Optimizing Your Diet on Weight Loss Drugs: Tips from Nutrition Experts

We all could use a little inspiration for meal planning (even when we’re not taking weight loss drugs). Try this seven-day plan, which was created with the help of registered dietitian nutritionists Mitri and Newlin, to jump-start your meals and snacks while on newer weight loss drugs.

Sunday

Breakfast High-fiber, low-sugar cereal (such as Grape Nuts or Fiber One) with 2 percent milk and banana slices

Snack Melon cubes and cottage cheese

Lunch Mediterranean spinach salad with diced chicken, artichokes, tomatoes, and pine nuts

Dinner Vegetable bean chili

Dessert Dark chocolate pomegranate bark

Monday

Breakfast Smoothie with almond milk, protein powder, and frozen fruit

Snack Handful of pistachios

Lunch Turkey wrap with lettuce and light mayo in a whole-wheat tortilla

Dinner Whole-wheat pasta with shrimp and peas

Dessert Avocado chocolate mousse

Tuesday

Breakfast Two hard-boiled eggs, fresh berries, a slice whole-grain toast, and 1 cup skim milk

Snack Lightly salted popcorn

Lunch Chicken and vegetable soup

Dinner Salmon kale salad

Dessert Berry smoothie (frozen banana, frozen berries, yogurt, and a drizzle of maple syrup)

Wednesday

Breakfast Overnight oats with blueberries, Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon

Snack Turkey jerky and an apple

Lunch Cup of vegetable soup with quesadillas with rotisserie chicken

Dinner Black bean Mexican quinoa bowls

Dessert Dark chocolate and almonds

Thursday

Breakfast Whole-wheat toast with avocado and two over-easy eggs

Snack Cheese slices, seed crackers, and hummus

Lunch Grilled chicken sandwich with baby carrots

Dinner Soy-glazed salmon with basmati rice and a side salad

Dessert Medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter

Friday

Breakfast Oatmeal with pecans and dried cranberries

Snack 2 hard-boiled eggs and ½ red bell pepper, sliced

Lunch Tuna salad sandwich and a banana

Dinner Chicken stir-fry with vegetables over quinoa or brown rice

Dessert Yogurt parfait with mandarin oranges and honey

Saturday

Breakfast 2 percent plain Greek yogurt with a handful of blueberries and ¼ cup toasted walnuts

Snack Trail mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit

Lunch Curried chickpea wrap and cucumber slices

Dinner Balsamic chicken breast with brown rice and spinach salad

Dessert Fresh strawberries with a drizzle of chocolate syrup