Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More Next
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More Next
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More Next
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See All Health Conditions A-Z

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See All News

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet is not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See All Fitness

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See All Mind & Body

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Weight Loss Chevron Right
  3. Lose 5 Pounds Fast! Choose Your Favorite Meals

Lose 5 Pounds Fast! Choose Your Favorite Meals

By Shaun A. Chavis
May 11, 2012
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images
Our plan is not only supereasy—it lets you pick what you want to eat, too! Choose one breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and two snacks every day from these tasty choices.
Start Slideshow

1 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pick what you eat!

Credit: Getty Images

Still carrying a few winter pounds? It’s not too late to lose them superfast, à la Hollywood’s A-list.

Our safe, no-hunger diet plan, developed specially for Health by Los Angeles–based nutritionist Jackie Keller, founder of NutriFit, is based on the advice she gives clients like Charlize Theron, Anna Paquin, and Susan Sarandon.

Use this mix-and-match 1,200-calorie plan for seven days, taking your pick of our meals and yummy snacks. Choose one breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and two snacks every day from these tasty choices.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Breakfast: Smoked Salmon and a Bagel

Credit: Istockphoto

(200 to 250 calories)

Smear half of a small (3-inch-diameter) bagel with 1 tablespoon fat-free cream cheese; top with 1 1/2 ounces smoked salmon, adding black pepper, herbs, sliced onion, and a squirt of fresh lemon juice, if you’d like. Enjoy with 1 small orange.

2 of 11

3 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Breakfast: Hearty Lean Eggs and Sausage

Credit: Getty Images

(200 to 250 calories)

Scramble 1/2 cup liquid egg whites (about 3 egg whites) in a skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray; remove from skillet, and top with 1/2 cup salsa. Cook 1 turkey sausage link. Serve eggs and sausage with 2 medium slices of melon.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Breakfast: Blueberry-and-Almond Oatmeal

Credit: Istockphoto

(200 to 250 calories)

Cook 1 package plain instant oatmeal according to the directions. Stir in 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed, 1 tablespoon chopped almonds, and 1/4 cup fresh blueberries. Drink 1/2 cup fat-free milk.

4 of 11

5 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lunch & Dinner: Large Grilled Chicken Salad

Credit: Istockphoto

Choose one of these meals for lunch and one for dinner every day.

(250 to 300 calories each)

Combine 3 ounces grilled chicken (that’s about the size of three of your fingers) with salad greens and as many of your favorite veggies (chopped tomato, carrot, onion, red bell pepper, cucumber) as you want; drizzle with 2 teaspoons low-fat salad dressing. Have 1/2 cup grapes.

5 of 11

6 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lunch & Dinner: Spicy Tuna Salsa Salad

Credit: Istockphoto

250-300 calories

Combine 1 (3-ounce) can albacore tuna in water, drained, with 1/4 cup fresh salsa (try regular, pineapple, or papaya). Serve tuna on top of 3 cups mixed baby greens and 1 cup each sliced cucumber and red bell pepper. Have 1 grapefruit, too.

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lunch & Dinner: Italian Grilled Pork Chop with Steamed Asparagus and Baked Potato

Credit: Istockphoto

(250-300 calories)

Grill or broil a 3-ounce pork chop until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°; top with 1 teaspoon tomato sauce. Serve pork chop with 1 cup steamed asparagus, drizzled with 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, and half of a small baked potato.

7 of 11

8 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lemon-and-Herb Salmon

Credit: Istockphoto

(250 to 300 calories)

Marinate a 3-ounce salmon fillet in 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 dill sprig, and 1 minced garlic clove for 30 minutes. Grill fish just until it turns opaque. Prepare 3/4 cup microwaveable brown rice. Steam 1 cup sliced zucchini. Garnish cooked fish and zucchini with additional 1 teaspoon chopped dill; serve with brown rice.

8 of 11

9 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lunch & Dinner: Grilled Steak

Credit: Istockphoto

(250 to 300 calories)

Combine 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, and 1 sliced garlic clove. Marinate a 3-ounce sirloin steak (or 3 ounces tofu) in the mixture at room temperature for 15 minutes. Microwave half of an ear of corn for 3 minutes or until tender. Grill steak until medium-well (or to the desired degree of doneness). Serve corn smeared with 1 teaspoon trans fat–free margarine, and 1 cup steamed green beans tossed with 1 minced garlic clove.

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lunch & Dinner: Mediterranean Chicken Wrap

Credit: Istockphoto

(250 to 300 calories each)

Fill 1 (6-inch) whole-wheat tortilla with 2 ounces chicken breast (you can use the skinless meat from a rotisserie chicken), 2 romaine lettuce leaves, 1/4 cup diced tomato, and 1 tablespoon diced onion. Drizzle chicken and vegetables with 2 teaspoons light Italian dressing; roll it up. Have 1/2 cup baby carrots on the side.

10 of 11

11 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Snacks

Credit: Getty Images

(100 to 150 calories each)

Choose two snacks a day to enjoy whenever you like.

1 cup edamame with sea salt
1 pear with 1 light string cheese
1 (6-inch) corn tortilla filled with 1/4 cup black bean dip
1/2 cup sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
3 cups plain popcorn
Mini–trail mix made of 2 tablespoons almonds and 3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 cup baby carrots with 2 tablespoons fat-free veggie cream cheese

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Shaun A. Chavis

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 11 Pick what you eat!
2 of 11 Breakfast: Smoked Salmon and a Bagel
3 of 11 Breakfast: Hearty Lean Eggs and Sausage
4 of 11 Breakfast: Blueberry-and-Almond Oatmeal
5 of 11 Lunch & Dinner: Large Grilled Chicken Salad
6 of 11 Lunch & Dinner: Spicy Tuna Salsa Salad
7 of 11 Lunch & Dinner: Italian Grilled Pork Chop with Steamed Asparagus and Baked Potato
8 of 11 Lemon-and-Herb Salmon
9 of 11 Lunch & Dinner: Grilled Steak
10 of 11 Lunch & Dinner: Mediterranean Chicken Wrap
11 of 11 Snacks

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Health.com

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact us
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

View image

Lose 5 Pounds Fast! Choose Your Favorite Meals
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.