Just because you're not a contestant on the show doesn't mean you can't win your own weight-loss battle at home. To help you get started, we asked The Biggest Loser nutritionist Cheryl Forberg, RD, to design this seven-day meal plan, which is just like the one that helps the competitors slim down. With delicious recipes and easy tips, you're sure to lose weight in no time.
Monday
This is no deprivation diet: You'll eat three meals and two snacks daily, plus each dish packs a filling balance of 45 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 25 percent healthy fats. When it comes to drinks, Forberg recommends sticking to no- and low-cal picks like coffee, tea, and water. And to accelerate weight loss, The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper suggests doing 60 to 90 minutes of moderate exercise four times a week. So get motivated, get started, and get ready to watch your weight drop!
Breakfast
1/2 cup egg whites scrambled with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chopped basil, 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1 slice whole-grain toast
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt topped with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
Lunch
Salad made with 3/4 cup cooked bulgur, 4 ounces chopped grilled chicken breast, 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar, diced grilled veggies (2 tablespoons onion, 1/4 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup bell pepper), 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro, and 1 tablespoon low-fat vinaigrette
Snack
2 tablespoons hummus and 6 baby carrots
Dinner
4 ounces grilled salmon
1 cup wild rice with 1 tablespoon slivered toasted almonds
1 cup wilted baby spinach with 1 teaspoon each olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and grated Parmesan
1/2 cup diced cantaloupe topped with
1/2 cup all-fruit raspberry sorbet and 1 teaspoon chopped walnuts
Tuesday
Breakfast
3/4 cup steel-cut or old-fashioned oatmeal prepared with water; stir in 1/2 cup skim milk
2 links country-style turkey sausage
1 cup blueberries
Snack
1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup raspberries and 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
Snack
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese with 1/2 cup salsa
Dinner
1 turkey burger
3/4 cup roasted cauliflower and broccoli florets
3/4 cup brown rice
1 cup spinach salad with 1 tablespoon light balsamic vinaigrette
Wednesday
Breakfast
Omelet made with 4 egg whites and 1 whole egg, 1/4 cup chopped broccoli, 2 tablespoons each fat-free refried beans, diced onion, diced mushrooms, and salsa
Quesadilla made with 1/2 of one small corn tortilla and 1 tablespoon low-fat jack cheese
1/2 cup diced watermelon
Snack
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt with 1 sliced apple and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
Lunch
Salad made with 2 cups chopped Romaine, 4 ounces grilled chicken, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup diced mushrooms, 2 tablespoons shredded low-fat cheddar, and 1 tablespoon low-fat Caesar dressing
1 medium nectarine
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1 fat-free mozzarella string cheese stick
1 medium orange
Dinner
4 ounces shrimp, grilled or sauteed with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 medium artichoke, steamed
1/2 cup whole wheat couscous with 2 tablespoons diced bell pepper, 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tablespoon fat-free honey mustard dressing
Thursday
Breakfast
1 light whole-grain English muffin with 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter and 1 tablespoon sugar-free fruit spread
1 wedge honeydew
1 cup skim milk
2 slices Canadian bacon
Snack
Yogurt parfait made with 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, 2 tablespoons sliced strawberries or raspberries, and 2 tablespoons low-fat granola
Lunch
Wrap made with 4 ounces thinly sliced lean roast beef, 1 6-inch whole wheat tortilla, 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, 3 medium tomato slices, 1 teaspoon horseradish, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup pinto beans or lentils with 1 teaspoon chopped basil and 1 tablespoon light Caesar dressing
Snack
8 baked corn chips with 2 tablespoons guacamole
Dinner
4 ounces grilled halibut
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms sauteed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion, and 1 cup green beans
Salad made with 1 cup arugula, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 cup warm unsweetened applesauce with 1/4 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt,
1 tablespoon chopped pecans and dash cinnamon
Friday
Breakfast
Burrito made with 1 medium whole wheat tortilla, 4 scrambled egg whites, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 cup fat-free refried black beans, 2 tablespoons salsa, 2 tablespoons grated low-fat cheddar, and 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro
1 cup mixed melon
Snack
3 ounces sliced lean ham
1 medium apple
Lunch
Turkey burger
Salad made with 1 cup baby spinach, 1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup cooked lentils, 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon light Russian dressing
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1 fat-free mozzarella string cheese stick
1 cup red grapes
Dinner
5 ounces grilled wild salmon
1/2 cup brown or wild rice
2 cups mixed baby greens with 1 tablespoon low-fat Caesar dressing
1/2 cup all-fruit strawberry sorbet with 1 sliced pear
Saturday
Breakfast
Frittata made with 3 large egg whites, 2 tablespoons diced bell peppers, 2 teaspoons chopped spinach, 2 tablespoons part-skim shredded mozzarella, and 2 teaspoons pesto 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 small bran muffin
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and 1/2 cup diced pear
Lunch
4 ounces sliced turkey breast
Tomato-cucumber salad made with 5 slices tomato, 1/4 cup sliced cucumber, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme, and 1 tablespoon fat-free Italian dressing
1 medium orange
Snack
Smoothie made with 3/4 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt, and 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
Dinner
4 ounces red snapper baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon no-sodium seasoning
1 cup spaghetti squash with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup steamed green beans with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
Sunday
Breakfast
2 slices Canadian bacon
1 whole-grain toaster waffle with sugar-free fruit spread
3/4 cup berries
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1/4 cup fat-free cottage cheese with 1/4 cup cherries and 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
Lunch
Salad made with 2 cups baby spinach, 4 ounces grilled chicken, 1 tablespoon chopped dried cranberries, 3 slices avocado, 1 tablespoon slivered walnuts, and 2 tablespoons low-fat vinaigrette
1 apple
1 cup skim milk
Snack
1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon sugar-free fruit spread and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1/4 cup blueberries
Dinner
4 ounces lean pork tenderloin stir-fried with onions, garlic, broccoli, and bell pepper
1/2 cup brown rice
5 medium tomato slices with 1 teaspoon each chopped ginger, chopped cilantro, light soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar