How to Plan a 1500-Calorie Week
A 1500-calorie plan is a common target for many adults who want to lose weight, but it only works if the meals are ones you actually want to eat. Planning the whole week in one go makes it easier to stick to.
Start with the week, not the day
Pick breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner for all seven days at once. Repeat a few meals so you buy fewer ingredients and waste less food. Two or three breakfasts and three or four dinners is usually enough variety.
Check the portions
Most of the calories in a plan come from portions of protein, oil and carbs. Measure them at first, then judge by eye once you know what a serving looks like.
Make the grocery list from the plan
Write the list straight from the seven days, combine the duplicates, then check what you already have. This is the step that saves the most money.
Use a ready-made plan to start
If you don't want to build one from scratch, our 1500-calorie meal plan gives you a full week with recipes, and you can swap meals for your own saved recipes. There's also a printable version to keep on the fridge.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, talk to your doctor or a dietitian before changing how much you eat.