7-Day High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan

Feeling sluggish? What you’re eating and when can certainly play a role. In this 7-day meal plan to have more energy, we include a week of high-protein meals and snacks with a focus on incorporating nutrient-rich anti-inflammatory foods. We map out regular meals filled with protein, which is broken down slower than simple starches, to provide lasting energy throughout the day. You’ll also find some meal-prep tips and simple recipes to get you going. If you’re looking to get a little more pep in your step, check it out!

Why This Meal Plan Is Great for You

Since protein is one of the main focuses of this plan, we prioritized protein-rich foods, such as poultry, eggs, strained yogurt, beans, cottage cheese and fish. It’s hard to feel energized when you’re hungry–and eating more protein can help keep hunger at bay since it’s broken down slower than simple starches and sugar. Each day provides at least 90 grams of protein. While protein is the focus, we didn’t skimp on another important nutrient that can help provide stable energy: fiber. Like protein, fiber is digested slowly and helps provide more stable energy. Each day provides at least 34 grams of filling fiber. To provide an array of nutrients, we incorporate principles of the anti-inflammatory diet. You’ll also find nutrient-rich ingredients, such as beets, berries, dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds and fish, all of which may help reduce signs of chronic inflammation.

This 1,800-calorie meal plan has modifications for 1,500 and 2,000 calories to support those with different calorie needs. While we previously included meal plans and modifications for 1,200 calories, we no longer do. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting your calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term health and well-being. Not eating enough calories can zap your energy levels, so it’s important to listen to your hunger cues. As with all meal plans, this is meant to serve as a framework for a healthy high-protein eating plan. That said, adjustments are welcome and may be necessary based on your routine, taste preferences and family size.

Strategies to Have More Energy

If you’re feeling sluggish, it’s important to consult with your medical provider as there are many health conditions that can cause fatigue, such as thyroid disease, anemia, diabetes and more. That said, there are some nutrition and lifestyle strategies that can help improve energy levels: 

• Exercise: If you’re feeling fatigued, exercise may be the last thing you want to tackle, but it may help boost your energy. Check out our 7-day walking plan for more energy to get started. 
• Get Better Sleep: Getting quality and adequate sleep is definitely the most obvious strategy to improve energy levels but arguably the most challenging for some. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. To make that happen, implement a peaceful sleep routine free of blue-light, and set yourself up for success by cutting back on alcohol and caffeine–two food groups that can disrupt sleep. Check out more expert-approved sleep tips to get better z’s. 
• Healthy Eating: Eat nutrient-rich foods that contain protein and fiber and implement a regular meal routine. These two habits can help prevent energy slumps and keep you satisfied in-between meals. 
• Hydrate: Staying adequately hydrated can help improve energy levels. Drinking water throughout the day and filling up on hydrating foods, such as fruit, can help meet your goals. 

Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Focus On

• Fruits, especially berries, cherry, pomegranate and citrus fruits
• Vegetables, such as dark leafy greens, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato and winter squash
• Whole grains, such as quinoa, bulgur, farro, whole-wheat and more
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fish
• Olive oil
• Avocado
• Beans and lentils
• Fermented dairy (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese)
• Garlic, herbs and spices

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

1. Make Mini Quiches with Sweet Potato Crust to have as breakfast throughout the week.
2. Prepare Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette to have as lunch on days 2 through 5. 
3. Whip up Garlic Hummus to have as a snack throughout the week.

Day 1

Breakfast (396 calories)

A.M. Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (447 calories)

• 1 serving Avocado Tuna Salad
• 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

P.M. Snack (194 calories)

Dinner (526 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,778 calories, 99g fat, 100g protein, 132g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,600mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 cup low-fat plain kefir and omit Garlic Hummus at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple with 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter as an evening snack.

Day 2

Breakfast (400 calories)

A.M. Snack (305 calories)

• 1 medium apple
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Lunch (397 calories)

P.M. Snack (194 calories)

Dinner (500 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,796 calories, 93g fat, 101g protein, 143g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 2,127mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Substitute 1 cup low-fat plain kefir for the Spinach Smoothie at breakfast and omit peanut butter at A.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds as an evening snack. 

Day 3

Breakfast (400 calories)

A.M. Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (397 calories)

P.M. Snack (201 calories)

Dinner (434 calories)

Evening Snack (152 calories)

• 1 cup cherries
• ½ cup low-fat plain kefir

Daily Totals: 1,801 calories, 84g fat, 111g protein, 164g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,944mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 medium orange and omit Garlic Hummus at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple to A.M. snack and 1 medium banana to P.M. snack. 

Day 4

Breakfast (396 calories)

A.M. Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (397 calories)

P.M. Snack (201 calories)

Dinner (426 calories)

Evening Snack (152 calories)

• 1 cup cherries
• ½ cup low-fat plain kefir

Daily Totals: 1,788 calories, 84g fat, 116g protein, 155g carbohydrate, 36g fiber, 2,166mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 medium orange and omit Garlic Hummus at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium orange to breakfast and 1 large pear to lunch.

Day 5

Breakfast (396 calories)

A.M. Snack (241 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
• ½ cup blueberries
• 1 Tbsp. sliced almonds

Lunch (397 calories)

P.M. Snack (176 calories)

• ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted shelled pistachios

Dinner (588 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,799 calories, 88g fat, 101g protein, 164g carbohydrate, 40g fiber, 1,854mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 cup low-fat plain kefir and change P.M. snack to 1 plum.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium orange to breakfast, increase to 4 Tbsp. sliced almonds at A.M. snack and add 1 medium peach to P.M. snack.

Day 6

Breakfast (400 calories)

A.M. Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (384 calories)

P.M. Snack (208 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
• ½ cup blueberries

Dinner (613 calories)

Daily Totals: 1,819 calories, 71g fat, 91g protein, 217g carbohydrate, 45g fiber, 1,622mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 medium peach, and omit yogurt at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 Tbsp. sliced almonds to P.M. snack and add 1 cup cherries with ½ cup low-fat plain kefir as an evening snack. 

Day 7

Breakfast (400 calories)

A.M. Snack (206 calories)

• ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Lunch (384 calories)

P.M. Snack (215 calories)

Dinner (471 calories)

Evening Snack (119 calories)

• ⅔ cup cherries
• ½ cup low-fat plain kefir

Daily Totals: 1,795 calories, 88g fat, 95g protein, 177g carbohydrate, 38g fiber, 1,622mg sodium

Make it 1,500 calories: Change A.M. snack to ½ cup blueberries and omit evening snack.