Why is there not a modification for 1,200 calories?

We no longer provide modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term health and well-being.

Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet Plan, Created by a Dietitian

We map out a full week of meat-free meals and snacks that your taste buds will love.

By

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Updated on August 7, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD

Whether you're following a completely vegan diet or just looking to change up your routine, it's always a good idea to focus more on minimally processed foods and eat more plants. In this healthy meal plan, we highlight plant-based foods, with an emphasis on beans, legumes, whole grains and nuts for protein instead of processed meat substitutes.

How We Create Meal Plans

Registered dietitians thoughtfully create EatingWell’s meal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see fit.

Why This Meal Plan Is Great for You

You don't have to worry about not getting enough protein without meat, as long as you plan your meals accordingly—which is what this meal plan does.

Plant-based whole foods also tend to be high in another important satiating nutrient: fiber. Aside from its many health benefits, fiber also helps keep you full, which means you'll feel more satisfied after eating.

We set this plan at 1,500 calories, which is the level at which most people will lose weight if that's your desire. This 1,500-calorie meal plan has modifications for 2,000 calories to support those with different calorie needs. While we previously included meal plans and modifications for 1,200 calories, we no longer do. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting your calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there not a modification for 1,200 calories?

We no longer provide modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term health and well-being.

What Is a Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet?

A whole-food plant-based diet is a plan that focuses mainly on foods that have been minimally processed—including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as canned beans. Plant-based is a broad term that includes any diet that tries to focus on more plant-based, non-animal-based options, like whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables. This can include people following vegan and vegetarian diets, as well as people who are trying to limit their meat intake to once or twice a week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 87% of Americans don't hit their vegetable servings each day, so no matter where you are on the eating spectrum, it's a good idea to focus on eating more plants.

Benefits of a Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet

There are a ton of benefits to eating more plants. Cutting back on meat and eating more plant-based foods may help lessen our environmental impact—plus, we can give back to our local farmers and community by participating in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. A CSA is also a fun way to eat seasonally and try new produce.

Of course, there are health benefits too. People who eat a plant-based diet tend to have a higher intake of fiber, an important nutrient found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Due to the reduced intake of meat and ultra-processed foods, plus more fiber, a whole-food plant-based diet has many health benefits, including lower body weight and a decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers.

Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet Food List

Here are a few of the most common foods you'll see in a whole-food plant-based meal plan:

Legumes: lentils, beans and chickpeas
Whole grains: quinoa, wheat, oats, farro and more
Seeds: chia, flax, sunflower and pumpkin seeds
Nuts and nut butters: look for natural nut butters with just two ingredients (the nut, like almond or peanut, plus salt)
Fruits and vegetables: frozen or fresh
Fats: like olives, olive oil and avocados

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

Make Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
Prepare Olive Orange Vinaigrette to have throughout the week.

Day 1

Breakfast (325 calories)

1/3 cup muesli
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup blackberries
2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

A.M. Snack (305 calories)

1 medium apple
2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Lunch (325 calories)

1 serving Green Salad with Edamame & Beets

P.M. Snack (116 calories)

15 dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Dinner (442 calories)

1 serving Roasted Chickpea Curry Bowl
2 cups mixed greens
1 serving Olive Orange Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 55 g protein, 151 g carbohydrates, 47 g fiber, 82 g fat, 1,159 mg sodium

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Strawberry-Mango-Banana Smoothie to breakfast, add 1 clementine to lunch and increase to 1/3 cup almonds at the P.M. snack.

Day 2

Breakfast (299 calories)

1 serving Strawberry-Mango-Banana Smoothie

A.M. Snack (200 calories)

1 cup edamame in pods

Lunch (360 calories)

1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

P.M. Snack (206 calories)

1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Dinner (415 calories)

1 serving Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Beans & Basil

Daily Totals: 1,480 calories, 53 g protein, 151 g carbohydrates, 47 g fiber, 81 g fat, 1,104 mg sodium

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 sliced sprouted wheat toast with 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, increase to 2 cups edamame at A.M. snack, add 1 medium orange to lunch and increase to 1/3 cup almonds at the P.M. snack.

Day 3

Apple and pecan stuffed butternut squash

Breakfast (299 calories)

1 serving Strawberry-Mango-Banana Smoothie

A.M. Snack (266 calories)

1 1/3 cups edamame in pods

Lunch (360 calories)

1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

P.M. Snack (241 calories)

1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
1 clementine

Dinner (343 calories)

1 serving Apple & Pecan Stuffed Butternut Squash
1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad

Daily Totals: 1,509 calories, 53 g protein, 163 g carbohydrates, 48 g fiber, 80 g fat, 999 mg sodium

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 sliced sprouted wheat toast with 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, increase to 2 cups edamame at A.M. snack, add 1 medium apple to lunch and increase to 1/3 cup almonds at the P.M. snack.