2,000 Calories a Day the Healthy Way

Today, a healthful diet such as one low in calories or low in fat no longer means dull, tasteless eating. Nor does it mean complicated meal planning. Technology in the highly competitive food market has resulted in the development of top quality, satisfying products. Nearly every food on the market, from milk to chocolate, has a healthful, tasty substitute. Those substitutions include low-fat, no-fat, sugar-free, and low-calorie versions. And, the new food labeling requirements make finding these products a snap.

Daily modifications of your diet can be simple, using lower fat and lower calorie foods and beverages, as well as changing cooking methods. It’s as easy as exchanging whole milk for 2 percent milk in your breakfast cereal, drinking a diet soda in place of a sugared soda at lunch, or enjoying steamed or boiled vegetables instead of fried or creamed vegetables at dinner. These simple substitutions help bring meals in line with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Healthful changes in your daily routine are certain to become weekly preferences, then monthly, and before long your “diet” is now a lifestyle. Listed below are menu suggestions that are easily adapted into your current diet and are sure to give you food for thought when planning your next meal.

These delicious meal plans were created by dietitians who won the Calorie Control Council’s Healthy Menu Contest. They average 2,000 calories a day* and are low in total fat and saturated fat. As you’ll soon see, 2,000 calories never tasted so good — and are so good for you!

Go to the CalorieControl.org website for more information and a seven day meal plan to get you started. Want more meal plans? Click here for six weeks’ worth of meal plans from CaloriesCount.com. How much easier can it get?

* Because caloric content can vary based on a variety of factors (e.g., product brand, cut of meat), the estimate of 2,000 calories a day will vary.