Week 7 Meal Plan: Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Week Ahead
Welcome to Week 7 of our 7-week weight loss challenge! This week, we’re bringing you fresh, flavorful meals that are packed with lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats to keep you energized and on track with your goals. From the savory veggie scramble with avocado toast for breakfast to a satisfying sweet potato and black bean chili for dinner, these dishes will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, the regular rice will be a perfect alternative to brown rice for a more tender, quick-cooking grain.
Meal Timing (Intermittent Fasting: 10 AM to 6 PM)
Meal Timings:
- Lemon Water: Kickstart your day with a glass of fresh lemon water at 8:30 AM.
- Breakfast: 10:00 AM
- Lunch: 12:30 PM
- Snack: 3:00 PM
- Dinner: 5:30 PM
Water Reminder: Aim to drink 1 glass of water before or after each meal to stay hydrated and support your metabolism.
Week 7 Meal Breakdown
1. Breakfast: Veggie Scramble with Avocado Toast
Time: 10:00 AM
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
- 2 large Eggs (or egg substitute)
- 1/4 cup Bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 tbsp Onion (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Spinach (chopped)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 Avocado (sliced)
- 1 slice Whole wheat bread
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté onions, bell pepper, and spinach until softened.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs (or egg substitute) and pour them into the pan with the veggies. Scramble until cooked through.
- Toast the whole wheat bread and top it with sliced avocado, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Serve the scramble alongside the avocado toast. Enjoy a filling breakfast that will keep you going all morning!
2. Lunch Option 1: Chickpea and Spinach Curry with Rice
Time: 12:30 PM
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
- 1/2 cup Chickpeas (cooked or canned)
- 1/2 cup Spinach (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Onion (chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Tomato puree
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp Garam masala
- 1/4 tsp Red chili powder
- 1/2 cup Regular rice (cooked with extra water for a softer texture)
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onions and garlic until golden.
- Add the spices and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomato puree. Let it cook until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in chickpeas and spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts.
- Serve the curry with your cooked rice. This hearty, flavorful dish is a perfect balance of protein and vegetables!
3. Lunch Option 2: Grilled Chicken and Quinoa Salad
Time: 12:30 PM
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
- 150g Chicken breast (boneless)
- 1/2 cup Quinoa (cooked)
- 1/4 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup Cucumber (chopped)
- 1 tbsp Red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Grill the chicken breast until cooked through, then slice it into strips.
- In a bowl, combine quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Toss the ingredients with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Top the salad with grilled chicken strips and serve. This fresh salad is loaded with lean protein and refreshing vegetables!
4. Dinner Option 1: Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Grilled Shrimp
Time: 5:30 PM
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
- 1 medium Zucchini (spiralized into noodles)
- 100g Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tbsp Pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Parmesan (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté shrimp until they are cooked through.
- In another pan, sauté the zucchini noodles for 2-3 minutes, until tender.
- Toss the zucchini noodles with pesto sauce until well-coated.
- Serve the zucchini noodles with grilled shrimp on top and garnish with parmesan, if desired. This low-carb, high-protein meal is a delicious twist on traditional pasta!
5. Dinner Option 2: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Time: 5:30 PM
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
- 1 medium Sweet potato (diced)
- 1/2 cup Black beans (cooked or canned)
- 1/4 cup Onion (chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Tomato puree
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Chili powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup Water
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onions and garlic until softened.
- Add diced sweet potato, tomato puree, and spices, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in black beans and water, then simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. This cozy chili is perfect for a hearty dinner and packed with fiber and nutrients!
Snacks for the Week
- Fruit: 1 piece per day (apple, pear, or berries)
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: 1/4 cup per day
Grocery List for Week 7 (with quantities)
Produce:
- 2 Avocados (for toast)
- 1 medium Bell pepper
- 2 cups Spinach (fresh or frozen)
- 2 medium Onions
- 1 bulb Garlic
- 2 medium Tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 2 medium Zucchinis
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes
- 2 Lemons
- 2 pieces Apple or pear
- Berries (optional, for snacks)
Grains:
- 1 cup Regular rice (uncooked)
- 1 cup Quinoa (uncooked)
Proteins:
- 2 Chicken breasts (150g each)
- 200g Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 can Chickpeas (or cooked chickpeas)
- 1 can Black beans (or cooked black beans)
- 1 dozen Eggs (or egg substitute)
Dairy:
- 50g Parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
Spices:
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp Garam masala
- 1/4 tsp Chili powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Other:
- 1 jar Pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 100g Roasted pumpkin seeds (for snacks)
- 1 bottle Multivitamins (take daily)
- 1 pack Electrolyte drink powder (optional)
Weekly Cooking Plan (Sunday Prep)
- Cook Rice and Quinoa: Cook and store regular rice with extra water for a soft texture, and quinoa in separate containers.
- Grill Chicken and Shrimp: Grill chicken breasts and shrimp, slice chicken into strips for easy meal prep.
- Prepare Vegetables: Chop onions, garlic, bell pepper, zucchini, and sweet potatoes for easy cooking throughout the week.
- Make Pesto: If you’re making homemade pesto, blend basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan together.
- Cook Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili: Prepare the chili and store in containers for two dinners.
- Prepare Veggie Scramble Ingredients: Chop bell pepper, onion, and spinach for the scramble.
- Store Snacks: Portion out roasted pumpkin seeds and fruits for easy access throughout the week.
Conclusion
Week 7 is all about nourishing your body with nutrient-dense meals that are quick to prepare and easy to enjoy. By incorporating wholesome grains like regular rice, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins like chicken and shrimp, you’ll stay full and energized throughout the week. These meals support both weight loss and overall health, keeping you on track for success.
Enjoy the variety, the flavors, and the ease of meal prep! Don’t forget to share your favorite meals with me—I’d love to hear how you're doing and see your delicious creations!