What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?

See what a day’s worth of food looks like on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Plus, get a sample meal plan with healthy ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

If you want to lose weight rather than maintain a healthy weight, that number will change.

Recipes from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"

Photo:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

So what does a 2,000-calorie diet look like?

And is it the best calorie goal for you and your needs?

While we previously included meal plans and modifications for 1,200 calories, we no longer do.

Breakfast from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"

Most people will lose weight following a 1,500-calorie diet.

To lose 1 pound/week: Cut 500 calories/day

To lose 1.5 pounds/week: Cut 750 calories/day

Example:

Say your current weight is 190 pounds:

Apple slice and peanut butter snack from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"

To maintain your current weight: 190 lbs.

x 12 = 2,280 calories

To lose 1 pound/week: 2,280 calories 500 calories = 1,780 calories

Chickpea & Roasted Red Pepper Lettuce Wraps with Tahini Dressing Lunch from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Day Look Like”

This calculation is just a suggested starting point.

If you’re losing weight on 1,900 calories a day and you feel great, stick with that.

For healthy weight loss, we don’t advise losing more than 2 pounds per week.

Cucumber hummus snack from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"

Some original reporting by Nicci Micco, M.S.

What a 2,000-Calorie Day Looks Like

Here’s what a sample day looks like at 2,000 calories.

Aim to keep breakfast between 400 and 450 calories.

Dinner from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"

Sample Breakfast:

Total:445 calories

Aim to keep snacks around 150 to 200 calories.

Strawberry-Mango Nice Cream from “What Does a 2,000-Calorie Diet Look Like?"