Daily 2000 Calorie Diet Plan

The promise of uncomfortable hunger pains and strict eating restrictions prompt most over-eaters to avoid diets like the plague. However, many people are surprised to learn that they can enjoy a variety of delicious, filling foods by following a healthy daily 2000-calorie diet plan.

Glycemic Index

• When creating a balanced 2000-calorie diet plan, it's important to understand that not all calories are the same. Foods with a high glycemic index enter the body's bloodstream quickly, while foods with a low glycemic index take longer to digest. Why is this important? Low-glycemic foods such as oatmeal and most vegetables help regulate a person's appetite by providing a steady supply of energy. On the other hand, foods low in fiber and high in sugar tend to make the body's insulin levels spike, causing a burst of energy and then a subsequent crash shortly after. People tend to be hungry again shortly after eating high-glycemic foods, while people who eat low-glycemic foods stay satisfied longer. Because you'll be limiting yourself to 2000 calories, you'll want to make sure the foods you eat are filling, so you won't have cravings throughout the day.

Diet

• The following 2000-calorie diet has a low glycemic index and provides ample nutrition. Keep in mind that oils and butters used to cook or add flavor to each dish can raise the calorie content greatly.

  Breakfast

  (150 calories) 1 bowl oatmeal
  (105 calories) 1 medium size banana
  (110 calories) 1 cup orange juice

  Lunch

  (180 calories) Tossed salad with vinaigrette
  (100 calories) 3 oz smoked or poached salmon
  (48 calories) 1 cup boiled or sauteed spinach
  (106 calories) 1 large hard boiled or scrambled egg

  Snack

  (370 calories) 2 oz mixed nuts

  Dinner

  (170 calories) Lean baked chicken breast
  (31 calories) 1 cup broccoli
  (216 calories) 1 cup long-grain brown rice
  (411 calories) 1 piece apple pie

Things To Consider

• Contrary to popular belief, a 2000-calorie diet is not ideal for everyone. Some people require more or fewer calories depending on their overall body mass. Larger individuals need more calories to keep their body running. A 2000-calorie diet could cause larger and more active individuals to lose a considerable amount of weight. In addition, smaller and less-active individuals often require fewer than 2000 calories a day to maintain their weight. So, a 2000-calorie diet could potentially cause these people to gain weight. Before you set out on a 2000-calorie diet, you need to assess your goals and consider your individual daily caloric needs.