7-Day High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan to Have More Energy, Created by a Dietitian

Want more pep in your step? This high-protein, anti-inflammatory meal plan can help.

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a recipe photo of the Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette and the Crispy Salmon Rice Bowl
Credit:

Rachel Marek/Ali Redmond

  • This 7-day plan is set at 1,800 calories, with modifications for 1,500 and 2,000 calories.
  • Each day provides at least 90 grams of protein and 34 grams of fiber to provide stable energy.
  • This plan prioritizes protein and anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds and healthy fats.

Feeling sluggish? What you’re eating and when can certainly play a role. In this seven-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 more slowly 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!

Meal Plan at a Glance
 BREAKFAST/ A.M. SNACK  LUNCH/ P.M. SNACK  DINNER/ LATE-NIGHT SNACK
Breakfast bowl/ Cottage cheese & fruit Tuna salad & yogurt/ Bell pepper & hummus Salmon rice bowl
Mini quiches & smoothie/ Apple & peanut butter Salad & chicken/ Bell pepper & hummus Ceasar salad & chicken
Mini quiches & smoothie/ Cottage cheese & fruit Salad & chicken/ Carrots & hummus  Shrimp bowl/ Cherries & kefir
Breakfast bowl/ Cottage cheese & fruit  Salad & chicken/ Carrots & hummus  Chicken salad/ Cherries & kefir
Breakfast bowl/ Yogurt, berries & almonds Salad & chicken/ Pistachios Kale salad, sweet potatoes & beans
Mini quiches & smoothie/ Cottage cheese & fruit Bean salad & orange/ Yogurt & blueberries   Chickpeas & sweet potatoes
Mini quiches & smoothie/ Almonds Bean salad & orange/ Cottage cheese & fruit Halibut & quinoa salad/ Cherries & kefir 

Day 1

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

Ali Redmond

Breakfast (396 calories)

Morning Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (447 calories)

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

Afternoon 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

a recipe photo of the Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Addelyn Evans

Breakfast (400 calories)

Morning Snack (305 calories)

  • 1 medium apple
  • 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Lunch (397 calories)

Afternoon 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 unsalted dry-roasted almonds as an evening snack. 

Day 3

Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls

Breakfast (400 calories)

Morning Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (397 calories)

Afternoon 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

a recipe photo of the Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Fruit

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Sue Mitchell, Prop stylist: Skylar Myers,

Breakfast (396 calories)

Morning Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (397 calories)

Afternoon 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

Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Beans
Jacob Fox

Breakfast (396 calories)

Morning Snack (241 calories)

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

Lunch (397 calories)

Afternoon Snack (176 calories)

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted 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

No-Cook Black Bean Salad

Breakfast (400 calories)

Morning Snack (215 calories)

Lunch (384 calories)

Afternoon 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

4473516.jpg

Breakfast (400 calories)

Morning Snack (206 calories)

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds

Lunch (384 calories)

Afternoon 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. 

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 plum to A.M. snack and add ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted shelled pistachios to lunch.

Prep Ahead Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ​​Is it OK to mix and match meals if there is one I don't like?

    Yes! This meal plan is meant to serve as inspiration. It doesn’t need to be followed exactly to reap the benefits. When choosing recipes, we made sure to check the calories, fiber, protein and sodium to align with the parameters of this plan and be within our sodium limits. If you’re making a recipe swap, it may be helpful to choose a recipe with similar calories, fiber, protein and sodium levels. For more inspiration, check out these delicious high-protein recipes.

  • Can I eat the same breakfast or lunch every day?

    Definitely, it’s fine to eat the same breakfast or lunch every day. The breakfasts are right around 400 calories while the lunches span 384 to 447 calories. These ranges are fairly close, though if you’re closely monitoring your calories or other nutrients, like protein, you may want to adjust a snack or two.

  • Why is there not a modification for 1,200 calories?

    We no longer provide modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting 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.

  • What is the anti-inflammatory diet?

    The anti-inflammatory diet is similar to the popular Mediterranean diet. It focuses on a wide array of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds and healthy fats that may help lower chronic inflammation. It prioritizes foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as dark leafy greens, berries, beets and nuts. It limits refined grains, fried foods, added sugar and processed meats.

Tips for More Energy

If you’re feeling sluggish, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider, as fatigue can be a symptom of various conditions like thyroid issues, anemia, or diabetes. Once medical causes are ruled out, certain nutrition and lifestyle changes may help boost your energy. Regular exercise, though tough when you're tired, can increase vitality. Quality sleep—aiming for 7–9 hours a night—is key, so try limiting blue light, caffeine and alcohol to improve rest. Eating balanced meals with protein and fiber on a regular schedule can prevent energy crashes, and staying well-hydrated by drinking water and eating water-rich foods like fruit also supports sustained energy.

How We Create Meal Plans

Registered dietitians thoughtfully create EatingWell’s meal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see fit.

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Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

  2. National Library of Medicine. Fatigue.