Daily Targets

Target Amount
Calories ~1,390 kcal/day
Protein minimum (1.6 g/kg at 62 kg) 99.2 g/day
Practical protein target for fat loss + muscle retention ~115-130 g/day
Eating cutoff Finish dinner by 6:00 PM or earlier

This version is built for fat loss while protecting muscle, and it also leans toward cholesterol-lowering foods:

  • more oats, soy, chia, flax, edamame, vegetables, fish, and lean chicken
  • less emphasis on whole eggs
  • dinner is protein + vegetables only, with no starchy carbs at night

Important note on eggs: because total cholesterol is slightly elevated, this plan does not use 3 eggs per day. Eggs are no longer a default meal here.


Meal Order Rules

1) Before the gym

Have a small protein + carb snack before training to reduce hypoglycemia risk.

2) After the gym / breakfast

This can be sweeter and higher in carbs than dinner. Oats, smoothies, fruit, and yogurt work well here.

3) Lunch

Lunch can include carbs + high protein + vegetables.

4) Early dinner

Dinner should be protein + vegetables only. No rice, potatoes, plantains, dates, or other starches at night.


Meal 0: Pre-Gym Snack

Target: ~100-120 kcal with ~12-13 g protein and ~13-16 g carbs.

Option 1) Protein + Half Banana

Ingredient Amount
Protein powder 15 g
Banana 50 g
Water as needed

Macros: ~105 kcal | ~12.6 g protein | ~12.9 g carbs | ~0.9 g fat

Option 2) Greek Yogurt + Half Banana

Ingredient Amount
Non-fat Greek yogurt 120 g
Banana 50 g

Macros: ~115 kcal | ~12.9 g protein | ~15.7 g carbs | ~0.6 g fat


Meal 1: Post-Gym Breakfast

Target: ~395-445 kcal with ~30-39 g protein and ~45-65 g carbs.

Option 1) Oats Bowl

Ingredient Amount
Rolled oats 35 g
Unsweetened soy milk 180 ml
Protein powder 20 g
Banana 100 g
Blueberries 70 g
Chia seeds 8 g

Macros: ~444 kcal | ~30.0 g protein | ~64.6 g carbs | ~9.4 g fat

Option 2) Smoothie

Ingredient Amount
Non-fat Greek yogurt 150 g
Unsweetened soy milk 150 ml
Protein powder 20 g
Banana 100 g
Blueberries 80 g
Ground flax 8 g
Ice + cinnamon + vanilla + Splenda as needed

Macros: ~396 kcal | ~38.9 g protein | ~46.7 g carbs | ~8.1 g fat


Meal 2: Lunch

Target: ~420-510 kcal with ~45-52 g protein and ~37-48 g carbs.

Lunch is the best place for the day’s larger carb serving.

Option 1) Chicken, Rice, Vegetables, and Edamame

Ingredient Amount
Cooked chicken breast 120 g
Cooked rice 120 g
Broccoli 180 g
Edamame 60 g
Olive oil 5 g

Macros: ~511 kcal | ~51.8 g protein | ~45.9 g carbs | ~14.2 g fat

Option 2) Chicken, Potato, and Asparagus

Ingredient Amount
Cooked chicken breast 120 g
Cooked potatoes 200 g
Asparagus 200 g
Olive oil 5 g

Macros: ~460 kcal | ~45.8 g protein | ~48.4 g carbs | ~9.9 g fat

Option 3) Tuna Bowl

Ingredient Amount
Raw tuna 120 g
Cooked rice 110 g
Edamame 60 g
Cucumber 120 g
Seaweed 25 g
Olive oil or sesame oil 4 g

Macros: ~418 kcal | ~46.9 g protein | ~36.7 g carbs | ~9.6 g fat


Meal 3: Early Dinner

Target: ~360-410 kcal with ~35-46 g protein.

Rule: protein + vegetables only. The carbohydrate in this meal should come from vegetables only.

Option 1) Salmon + Vegetables

Ingredient Amount
Cooked salmon 110 g
Asparagus 220 g
Broccoli 180 g
Avocado 40 g

Macros: ~402 kcal | ~34.7 g protein | ~25.4 g carbs | ~20.7 g fat

Option 2) Chicken + Vegetables

Ingredient Amount
Cooked chicken breast 110 g
Broccoli 220 g
Asparagus 220 g
Olive oil 5 g
Avocado 35 g

Macros: ~407 kcal | ~45.4 g protein | ~27.8 g carbs | ~15.4 g fat

Option 3) Tuna + Vegetable Salad

Ingredient Amount
Raw tuna 110 g
Cucumber 180 g
Broccoli 180 g
Edamame 70 g
Olive oil 5 g

Macros: ~364 kcal | ~45.8 g protein | ~25.7 g carbs | ~10.6 g fat


Best-Fit Full Days

These combinations land close to the new target while respecting the meal-timing rules.

Day A

  • Pre-gym: Greek yogurt + half banana
  • Breakfast: Smoothie
  • Lunch: Chicken + rice + vegetables + edamame
  • Dinner: Tuna + vegetable salad

Daily total: ~1,386 kcal | ~149 g protein | ~134 g carbs | ~33 g fat

Day B

  • Pre-gym: Greek yogurt + half banana
  • Breakfast: Smoothie
  • Lunch: Chicken + potato + asparagus
  • Dinner: Chicken + vegetables

Daily total: ~1,378 kcal | ~143 g protein | ~139 g carbs | ~34 g fat

These protein totals are above the 99.2 g minimum on purpose. During a cut, that higher intake gives a better buffer against muscle loss.


Cholesterol-Lowering Guardrails

  • Default breakfasts are now egg-free.
  • Use salmon, tuna, soy, oats, chia, flax, edamame, and vegetables often.
  • Keep olive oil moderate and use avocado in sensible amounts.
  • Do not make 3 whole eggs per day a habit.
  • Keep the last meal lighter, earlier, and starch-free.

Simple Daily Rhythm

A good default rhythm looks like this:

  • Before gym: small protein + carb snack
  • After gym / breakfast: oats bowl or smoothie
  • Lunch: protein + carb + vegetables
  • Dinner before 6:00 PM: protein + vegetables only

Prep Rules

  • Prefer non-fat Greek yogurt, unsweetened soy milk, and lean chicken breast.
  • For dinner vegetables, use generous amounts of broccoli, asparagus, cucumber, salad greens, and similar high-fiber vegetables.
  • If hunger is high during the cut, increase non-starchy vegetables first, not evening carbs.
  • If training performance drops again, keep the pre-gym snack mandatory.