Budget meal planning always comes across as a hectic task. Still, if you go with some mindful planning and execution, this 1600 calorie meal plan on a budget can do some great wonders for your health and fitness.
Now, before you jump on to the concept and mechanism of this diet plan, you must first understand various ways of saving money on your food expenses without compromising on the health aspect.
Points to ponder about while going for budget meal planning
Plan your weekly meals in advance
No matter what dietary pattern you are following, you must always plan the weekly meals. This way, you can save on those unwanted expenses and waste during the monthly grocery shopping for budget meals.
Pick the right and most healthy ingredients and food items while keeping their shelf life in mind. You can also prepare the meals in advance on the weekend and store them in air-tight containers for further usage.
Pick the items that are available at discounts
You may find certain food items in the grocery stores that are available at a discounted price.
Now, you don’t need to pick all of them and must only go with the ones required for your meal planning. Check out food options that go well with the price and your health.
Prepare a grocery list before shopping
Making a list of food items you want in your meals can help you avoid all those unwanted spending at the grocery store. By doing this, you can also stay clear of the required food items with their specified quantities during the shopping process.
Make the best use of the leftovers
Using the leftover food for the following day can save you some good time and effort for your meal preparations. Moreover, you can avoid food waste while going efficiently with your meal planning.
What is a 1600 calorie meal plan on a budget?
Keep track of your daily calorie intake ( limiting it to 1600 calories per day) while bringing all the healthy food items and ingredients on your meal platter.
Moreover, you also need to ensure that you fulfill your daily requirements of proteins, healthy carbs, and healthy fats while following this meal plan.
Additionally, create a perfect meal plan that includes all the lean meat options, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils, dairy, and eggs.
Weekly planner for 1600 calorie meal plan on a budget
Day 1.
Breakfast- 1 serving of scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes
Lunch- 1 serving of lemon pepper tuna with Greek yogurt and mixed greens
Dinner- 2 servings of roasted Brussels sprouts with spicy garlic broccoli
Day 2.
1600 calorie meal plan on a budget – Lemon chicken salad
Breakfast- 1 serving of pesto scrambled egg whites with Granola ( 2 oz)
Lunch- 2 servings of cucumber tuna salad with tomato and servings of red bell pepper with hummus
Dinner- 1 serving of lemon chicken salad with easy sautéed spinach
Day 3.
Breakfast- 1 serving of scrambled eggs with onion flakes and butter
Lunch- 2 servings of tuna mix tuna salad with a serving of cheese slices
Dinner – 2 servings of spicy chicken soup with steamed carrots
Day 4.
Breakfast- 1 serving of eggs, cheese, and mushroom omelet with 2 cups of strawberries
Lunch- 1 serving of cucumber avocado salad with banana and non-fat Greek yogurt
Dinner- 2 servings of pounded chicken with sour cream and parsley mashed potatoes
Day 5.
1600 calorie meal plan on a budget – Easy grilled chicken
Breakfast-2 servings of egg white omelet with whole-wheat toast
Lunch- 2 servings of avocado tuna salad with a serving of cheese slices
Dinner- 1 serving of easy grilled chicken with stewed tomato black beans
Day 6.
1600 calorie meal plan on a budget – fire-roasted tomatoes
Breakfast- 1 serving of sausage and egg white scramble with granola ( 1 oz)
Lunch- 2 servings of arugula salad with peanut butter and celery
Dinner- 2 servings of fire-roasted tomatoes with cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon juice
Day 7.
1600 calorie meal plan on a budget – Denver omelet
Breakfast- 1 serving of Denver omelet with a serving of whole-wheat toast
Lunch- 1 serving of cucumber tomato salad with tuna and 4 stalks of celery
Dinner- 1 serving of grilled chicken wrap with herb sauce.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1 serving of scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes | 1 serving of lemon pepper tuna with Greek yogurt and mixed greens | 2 servings of roasted Brussels sprouts with spicy garlic broccoli |
| Tuesday | 1 serving of pesto scrambled egg whites with Granola (2 oz) | 2 servings of cucumber tuna salad with tomato and servings of red bell pepper with hummus | 1 serving of lemon chicken salad with easy sautéed spinach |
| Wednesday | 1 serving of scrambled eggs with onion flakes and butter | 2 servings of tuna mix tuna salad with a serving of cheese slices | 2 servings of spicy chicken soup with steamed carrots |
| Thursday | 1 serving of eggs, cheese, and mushroom omelet with 2 cups of strawberries | 1 serving of cucumber avocado salad with banana and non-fat Greek yogurt | 2 servings of pounded chicken with sour cream and parsley mashed potatoes |
| Friday | 2 servings of egg white omelet with whole-wheat toast | 2 servings of avocado tuna salad with a serving of cheese slices | 1 serving of easy grilled chicken with stewed tomato black beans |
| Saturday | 1 serving of sausage and egg white scramble with granola (1 oz) | 2 servings of arugula salad with peanut butter and celery | 2 servings of fire-roasted tomatoes with cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon juice |
| Sunday | 1 serving of Denver omelet with a serving of whole-wheat toast | 1 serving of cucumber tomato salad with tuna and 4 stalks of celery | 1 serving of grilled chicken wrap with herb sauce |
Bottom-line for 1600 calorie meal plan on a budget
Good health doesn’t come at a cost and this 1600 calorie meal plan on a budget is a perfect example of the same notion.
All you need is some mindful planning and proper execution while preparing and organizing the desired food items.
Also, try to avoid all the processed and packaged food from your menu if you want to gain the best benefits out of this meal plan.
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