What does a 1200 calorie diet look like?
Losing weight is about calories in versus calories out. To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn each day through exercise and general living. How much you need to eat each day varies based on your height, weight and activity level. (Find out how many calories you should be eating each day for weight loss by using this simple formula: [Your weight x 12] – 500 = Your daily calorie goal.) More advanced equations are available. But most people will lose weight on a 1,200- calorie diet, which is also the lowest you really can go calorie-wise each day while still getting all the nutrients you need. So what does a 1,200-calorie day look like?
Breakfast
Aim for 250 to 300 calories. Think about getting some dairy and fruit at breakfast—the protein from the dairy and fiber in the fruit will keep you feeling full longer.
Lunch
Aim for 300 to 350 calories. Lunch is a great time to get in healthy, fiber-filled, low-calorie vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Try this Mediterranean Plate: assemble a 4-inch whole-wheat pita bread, 1 ounce of feta cheese, a cup of grape tomatoes, 6 Kalamata olives, 2 tablespoons hummus and a cup of raw spinach with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice drizzled on top. That’s 346 calories.
Dinner
Aim for 400 to 500 calories. Serve this quick chicken stir-fry recipe with 1/2 cup brown rice. The whole meal delivers 430 calories.
Snacks
Aim for 50 to 100 calories. Fill the rest of your calorie allotment with 1 to 2 snacks. To round out this day, have a small apple as your morning snack and in the afternoon 1/2 cup of raw sugar snap peas with a wedge of light Laughing Cow cheese.
Remember a healthy diet should always be in addition to exercise for a complete fit living lifestyle. The more you exercise the more calories you burn. You can adjust your calorie intake depending on the amount of calories you burn during exercise. Remember to make sure you are getting enough food and nutrients to promote a healthy body and recovery from exercise. Starving yourself will only provide temporary weight loss and can cause other harmful side effects. Lose weight and get healthy the right way….Exercise and controlled eating habits!
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