How to Plan a Menu for an 1,800-Calorie Diet

These days, lots of people are looking to lose weight and feel healthier. There may be temptation to dramatically cut your calorie intake in order to achieve faster effects; however, if you're already eating your maximum daily allowance (which you can calculate through the resource listed below), cutting your daily intake by more than 500 calories a day can hamper your weight loss by slowing your metabolism and making you crave the things you're depriving yourself of. The 1,800-calorie-a-day diet as a sustainable weight loss program could be the solution.

Instructions

Planning Your Diet

1




Having realistic goals will help you to stay positive about your weight loss journey.

Set realistic goals. If you go into your diet with the goal of losing 50 pounds, you will find that your end goal seems to be getting further away, rather than closer. Set smaller, more realistic goals that will enable you to celebrate lots of little victories along the way. Achieving these milestones will keep you feeling positive and encourage you to carry on.

2




Accurately planning your calorie intake will help you to stay on track.

Plan your meals in advance so you will only buy what you need each week and will limit the temptation to buy snacks and treats. By using a website such as Calorie King, you can accurately plan how each calorie will be used. Aim to have a daily intake of 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent proteins and 20 percent fats.

3




Whole-grain foods will help keep you going all day long.

Ensure that you receive plenty of nutrition from your 1,800 calories. It is simply not enough to eat 1,800 calories if they are "empty" calories -- make sure you eat foods that will provide you with the most nutrition and sustenance. Implement whole-grain foods (pasta, rice, cereal, etc.), which are slow-release foods, which will help you feel fuller longer.

4




In your diet, still allow for healthy versions of favorites.

Make healthy choices. There is no reason why you should go without the things you love. By supplementing unhealthy foods with healthier versions, you can still enjoy your favorite things. For example, if you are a fan of bacon sandwiches, try cutting the fat off the bacon and grilling it instead of frying and have it on whole-grain bread without a fatty spread. This way, you have still satiated your craving but in a non-damaging way.