Eating Less Than 1200 Calories – A 1,200-calorie diet may not be easy to follow. But if you’re short and have a low metabolic rate, 1,200 calories may be the only way to keep your weight off.
This morning I was listening to a podcast from Fitness Nutrition asking how to maintain a calorie deficit diet.
Eating Less Than 1200 Calories

I was expecting her to say that she adds lots of veggies or low calorie foods or loads of soda, but she said better! (check out my article: You Can Eat Less and Be Satisfied)
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His words: “Between meals you have to look at your life better than the food. If the BEST part of the day is dairy, you need to make some changes.”
I couldn’t agree more and I love repeating it this way. When I’m busy doing things I love and enjoy, I don’t have time to pay attention to food and I don’t care if what I eat is boring.
There is a time and a place to love food. Of course there is. We all love food. But if you’re preparing for a bikini competition or a diet, find other things in life to fill the void. Let it be your food.
My goal is to hit 1,200 calories a day, which gives me some room for mindless, impulsive eating. I usually reach 1500 calories by the end of the day.
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Anyway, I think it’s really helpful to have a 1200 calorie plan and leave the rest of the food unplanned. Although I don’t eat the same thing every day, it’s usually a variety of foods.
Anyway, 1200 calories in a typical day is a quick snack that sounds like me! These meals were made after eating Bright Line last summer!
I have a printable 1200 calorie meal plan below. Check out all the meal plans in the Healthy Meal Plans category!

Hello! I’m Amy Roskelly, a health and fitness professional and owner of the website and blog The Health Buzz. He has a bachelor’s degree in public health from BYU. Masters of Business (University of Utah) Certified Personal Trainer (ACE), RRCA Functional Trainer, Certified Personal Chef (IAP) and Certified Nutrition and Wellness Advisor (AFPA), Certified Mind, Body and Nutrition Coach. (IPE).
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Author of high-calorie recipes and diet books. Mother of 3, runner and NPC Fitness competitor can redeem through the affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our branch and our product review process.
If you want to lose weight, cutting calories is an important step. A diet that restricts daily calories to around 1,200 may help you reach your ideal weight, but may provide too little energy and nutrients for the most active women and men (men need at least 1,500 calories per day).
Regardless of the calorie level that suits you, strategies for success include planning ahead, choosing foods wisely, and creating meals and snacks that satisfy your appetite. So, if you’re serious about starting a 1200 calorie diet, here’s how to do it (probably).
A 1,200-calorie diet isn’t inherently risky, and it can work well if it promotes a safe, gradual loss of energy. However, if you are hungry or weak following this plan, you will need to adjust your diet.
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Also, if this low-calorie plan leads to rapid weight loss—an average of more than 2 pounds per week—it means that the calorie intake is too low or unbalanced. That’s because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), losing 1 to 2 pounds per week is ideal because people who lose weight at this level are more likely to keep the weight off.
If your goal is to change your diet to control weight loss or another health problem, it is recommended that you seek the opinion of a physician with experience in nutrition and health and a nutritionist. A dietitian can create a meal plan that meets your specific energy needs, health conditions, and nutritional preferences, and can advise you on the supplements you need to supplement your low-calorie diet.
All meal plans provide a certain amount of energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which are the main energy sources in the diet. Although the ideal amount of these macronutrients remains a controversial topic, the National Academy of Sciences provides very flexible guidelines.

The percentage of macronutrients that make up a healthy eating plan is 45-65 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, 20-35 percent from fat, and 10-35 percent from protein,” says Malina Malkani, RDN, spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition, Dietitian and Totalitarian Lifestyle Developer.
Effects Of Eating 1200 Calories Per Day & Working Out For 90 Minutes
Therefore, according to the IOM guidelines, a planned 1,200-calorie diet may contain 135 to 195 grams of carbohydrates, 27 to 47 grams of fat, and 30 to 105 grams of protein.
On the other hand, some studies suggest that the quality of food choices may be more important than the proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the diet. According to a study of more than 600 obese adults published in the February 2018 issue of JAMA, weight loss success over 12 months was not related to whether the diet was high in fat or high in carbohydrates. Instead, consumption was highest among those who consumed added sugar, refined grains, and highly processed foods, and those who ate the most vegetables and other whole, unprocessed plant foods.
“A 1,200-calorie diet is only as good for weight loss as calories in,” says Moe Schlachter, spokesperson for the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and president of Houston Family Nutrition.
Whether you’re improving your food choices or following a low-calorie diet plan, planning is key to success. The Academy of Food and Nutrition recommends starting with a well-planned shopping list. Once you’ve planned your meals for the week, make this list and write down what you have on hand. When you shop, choose foods from all food groups and avoid foods that aren’t on your list.
Calories & More
Hunger and cravings are major barriers to any diet plan. To combat this, Malkani recommends more liquid, high-volume, low-calorie foods like salads, vegetables, soups, and fruits. She also recommends eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and including fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and legumes.
At the same time, it’s important to avoid liquids and calories from low-nutrient, high-calorie foods. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and sweetened coffee and avoid fried foods, desserts, sweets and snacks. Adding these extra calories can really hinder your progress. “If you want to limit calories, it’s important to make every bite count,” says Malkani.
While you can easily incorporate many of your favorite foods into low-calorie meals, sample menus can add variety or reinforce concepts of balance and moderation. Below is an example of a weekly menu for a 1200 calorie balanced plan.
Add water, unsweetened hot or iced or sparkling water, to any meal or snack. Coffee is acceptable in moderation.
Week 1,400 Calorie Meal Plan
The serving size for the recipes listed is one serving. Pay attention to the portion size and the portions the recipe provides. Additionally, a 1,200-calorie diet may be low in certain vitamins and minerals. Talk to your nutritionist or doctor to find out which vitamin or mineral supplements are right for you.
If you are being treated for a medical condition, seek advice before starting a restrictive diet. Also, if your child or teen is overweight, don’t put them on a diet. Instead, discuss healthy weight strategies with your child’s doctor or ask for a referral to a nutritionist.
Eating just 1,200 calories a day can help you shed those last few pounds. But even when cutting calories, weight loss success depends on the individual. Therefore, it is not easy to estimate how long it will take to lose 10 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet.
“Genetic, metabolic, hormonal and environmental differences between individuals can affect the rate of weight gain and loss,” Malkani said. “Previous weight loss advice recommended eating about 500 calories per day to lose 1 pound per week. Weight loss is simple, predictable and non-linear.”
How To Eat 1,200 Calories Per Day And Not Be Miserable
Another important tool for successful weight loss involves exercise. When following a 1,200 calorie plan, exercise is safe as long as this goal meets your energy needs. “Calorie restriction without physical activity leads to less-than-ideal body mass loss,” says Malkani. .
Schlachter adds: “This is also important
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