- 1 pear
Dinner:
- 3 ounces broiled or grilled flank steak
- 1 baked sweet potato with 1 teaspoon light margarine
- 1 cup steamed zucchini
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice.
