2600 Calorie Meal Plan: Packing On Size Instead Of Flab

What Should You Know About 2600 Calorie Meal Plan?

Diets are pretty much eating guidelines as they help you keep track of what to eat, in what amounts to eat and even how many times to eat in a day. Diets are sometimes referred to as meal plans or even food plans. There are as well many different diets. Some are generalized so anyone can adapt them to suit their wants while others are rigid and specialized. When you look at specialized diets, there are so many food plans one can adopt. Some are based on only eating a particular type of food while others are emphasizing counting calories. An example of a food plan that counts calories is the 2600 calorie meal plan.

The 2600 calorie meal plan is a food plan that is designed to ensure that you eat 2600 calories in a day. The key to making a diet successful is focusing on quality, quantity and macronutrients, When it comes to quality, you need to incorporate highly nutritious foods and avoid foods that will deter you from your weight journey or overall health. When it comes to quantity, you just need to make sure you meet up with the food amounts you should eat in a particular day.

The Importance Of Counting The Calories

You can easily do this by counting the calories until you make sure you get to your daily calorie intake. Getting to your daily calorie intake goal and no more helps ensure that your body can be working perfectly. When it comes to the macronutrients, there are two questions you need to ask yourself. The first question is whether you are getting all the macros needed by your body and the second question is whether you are getting those macros in the amounts needed by the body.

Trying a new food plan is not as easy as it sounds. You just don’t wake up one day and say from today onwards I am going to be a vegetarian. The same applies to the 2600 calorie meal plan. There are a few preparations you need to make. You need to know what foods you can eat while on this diet. You also will need to make a meal plan. And I cannot emphasize this enough, you need to consult a dietician or any expert. An expert will give you all the necessary advice.

The 2600 calorie diet can be divided into five eating periods. This schedule helps make sure you don’t stay for long without eating and also ensures you are able to eat up to the 2600 calories target in a day. This is not a low calorie meal plan. 2600 calories are actually a lot of calories.

Who Should Eat 2600 Calories In A Day?

There are so many people who can eat 2600 calories in a day. If your diet consists of junk food and fast foods you can easily get to and even go over the 2600 calorie limit. This diet is mainly recommended for active men (2). Active men need somewhere between 2400 – 2800 calories in a day. Another group of people who can eat 2600 calories in a day are people who have been advised to do so by an expert.

People looking to gain weight or gain muscle can also eat this many calories in a day. People looking to lose weight can also eat 2600 calories in a day. For people looking to lose weight, this only applies to you if you were consuming more than 2600 calories. In both cases, exercise also plays a key role. More on this will be highlighted later.

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See also

Intermittent Fasting and Muscle Loss

What Amounts Of Each Food Group Should You Eat?

Like we mentioned earlier, it is very important to know the quantity of food you eat. This does not only mean making sure you get 2600 calories in a day. It goes deeper than that. It applies to the individual food groups you eat. Here we are talking about the vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, proteins and even oils. Knowing the amount you should eat helps one eat a balanced diet and prevents one from concentrating on certain foods while forgetting others. Here are the amounts you should eat if you are on a 2600 calorie meal plan.

Fruits

Doctors, dieticians and other experts are always telling you to eat more fruits. Whenever a person is sick, they are always advised to eat more fruits. This is because fruits are very important to a person. There are so many fruits one can eat. There are bananas, oranges, mangoes, apples, different types of berries and so on. Fruits are highly nutritious and contain vitamins and mineral salts that your body needs to stay healthy. If you are on a 2600 calorie food plan, you need two cups of fruits daily (4,8,9). 1 cup of fruit can counts as:

A cup of either raw, frozen, cooked, or canned fruit.
It can also count as ½ cup of dried fruit.
It can also count as 1 cup of 100% fruit juice.

Vegetables

Fruits usually go hand in hand with veggies. Vegetables are very important to our bodies, that is why you should always include them in your diet. Veggies are known to be rich in so many nutrients that our bodies need (13). Examples of such nutrients include potassium,vitamin A and C. Vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. In addition to all this, vegetables are high in fiber. Fiber helps prevent constipation by helping with digestion. You need 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily if you are on this meal plan (4,8,9). 1 cup of vegetable counts as:

A cup of either raw, cooked, or canned vegetables.
It also counts as 2 cups of leafy salads.
It can also count as 1 cup of 100% vegetable juice.

For your weekly goals, you should aim to eat the following amounts of various vegetables in a week (9)

2½ cups of dark green vegetables
7 cups of red or orange-colored vegetables
2½ of cups dry beans and peas
7 cups of starchy vegetables
5½ cups of other vegetables

Grains

Grains are also an important component of any diet. Grains are important sources of fiber and many nutrients like vitamin B, iron, magnesium (6). Grains are also known to reduce some chronic diseases. An individual on this diet needs 9 ounces from grains, with at least half of those being whole grains (4,8,9). An ounce of grains count as:

A slice of bread.
It can also count as 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal.
It can also count as ½ cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal.

Proteins

Proteins are important macronutrients in a particular diet. Proteins help with muscle growth and repairing tissues, among many other uses in the body. When on such a food plan, you should aim to eat low-fat meats, skinless poultry and fish. You should try to vary your proteins. It is important to remember there are plants that offer good amounts of protein so it is advisable to add these sources of protein to your diet. An individual on this 2600 calorie diet needs 6 ½ ounces of proteins (4,8,9). An ounce of protein counts as:

An ounce of either cooked or canned lean meats, poultry, or seafood.
An ounce also counts as 1 egg.
It also counts as 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.
It also counts as ¼ cup of cooked beans or peas.
It also counts as ½ ounce of nuts or seeds.

Dairy

Dairy is also important in a diet. Dairy products are important when it comes to building strong bones (11). They are also important when it comes to keeping one’s teeth and gums healthy. Dairy products contain high amounts of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, magnesium and other nutrients. In this, you need 3 cups of dairy in a day (4,8,9). A cup of dairy counts as:

A cup of milk.
It can also count as a cup of yogurt.
A cup of a fortified soy beverage.
It can also count as 1 ½ ounce of natural cheese or 2 ounces of processed cheese.

Oils

Oils are also important in one’s diet. They help provide the body with energy at times as well as insulate the body from cold. They are also used to transport fat-soluble vitamins through the blood (5). A person on this diet needs 34 grams of oil in a day.

What Amount Of Macros Should Be In Your 2600 Calorie Meal Plan?

There are three major macronutrients. These are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Different macros have different uses in the body. The calories in your diet come from macronutrients you take. When you say you are on a 2600 calorie diet, those 2600 calories come from these macros. Therefore, when a person says they are counting calories, they are pretty much only counting the macros. Micros are required by the body in such small amounts that people rarely count them. Macros on the other hand are required in very large amounts. There is a certain amount of each macro that is required in each meal plan depending on the meal plan. Here is how much of each macronutrient you should have in your 2600 calorie meal plan.

Carbohydrates

Carbs are used to provide the body with the needed energy. This is the reason your body needs carbohydrates in larger amounts compared to the other macros. 45% to 65% of a person’s diet should be composed of carbs (7). One gram of carbohydrates contains 4 calories. In a 2600 calorie diet, this is the number of carbs you need:

45% of 2600 calories = 1170 calories

1170 calories = 292.5 grams of carbohydrate

65% of 2600 calories = 1690 calories

1690 calories = 422.5 grams of carbohydrate

You need to consume between 293 grams and 423 grams of carbohydrates in a day.

Proteins

Proteins are essential to one’s diet. 10% to 35% of a person’s diet should be composed of proteins (7). One gram of proteins contains 4 calories. In a 2600 calorie diet, this is the number of proteins you need:

10% of 2600 calories = 260 calories

260 calories = 65 grams of protein

35% of 2600 calories = 910 calories

910 calories = 227.5 grams of protein

You need to consume between 65 grams and 228 grams of proteins in a day.

Fats

Fats are important for your body as they can also be used as an energy source when carbs are not enough. 20% to 35% of a person’s diet should be composed of fats (7). One gram of fats contains 9 calories. In a 2600 calorie diet, this is the number of fats you need:

20% of 2600 calories = 520 calories

520 calories = 57.8 grams of fat

35% of 2600 calories = 910 calories

910 calories = 101.1 grams of fat

You need to consume between 58 grams and 101 grams of fats in a day.

Those are the amounts of each macro you should consume in a day. This goes to show you how much care is needed in planning when you are dedicated to a meal plan. You need to make sure you meet the required amounts of different types of food as well as the required amounts for the macronutrients.

2600 Calorie Meal Plan And Weight Loss

There is only one secret when it comes to losing weight. You need to consume less calories than your body burns. This creates a caloric deficit which promotes weight loss. When it comes to weight loss, it is important to follow healthy ways of losing weight. Losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is a healthy way to lose weight. For this to happen, you need to reduce your food intake by 500 to 1000 calories. Reducing 500 calories per day means in a week you will have lost 3500 calories which is equivalent to one pound (3). Reducing 1000 calories per day over a week means you will lose a total of 7000 calories, which is equivalent to two pounds.

For a person to lose weight on this diet, they need to have been consuming more than this amount of calories before. Obese people can also lose weight on this diet. If you were taking in 3100 calories in a day, adopting this diet will promote the loss of one pound every week. It is important to note that weight loss is not a magical trick that happens immediately. You know, now you see the weight, now you don’t kinda thing. It takes sacrifice, discipline and a lot of patience. It involves changing your entire lifestyle. You will have to make a conscious decision at each and every meal for the weight loss journey to be successful.

For more effective results, you should combine this food plan with a good workout routine. A good workout routine could include cardio which promotes weight loss. It can also include strength training. Here you convert the extra fat into muscle. Muscles have a higher resting metabolic rate compared to fat mass. This boosts your metabolism and hence promotes weight loss.

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2600 Meal Plan And Weight Gain

Although most people usually want to drop off those extra pounds, there is another group of people who are underweight. If you are underweight, it is advisable to go about gaining that weight for health reasons only. The principle of gaining weight is opposite to that of losing weight. If you want to gain some pounds, you need to consume more calories in a day than the calories you burn in a day. This will lead to the extra calories being stored as fat which leads to weight gain.

People often claim it is easy to gain weight as it only involves eating as much as you can (1). This is not true, when it comes to gaining weight you have to check over what you are eating. Foods such as junk food and fast food can cause a person to gain weight quickly, but are they for a health benefit? No they certainly are not. There are healthy ways of gaining weight. To gain weight in a healthy manner you need to:

Eat More Frequently (12)

To gain weight, try to eat 5 to 6 meals in a day. This is especially helpful if you usually feel full faster. Instead of eating 3 large meals, divide your meals into 6 small meals. This enables you to eat everything on your plate without wasting food and also promotes weight gain without gut pain.

Choose Nutrient-Rich Foods (12)

Do not go for foods that only satisfy your caloric needs and not your nutrition needs. Aim for foods that will help you gain weight as well as keep you healthy. Go for whole grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, nuts and seeds.

See also

Fruit Diet for Weight Loss in 7 Days

Try Smoothies And Shakes (12)

Soft drinks are not considered healthy and so you should not add them to your diet. If you want to gain weight, you should try different shakes and smoothies instead. Make sure you combine only healthy products like fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, dairy products when making these shakes and smoothies.

Snack Regularly (12)

Snacking also helps with weight gain. Always go for healthy snacks.

The 2600 calorie meal plan could help you gain weight if you were consuming less than those calories in a day. If this is the case, adopting the 2600 calorie diet and keeping in mind all that has been highlighted in this section will result in you gaining weight in a healthy manner.

It is always important to remember that whether you want to gain weight or lose weight, speaking to an expert before you change your diet or workout routine is very important.

2600 Calorie Healthy Meal Plan

Creating a meal plan is not as easy as people think. Most people get stuck at this point when they are changing to a new diet. To get you started on your diet. Here is a meal plan for 2600 calorie diet (10):

Day One

Breakfast

1 serving of Fried Honey Banana

Contains: 1tbsp of coconut oil, 1 medium banana, 1 tbsp of honey and 1 tsp of cinnamon.

Calories: 292.5, Carbs: 46.4g, Fat: 14g, Protein 1.5g.

1 serving of Cheese On Toast

Contains: 1 slice of large multi-grain bread, 1 slice (1 oz) of cheddar cheese and 1 tsp of butter.

Calories: 257, Carbs: 18.3g, Fats: 15.1g, Proteins: 12.3g.

Lunch

Linguine with shrimp

Contains: 1.5 cups (cooked) whole wheat linguine, 1 tbsp olive oil, 6 large shrimp, 1 cup steamed broccoli, ¼ cup canned chickpeas

Calories: 471, Carbs: 78g, Fat: 11g, Proteins: 21g.

Dinner

2 servings of spinach, onion, mushroom, and bell pepper egg white omelet

Contains: 1 cup of mushrooms, ½ medium onions, ¼ orange bell pepper, ½ cup spinach, 2 cups of egg white.

Calories: 301.3, Carbs: 13.2g, Fat: 1.3g, Proteins: 56.5g

2 slices of buttered toast

Contains: 2 slices of whole-wheat bread and 2 tsp of butter.

Calories: 265, Carbs: 38 g, Fat: 10 g, Proteins: 8 g

Snack One

1 serving of scrambled eggs with spinach and mexican-blend cheese

Contains: ½ tsp of olive oil, 1 cup of spinach, 2 large eggs, ¼ cup of shredded mexican cheese.

Calories: 249.5, Carbs: 2.8g, Fat: 17.4g, Proteins: 20.4g

2 bowls of nonfat yogurt with sliced banana

Contains: 2 cups of nonfat yogurt, ½ cup sliced banana

Calories: 341, Carbs: 55g, Fat: 0.9g, Proteins: 29g

Snack Two

4 veggie-egg white muffins

Contains: 13/16 medium red bell pepper, ⅜ medium onions, ⅜ cup of mushrooms, 13/16 cup of spinach, ⅜ tbsp grapeseed oil, ⅜ oz mozzarella cheese, 3 ⅝ egg white.

Calories: 210.5, Carbs: 13g, Fat: 8g, Proteins: 21.5g

2 ounces of granola

Calories: 277.3, Carbs: 30.2g, Fat: 13.6g, Protein: 8.4g

Total Calories for the day: 2666, Carbs: 295 g, Fat: 91 g, Protein 179 g