Vegetarian Meal Plan for a Healthy Weight

Whether you already follow a vegetarian diet or are just looking to go meatless sometimes, this vegetarian meal plan makes it easy to eat meat-free and reach a healthy weight. Eating more plant-based foods is a great way to boost your health. A vegetarian diet has been shown to reduce your risk of certain diseases, too.

For example, a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that diets high in plant foods and lower in animal foods are associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease if you have it. And 2018 research published in the journal Current Diabetes Reports states that there is evidence that lifelong vegetarians have a 35% reduced chance of developing diabetes, and those who started following a vegetarian diet after being non-vegetarian earlier in life reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 53%. According to the American Cancer Society, eating foods high in fiber—fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, beans (all foundational to a vegetarian diet)—is associated with lower rates of certain types of cancer, including colorectal cancer; it's also linked to a lower death rate in breast and prostate cancer survivors.

Don't Miss: The Best 30-Day Vegetarian Meal Plan

In this vegetarian weight-loss meal plan, we make sure to include plenty of filling foods so you feel satisfied—not starved—while losing weight. Protein-rich beans and tofu, high-fiber whole grains, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats, like nuts, help keep you feeling energized all day long. Couple this plant-based meal plan with daily exercise and you're on track to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Does this plan leave you wanting more food? See our vegetarian plans at 1,500 calories and 2,000 calories.

1. Meal prep the Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls and store in to-go containers for the work week. (To buy: amazon.com, $21)
2. Bake a batch of the Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups to have throughout the week. Store in air-tight meal-prep containers to keep fresh (To buy: amazon.com, $38).
3. Whip up the Peanut-Butter Energy Balls to enjoy as snacks and evening treats this week. Store in an airtight container (like above link) for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
4. Make 3 hard-boiled eggs to have as snacks for the week.

• 3/4 cup oatmeal cooked in 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup raspberries

Top oatmeal with raspberries and a pinch of cinnamon.

• 1 medium apple

• 1 serving Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap

• 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup sliced strawberries

• 1 serving Mushroom-Quinoa Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

Daily Totals: 1,224 calories, 45 g protein, 173 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 43 g fat, 1,269 mg sodium.

• 1 serving Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups
• 1 clementine

• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

• 1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

• 2 Peanut-Butter Energy Balls

• 1 serving Butternut Squash & Black Bean Tostadas

Daily Totals: 1,214 calories, 51 g protein, 163 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 47 g fat, 1,317 mg sodium.

• 1 serving Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups
• 1 medium apple

• 1 hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each of salt and pepper

• 1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

• 1/2 cup raspberries

• 1 serving One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta topped with 2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese

• 2 Peanut-Butter Energy Balls

Daily Totals: 1,208 calories, 55 g protein, 160 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 45 g fat, 1,478 mg sodium.

• 1 serving Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups
• 1 medium apple

• 1 hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each of salt and pepper

• 1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

• 1 clementine

• 1 serving Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans topped with 2 Tbsp. shredded Cheddar cheese and 1 Tbsp. sour cream

• 2 Peanut-Butter Energy Balls

Daily Totals: 1,215 calories, 49 g protein, 162 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 46 g fat, 1,349 mg sodium.

• 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
• 1 clementine

• 1/2 cup raspberries

• 1 serving Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

• 1 medium apple

• 1 serving Vegetarian Tikka Masala
• 3/4 cup cooked brown rice

Daily Totals: 1,221 calories, 47 g protein, 155 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 53 g fat, 1,203 mg sodium.

• 3/4 cup oatmeal cooked in 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup raspberries

Top oatmeal with raspberries and a pinch of cinnamon.

• 1 medium apple

• 1 serving Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap

• 2 Peanut-Butter Energy Balls

• 1 serving Beefless Vegan Tacos

Daily Totals: 1,225 calories, 44 g protein, 165 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 49 g fat, 1,417 mg sodium.

• 1/2 cup oatmeal cooked in 1/2 cup skim milk and 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 medium apple, diced
• 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 8 almonds

• 1 serving Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap

• 1 hard-boiled egg seasoned with a pinch each of salt and pepper

• 1 serving Curried Chickpea Stew

Daily Totals: 1,211 calories, 67 g protein, 138 g carbohydrates, 31 g fiber, 46 g fat, 1,625 mg sodium.