1200 Calorie Meal Plan
Created by Roman Leshchuh, founder of Mealyno. Generated from published formulas. Method. Updated September 2026.
What is a 1200 calorie meal plan?
A 1200 calorie meal plan is a seven-day menu where each day adds up to about 1200 kcal (within 50). The sample below averages 92 g protein, 32 g carbs and 78 g fat a day, over 3 meals a day, and 6 diet versions of the same level follow it. This is a low daily level, so ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what is right for you.
Generated by Mealyno from published formulas. Not reviewed by a doctor or dietitian. Details
1200 calorie meal plan: 7-day sample
This is the low-carb plan: of the versions at this level, its days land closest to 1200 kcal. Meals and daily totals are below.
| Day | Meals | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Feta · Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado · Baked Salmon with Asparagus | 1200 | 95 | 25 | 80 |
| 2 | Greek Yogurt with Berries and Almonds · Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps · Lean Ground Beef Stir-fry with Broccoli | 1200 | 90 | 41 | 75 |
| 3 | Omelette with Mushrooms and Cheese · Chicken Breast with Mixed Greens · Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles | 1200 | 90 | 26 | 82 |
| 4 | Cottage Cheese with Chia Seeds · Salmon Salad with Cucumber · Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts | 1200 | 95 | 37 | 75 |
| 5 | Avocado Smoothie · Hard-Boiled Eggs and Cheese Sticks · Beef and Vegetable Skewers · Baked Cod with Lemon and Herbs | 1200 | 93 | 30 | 79 |
| 6 | Scrambled Eggs with Avocado · Chicken Caesar Salad (light dressing) · Turkey Meatloaf with Cauliflower Mash | 1200 | 91 | 34 | 78 |
| 7 | Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bites · Leftover Turkey Meatloaf · Grilled Steak with Green Beans | 1200 | 90 | 31 | 80 |
Full 1200 calorie low-carb meal plan: portions, swaps, shopping list
1200 calorie meal plans by diet
Same calories, different foods. Pick a diet to open its full 7-day plan with portions, swaps and a shopping list.
| Diet | Protein g | Carbs g | Fat g | Meals a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 calorie high-protein meal planProtein leads every meal and snack. | 112 | 68 | 54 | 4 |
| 1200 calorie low-carb meal planFewer carbohydrates, with more protein, vegetables and fats. | 92 | 32 | 78 | 3 |
| 1200 calorie vegetarian meal planNo meat or fish. Eggs, dairy, legumes and soy carry the protein. | 55 | 151 | 42 | 3 |
| 1200 calorie vegan meal planFully plant-based. Tofu, tempeh, legumes, soy and seeds carry the protein. | 53 | 159 | 39 | 4 |
| 1200 calorie keto meal planVery few carbohydrates. Most calories come from fat and protein. | 88 | 29 | 82 | 3 |
| 1200 calorie gluten-free meal planNo wheat, barley or rye. Rice, quinoa and gluten-free oats take their place. | 82 | 94 | 55 | 3 |
Who a 1200 calorie meal plan suits
1200 kcal is a low daily level. It sits below the estimated daily need of most adults, and for many it is below the resting energy (BMR) a calculator returns. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what is right for you before eating this little. Use this plan as an example of how a small calorie budget can be spread across meals, not as a target to adopt on your own.
The number that fits you depends on your height, weight, age and activity. This is general information for healthy adults, not medical advice. If you have a medical condition, ask your clinician before changing how you eat.
Three example adults and their estimated daily need from the Mifflin-St Jeor equation at light activity. They are examples, not advice.
| Example adult | Estimated need, kcal |
|---|---|
| Woman, 35, 165 cm, 65 kg | 1850 |
| Man, 30, 178 cm, 80 kg | 2430 |
| Woman, 50, 160 cm, 72 kg | 1800 |
Your own number may differ. Work out your own estimate with the calorie calculator.
How to use a 1200 calorie meal plan
- Pick a diet in the table above and open its page. Every meal has a portion and its calories, and protein is shown for each day.
- For shopping, each plan has a week-long list with quantities added up. Copy it, download it or print it.
- The numbers are checked automatically: each day must land within 50 kcal of the target. Every plan can be saved as a PDF.
Check the numbers for you
- Protein calculator
A daily range in g per kg of body weight, with sources.
- TDEE calculator
Estimate your daily energy use from weight, height, age and activity.
- BMR calculator
Your resting energy, the floor under any calorie target.
- Calorie calculator
Want a plan built around your foods and schedule? AI meal planner
Read the full disclaimer
Every number on this page (calorie targets, macro splits and any suggested meal plan) is produced by formulas (Mifflin-St Jeor for basal metabolic rate, standard activity multipliers) or, for AI-generated meal plans, by a language model applying those same formulas. On meal-plan pages the carbohydrate figure for each meal is calculated by difference: total calories minus protein and fat calories, divided by 4. It is not measured or estimated on its own, so read it as an arithmetic balance and not as an independent nutritional analysis of the dish. None of it is individualized medical or nutritional advice, and none of it has been reviewed by a registered dietitian, physician or other licensed healthcare professional.
Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what is right for you before starting a new diet, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a diagnosed medical condition, take prescription medication, or have a history of disordered eating. If you have kidney disease or another medical condition, ask your clinician before raising protein.
Mealyno never recommends a calorie target below your calculated Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the minimum energy your body needs at complete rest. Even the most aggressive weight-loss setting is clamped at that floor.
Calorie and BMR estimates use the Mifflin-St Jeor equation (Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990).
Generated: September 2026
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