While we certainly believe that sugar and desserts have a role in a balanced and healthy diet, the reality is that most of us eat way more added sugars than we realize. The average American eats 17 teaspoons (68 grams) of added sugar every day, per the CDC. That's far more than the American Heart Association's recommended max of 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men. Though we certainly don't think added sugars need to be avoided forever, it can be helpful to take a closer look at where added sugars are coming into our diets and how that can potentially interfere with weight loss goals, per the CDC.
In this plan, we map out a week of delicious recipes tailored to support weight loss goals by focusing on satiating nutrients like protein and fiber while skipping added sugars. We set this plan at 1,500 calories per day, which is a level where most people will lose weight. For those with different calorie needs, we included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories a day.
Related: How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight?
Natural sugars, like those found in fruits, vegetables and unsweetened dairy, such as plain yogurt, are more nutritious than their added sugar counterparts. This is because foods containing natural sugars also pack in more nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein, which help improve our health and moderate our blood sugars better than purely added sugars. Added sugars are, as the name implies, added during processing and don't provide nutritional benefits. While it used to take some digging to differentiate between added and natural sugars when buying groceries, the good news is that the nutrition label makes it easier by clearly outlining the amount of added sugars per serving, per the FDA. Even so, it can be helpful to take a glance at the ingredient list before purchasing processed foods because there are many names for ingredients with added sugars.
Prioritize nutrient-rich foods that are high in fiber and protein to help you stay full while losing weight:
Daily Totals: 1,510 calories, 71g fat, 88g protein, 135g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 1,408mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit apple at breakfast, kefir at lunch and walnuts at P.M. snack
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, add 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack and increase to 15 dried walnut halves at P.M. snack
Daily Totals: 1,507 calories, 89g fat, 80g protein, 111g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,072mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit almonds at breakfast and change A.M. snack to 1 plum
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 1 slice sprouted wheat toast with 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, add 8 dried walnut halves to P.M. snack and add 1 serving Cucumber & Avocado Salad to dinner
Daily Totals: 1,510 calories, 79g fat, 76g protein, 132g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 1,081mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit almonds at A.M. snack and brown rice at dinner
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 18 dried walnut halves to P.M. snack and 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner
Daily Totals: 1,507 calories, 75g fat, 95g protein, 126g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 1,002mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit almonds at breakfast, change A.M. snack to 1 medium peach and omit walnuts at P.M. snack
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 1 slice sprouted wheat toast with 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack and 1/4 cup guacamole to dinner
Daily Totals: 1,525 calories, 73g fat, 72g protein, 158g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 1,412mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit yogurt at A.M. snack and omit almonds at P.M. snack
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 1 cup low-fat plain kefir to breakfast, add 12 dried walnut halves to A.M. snack and add 1 serving Cucumber & Avocado Salad to dinner
Daily Totals: 1,504 calories, 67g fat, 100g protein, 138g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 961mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: reduce to 1 Tbsp. sliced almonds at breakfast and omit peanut butter at A.M. snack
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 30 dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner
Daily Totals: 1,523 calories, 71g fat, 95g protein, 136g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,072mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: omit apple at breakfast and change P.M. snack to 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
To Make it 2,000 Calories: add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, 10 dried walnut halves to A.M. snack and 1 serving Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette to dinner
