How often do you find yourself stuck in planning an entire weight loss meal plan for the week without having an actual idea about it? A lot of times, we reckon.
Now, how many times do you plan or prepare your weekly meals in advance to facilitate the whole meal plan in the right manner?
Well, that’s where things can get much easier while you get along with any weight loss routine.
So, we can say that this 1200 calorie meal plan is also not an exception and doing the 1200 calorie meal prep in advance can save you a lot of effort and time.
What is a 1200 calorie meal plan?
During the 1200 calorie meal plan, you have to limit your daily calorie intake to 1200 calories while getting all the right nutrition to your body.
You can bring food items high in nutrition and low in calories. Also, the focus is on consuming as much lean meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy as possible.
Why is ‘1200 calorie meal prep required in advance?
No matter what fitness routine you follow, if you are not keeping track of your diet, all the efforts can go in vain within no time.
Not everyone has the time to prepare those special meals daily due to their busy schedules.
Hence, doing the 1200 calorie meal prep in advance (Sunday would be the right day due to the week off) can get a lot of stress away from your head.
People who don’t have an off on Sunday can try 1200 calorie meal prep on their weekly offs to stay prepared for the rest of the week.
How to go about with weekly 1200 calories meal prep?
Step 1.
Try to go with the easy-to-prepare recipes like baked omelet muffins and store them as per the serving requirements of your 1200 calorie meal plan.
Pack them in air-tight containers to easily have them on days 1,4, 6, and 7.
Step 2.
Prepare these 3 recipes: Citrus lime vinaigrette, sautéed peppers and onions, and pan chicken thighs.
Besides that, cook 20 ounces of dry whole wheat rotini, making you cook 10 cups of pasta for the week.
Ensure keeping the same in airtight containers to go well with a taste for the rest of the week.
Step 3.
Once you finish the abovementioned recipes, prepare the slow-cooker pasta and Fagioli soup with the help of already prepared chicken thighs and pasta.
Make sure to store it in a large freezer-safe storage bag. This 1200 calorie meal prep would serve the 6th-day meal, so do remember to defrost them on the night of the 5th day.
Step 4.
You now need to prepare the spicy slaw balls with edamame and shrimp and once done, store them in the airtight meal prep containers.
Remember to store the dressing in a spate container for all the above-mentioned recipes.
Step 5.
Prepare 3 servings of apple-cinnamon overnight oats in advance, too, and store them in the airtight containers.
You are now ready to jumpstart with your 1200 calorie meal plan for the next week. Do ensure to drink enough water during every meal to keep digestion intact.
Sample weekly 1200 calorie meal plan
Day 1.
1200 Calorie Meal Prep – Omelet muffins
Breakfast- Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins (2) with Raspberries (2/3 cup)
Snack- Dried figs (4)
Lunch- 2 cups of Southwest Salad with Black Beans
Snack – 1 Clementine with unsalted roasted almonds (1 tbsp)
Dinner- 1 serving of Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole with mixed salad greens (2 cups) and Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette (2 tbsp)
Total calorie count for the day: 1203
Day 2.
Breakfast- 1 serving of Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats with almonds (2 oz)
Snack – Raspberries (1 cup) with 1 serving of low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Lunch- 1 serving of Spicy Slaw Bowls with shrimp and edamame
Snack- sliced cucumber seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper (1 cup)
Dinner- 1 serving of Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole with mixed salad greens (2 cups) and Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette(2 tbsp)
Total calories for the day: 1207
Day 3.
Breakfast- 1 serving of Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats with almonds (2 oz)
Snack- 1 Clementine
Lunch- 1 serving of Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp and edamame
Snack-dried figs (2)
Dinner-1 serving of One-Pot Greek Pasta
Total calories for the day: 1205
Day 4.
Breakfast- Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins (2) with Raspberries(2/3 cup)
Snack- steamed edamame pods(1/2 cup)
Lunch-1 serving of One-Pot Greek Pasta with sliced cucumber (1/2 cup), cherry tomatoes (1/2 cup)
Snack- 1 medium-sized apple
Dinner- 1 serving of Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers and onions and mixed salad greens (2 cups)
Total calories for the day: 1212
Day 5.
1200 Calorie Meal Prep – Cheese quesadillas
Breakfast- 1 serving of Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats with almonds (2 oz)
Snack –Blackberries (1/2 cup)
Lunch- 1 serving of Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp and edamame
Snack- 1 small-sized apple
Dinner- 1 serving of Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers and onions and mixed salad greens (2 cups)
Total calories for the day: 1210
Day 6.
Breakfast- Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins (2) with blackberries (2/3 cup)
Snack- 1 Clementine
Lunch- 1 serving of Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp and edamame
Snack-dried figs (3)
Dinner- Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup (2 cups)
Total calories for the day: 1210
Day 7.
Breakfast- Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins (2) with blackberries (1/2 cup)
Snack- 1 Clementine
Lunch- 2 cups of Southwest Salad with Black Beans
Snack- Unsalted roasted almonds (3 tbsp)
Dinner- Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup (2 cups)
Total calories for the day: 1202
Summing it up
1200 calorie meal prep is relatively easy; all you have to do is a bit of planning and execution right at the start of the week.
Once through, you can save yourself some good time you would otherwise spend on preparing all these meals in the middle of a busy schedule.
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