Losing weight in a sustainable and healthy way starts with changing your nutrition and lifestyle habits, likely including a calorie deficit.
This approach ensures you're consuming fewer calories than your body uses, encouraging gradual fat loss without compromising your energy or overall nutrition.
Jessica M. Kelly, RDN, LDN explains, “Sustainable weight loss is not about quick fixes or extreme diets—it's about creating balanced habits that fit your lifestyle and support your long-term health. Progress may be slow, but consistency is what leads to long- term success."
Creating a manageable plan with a Registered Dietitian ensures your weight-loss journey is effective and sustainable.
With our help at Berry Street, you can determine your optimal deficit and enjoy meals with essential calories that keep you energized.
Below, we’ll break down the ins and outs of a calorie deficit and provide a comprehensive 3-day diet plan to guide you toward your goals.
Let’s dive in!
What Is A Calorie Deficit?
Based on our first-hand experience, a calorie deficit occurs when your daily calorie intake is lower than the calories your body burns for energy.
This process forces the body to use stored fat as fuel, leading to weight loss. Keep in mind that achieving a calorie deficit isn’t about starving yourself—it’s about mindful eating and balancing nutrient-dense meals with your body’s energy needs.
Emily Hulse, MS, RD, says, “A calorie deficit sounds scary - after all, none of us want to feel hungry all of the time. However, you can absolutely eat mindfully with delicious foods while still achieving your weight loss goals.”
Ensuring your body gets essential nutrients while maintaining a calorie deficit is crucial. Seeking advice from Registered Dietitians can help you build a customized plan that meets your health and wellness goals.
What Should Your Calorie Deficit Be?
The ideal calorie deficit varies depending on factors such as your:
age
weight
activity level
overall health
As per our expertise, a safe and sustainable calorie deficit typically ranges between 250 to 750 calories per day, allowing you to lose approximately 1-2 pounds per week.
It’s important to avoid drastic calorie reductions though, as they can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, and muscle loss.
In this context, a certified sports dietitian and a dietitian for weight loss can calculate your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) and help you set a realistic calorie goal to suit your needs.
Visit us at Berry Street today and discover a Registered Dietitian who can help you burn calories safely and effectively to achieve lasting results!
3-Day Diet Plan For A Calorie Deficit
This structured 3-day diet plan provides practical meal ideas, recipes, and ingredient lists to help you maintain a calorie deficit while enjoying delicious meals.
Day 1
Breakfast: Bran Flakes With Banana
Bran Flakes With Banana is a quick, fiber-packed breakfast to kickstart your metabolism and keep you full until lunch.
Ingredients:
¾ cup bran flakes
1 banana
1 cup fat-free milk
Pour the bran flakes into a bowl, slice a banana and place it on top. Next, add the fat-free milk and serve immediately for a nutritious and filling start to your day.
Packed with dietary fiber, potassium, and calcium, this breakfast supports digestion, heart health, and strong bones while keeping energy levels stable.
A gut health dietitian can adapt this recipe to meet your health goals and dietary preferences, making it part of your personalized calorie deficit plan.
Lunch: Turkey And Lettuce Pita Sandwich
This Turkey And Lettuce Pita Sandwich is a light yet satisfying meal for a balanced midday boost.
Ingredients:
1 mini whole wheat pita
3 oz turkey breast
½ roasted pepper
1 tsp mayo
1 tsp mustard
2 lettuce leaves
1 mozzarella string cheese stick
Spread the mayo and mustard inside the pita, then layer it with turkey, roasted pepper, lettuce as well as the string cheese. Lastly, fold the pita and enjoy it immediately.
Our team discovered through trying out this recipe that it offers lean protein for muscle repair, fiber for satiety, and calcium for strong bones, all while staying low-calorie.
Dinner: Lemon-Herb Baked Flounder
Lemon-Herb Baked Flounder is a flavorful and protein-packed dish that’s perfect for ending your day on a nutritious note.
Ingredients:
1¼ lb flounder filets
1 thinly sliced lemon
3 tbsp melted butter
½ cup seasoned, crushed croutons
parsley for garnish
Arrange the fish filets in a baking dish, then season them with salt and pepper, and top with the lemon slices.
Next, drizzle the fish with butter and bake them at 450°F for 12-15 minutes. Finally, remove them from the oven and sprinkle the flounder with croutons and parsley before serving.
High in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this fish dish supports brain health, promotes muscle maintenance and reduces inflammation, which is ideal for an anti-inflammatory diet meal plan.
At Berry Street, we connect you with Registered Dietitians to help you make the most of your calorie deficit journey.
Find a Registered Dietitian to book your online consultation and start your personalized plan today!
Day 2
Breakfast: Blueberry Banana-Nut Smoothie
A Blueberry Banana-Nut Smoothie is a creamy, nutrient-dense smoothie bursting with fruity flavor and healthy fats to jumpstart your day.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 frozen banana
½ cup frozen blueberries
2 tbsp almond butter
Add all the ingredients to a blender and purée until they’re smooth. Then, pour it into a tall glass and enjoy a refreshing, nutritious breakfast in minutes.
Rich in antioxidants, potassium, and healthy fats, this smoothie supports brain health, boosts energy, keeping you satiated all morning.
Lunch: Vegetable Soup And Veggie Burger
Vegetable soup and a vegetarian burger are a hearty, fiber-rich duo that’s packed with plant-based goodness to fuel your afternoon.
Ingredients:
Vegetable Soup:
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1½ cups chopped carrot
1½ cups chopped celery
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 tsp minced garlic
¾ tsp ground fennel seed
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp fine sea salt to taste
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
6 cups veggie/chicken stock or broth
2 cups chopped potato
4 cups chopped or shredded cabbage
2 bay leaves
1 cup frozen peas
½ tsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
fresh lemon juice (optional)
Veggie Burger:
1 can (15 oz) black beans
8 oz mushrooms
1 medium carrot
1½ cups broccoli florets
¼ medium onion
2 medium garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
¾ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper
⅓ cup walnuts
2 cups spinach leaves
¼ cup fresh parsley
½ cup panko or homemade breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1 tbsp tomato paste
¾ cup cooked brown rice
For the soup, begin by sauté the veggies, add the broth, and simmer with all the seasonings until they’re tender.
For the burgers, roast the vegetables, then pulse the ingredients in a food processor. Next, remove the mixture from the blender and shape them into patties. Drizzle a skillet with olive oil, then fry each pattie for a few minutes, flipping them over until both sides are golden.
Remove the veggie burger patties from heat and assemble your burger. Lastly, serve the veggie soup and burger together for a comforting lunch.
Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and plant protein, this meal supports digestion, heart health, and sustained energy levels.
A vegetarian dietitian can curate this meal as part of a plant-based diet meal plan tailored to your personal goals.
Dinner: Boneless And Skinless BBQ Chicken Breast
Boneless And Skinless BBQ Chicken Breast is a flavorful protein-rich dinner paired with nutrient-packed sides to round out your day.
Ingredients:
4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
BBQ sauce
2 cups sautéed spinach
½ baked sweet potato
garlic, olive oil and tomatoes (optional)
Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and grill it until it’s fully cooked. Next, sauté the spinach with garlic and olive oil in a skillet on medium, then toss in the tomatoes afterwards. Serve the chicken with the spinach, tomatoes, and half a baked sweet potato.
This lean protein, iron-rich spinach, and beta-carotene-packed sweet potatoes promote muscle maintenance, immune health, and glowing skin.
Moreover, a sports Registered Dietitian can adapt this recipe to suit your energy and performance needs while ensuring optimal nutrition and flavor satisfaction.
Day 3
Breakfast: Apple And Cinnamon Oatmeal
Enjoy a warm and comforting serving of Apple And Cinnamon Oatmeal that’s rich in fiber and naturally sweetened for lasting energy.
Ingredients:
½ cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup unsweetened soy milk
½ sliced apple
1 tsp honey
pinch of cinnamon
Cook the oats in soy milk in the microwave or stovetop. Next, stir in the apple slices, drizzling them with honey and sprinkling cinnamon on top. You can enjoy it immediately for a cozy and nourishing start to your day.
Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and natural sweetness, this breakfast option supports digestion, regulates blood sugar, and provides you with sustained energy.
A ‘dietitian near me’ can include this recipe in a tailored plan to help you reach your gut health goals while enjoying wholesome flavors.
Lunch: Chicken And Red Grape Salad
This Chicken And Red Grape Salad is a refreshing blend of lean protein, sweet fruit, and crunchy nuts for a balanced and satisfying midday meal.
Ingredients:
4 oz shredded, skinless chicken breast
¼ cup sliced red grapes
1 tbsp slivered almonds
¼ cup chopped celery
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until they’re evenly coated. Serve your salad over a bed of lettuce or with a slice of multigrain toast for added texture and nutrition.
Packed with lean protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants, this chicken and grape salad supports muscle repair, heart health, and immune function.
Dinner: Steamed Shrimp With Baked Potato And Spinach
Steamed Shrimp With Baked Potato And Spinach is a light yet filling dinner combination to end your night on a high note.
Ingredients:
4 oz de-veined and thawed shrimp
1 cup water
1 lemon (optional)
1 baked potato
3 cups steamed spinach
olive oil, sea salt, and salsa (for toppings)
Steam the shrimp with water and lemon in a covered pot until they’re pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
Next, bake the potato in the microwave for 5 minutes. Slice the potato open, and top it with olive oil, salsa, and Greek yogurt. Serve the baked potato together with the steamed spinach.
Shrimp offers lean protein and omega-3s, while the spinach and baked potato provide fiber, iron, and essential vitamins. You can even incorporate this delicious dish into a pescetarian meal plan.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed what a calorie deficit is, how to calculate the right calorie deficit for you, and shared a detailed 3-day diet plan to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
From satisfying breakfasts to flavorful dinners, this plan is designed to keep you energized while maintaining a manageable calorie deficit.
That’s why we provide you with personalized advice that’s fully covered by insurance, helping you create a sustainable calorie deficit meal plan.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get started and ‘find a Registered Dietitian near me’ at Berry Street to take the first step toward achieving your wellness goals today!