What Does a 1,500-Calorie-Day Look Like?

Most people will lose weight on a daily diet of 1,500 calories, which is the total calorie count for all the food pictured here. If you want to be even more precise about cutting calories, this simple calculation will give you a daily calorie goal that can help you lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Calculate Your Calorie Goal

YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT X 12 = calories needed to maintain your weight

To lose 1 pound/week: Cut 500 calories/day
To lose 2 pounds/week: Cut 1,000 calories/day

Note: For healthy weight loss, we don't advise losing more than two pounds per week. If you calculate a daily calorie goal that's less than 1,200, set your calorie goal at 1,200 calories. Below that, it's hard to meet your nutrient needs—or feel satisfied enough to stick with a plan.

Breakfast

For breakfast, choose one of these 300- to 350-calorie breakfast options.
A sample breakfast:

Multi-Grain Waffles - 188 calories
Strawberries, sliced, ½ cup - 41 calories
Low-fat vanilla yogurt, ½ cup - 104 calories
TOTAL: 333 calories

Lunch

Aim to make lunch 325 to 400 calories. Try some of these options.
A sample lunch:

Sweet Potato-Peanut Bisque - 291 calories
Apple, medium - 95 calories
TOTAL: 386 calories

Dinner

Browse through these 500-calorie dinners, organized by Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Seafood, Fish, Vegetarian, Chicken, Beef, Pork and Lamb and 30-Minute Dinners, then pick from the suggested side dishes, desserts or drinks to round out your meal.

A sample dinner:

Tuna Steaks Provençal - 214 calories
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon-Horseradish Cream - 80 calories
Pearl barley, 1/2 cup - 97 calories
Baby Tiramisù - 107 calories
TOTAL: 507 calories

Snack

Add in a couple of healthy snacks. How about some of these options...

A sample snack:

Mediterranean Picnic Snack - 201 calories
TOTAL: 201 calories

Source Articles & image: www.eatingwell.com


Recommendation
Buy this Eatingwell Cookbook or Rachel Ray Magazine for your collection