The 7-Day Dairy-Free Meal Plan
Lactose-intolerant ladies rejoice! This high-protein meal plan can help you reach your goals — with nary a cheese shred in sight.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Seems like every clean-eating meal plan you see these days includes a ton of dairy — from Greek yogurt to sour cream to cheese and more. What’s a dairy-free athlete to do?
This dairy-free meal plan is packed with easy-to-make recipes that will reignite your love of food and keep you feeling full and satisfied. What’s more, they are rich in calcium and protein — the main benefits of milk-based products — to ensure you’re covered on all nutritional bases.
Dairy-Free Nutrition Heroes
Chia Seeds
These little guys contain about 18 percent of your daily calcium needs and are an excellent source of soluble fiber — e.g., the kind that expands in your stomach to promote satiety.
Quinoa
Not only is it naturally gluten- and dairy-free, but quinoa is also one of the only plant foods that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein (1 cup = 8 grams).
Hempseeds
Adding some hempseeds to your smoothie or fave salad is a great way to boost your protein the dairy-free way — just 3 tablespoons contain about 10 grams of protein.
Black Beans
A ½ cup of black beans contains about 7 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of fiber and a healthy dose of calcium for strong bones.
Edamame
One cup of edamame contains just shy of 20 grams of protein, and they contain about 18½ percent your Reference Daily Intake for calcium and 19 percent for potassium — both of which are needed for strong muscle-fiber contractions!
Dairy-Free Recipes
Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Makes: 2 Servings
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup plant-based milk of choice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 medium banana
- 4 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp hempseeds
- 2 oz chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
To a large saucepan, add quinoa, plant-based milk and salt and place over medium-high heat. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Divide onto plates. Top each with equal amounts of remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 516, protein 18 g, carbs 50 g, fat 31 g
Blueberry Chia Overnight Oats
Makes: 1 Serving
INGREDIENTS
- ⅓ cup dry oatmeal
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ¼ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- ½ scoop plant-based protein powder
- ½ cup plant-based milk of choice
- dash salt
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to a small container. Mix well, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Stir before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 287, protein 21 g, carbs 33 g, fat 9 g
Dairy-Free Fluffy Protein Pancakes
Makes: 1 Serving
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup high-protein pancake mix (like Krusteaz or Kodiak Cakes)
- 1 egg white
- ¼ scoop plant-based protein powder
- ⅓ cup plant-based milk of choice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients except maple syrup to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Heat a skillet over medium and coat with cooking spray. Pour batter in dollops onto skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve topped with syrup.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 234, protein 19 g, carbs 34 g, fat 3 g
Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Smoothie
Makes: 1 Serving
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz canned pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup plant-based milk of choice
- 1 scoop vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder
- ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ medium frozen banana
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp instant coffee granules, or to taste
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to a blender cup and blend on high until smooth.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 219, protein 24 g, carbs 26 g, fat 3 g
Day 1
Breakfast
- Quinoa Breakfast Bowl*
Snack
- 1 scoop protein powder + coffee or water
Lunch
Turkey Sandwich
- 2 slices low-calorie wheat bread
- 4 slices turkey deli meat
- 1 tbsp hummus
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 2 slices tomato
- 1 cup grapes
Snack
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 oz raisins
Dinner
Salmon Bowl
- 4 oz grilled or broiled salmon
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp teriyaki sauce
Day 1 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,652
- Protein: 115 g
- Carbs: 170 g
- Fat: 63 g
Day 2
Breakfast
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- ⅓ cup oatmeal cooked in water
- ¼ cup blueberries
Snack
- 1 oz mixed nuts
- 1 medium apple
Lunch
Turkey Roll-Up
- 1 low-calorie whole-wheat wrap
- 2 slices turkey deli meat
- ¼ cup avocado, mashed
- 2 slices bacon, cooked
- 2 slices tomato
- 2 lettuce leaves
Snack
- 1 scoop protein powder + coffee or water
- 3½ cups light popcorn
Dinner
Chicken Bowl
- 6 oz chicken breast, cooked and diced
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup mixed vegetables, cooked
Day 2 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,608
- Protein: 122 g
- Carbs: 158 g
- Fat: 63 g
Day 3
Breakfast
Breakfast Sandwich
- 3 egg whites, scrambled
- ¼ cup mashed avocado
- 1 multigrain English muffin, toasted
- 1 slice tomato
- dash everything bagel seasoning
Snack
- 1 banana
Lunch
Tuna-Avo Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (4-oz) can solid white tuna, drained
- ¼ cup mashed avocado
- dash everything bagel seasoning, or to taste
- 17 Wheat Thins
- ½ cup sliced celery
- ½ cup sliced carrots
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix together tuna, avocado and bagel seasoning. Eat with crackers and veggies on the side.
Snack
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 cup salted and cooked edamame (in the shell)
Dinner
- 6 oz sirloin steak, grilled or broiled
- 6 oz baked sweet potato
- 1 cup green beans, cooked
- 1 tbsp butter
Day 3 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,678
- Protein: 134 g
- Carbs: 154 g
- Fat: 61 g
Day 4
Breakfast
- Blueberry Chia Overnight Oats*
Snack
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup salted and cooked edamame (in the shell)
Lunch
- 4 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
- 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- 4 oz sweet potato
- ½ cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
Snack
- ¼ cup guacamole
- 17 mini pretzel twists
Dinner
Shrimp Pasta Bowl
- 1 cup cooked spaghetti
- 4 oz ready-to-eat cooked shrimp, peeled
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup steamed mixed vegetables, chopped
Day 4 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,714
- Protein: 121 g
- Carbs: 188 g
- Fat: 58 g
Day 5
Breakfast
Banana-Hemp Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- ⅓ cup dry oats
- ½ medium frozen banana
- 1 scoop plant-based protein powder
- ½ cup plant-based milk
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp hempseeds
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- dash cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to a blender cup and blend until smooth.
Snack
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 medium apple
Lunch
Chicken Wrap
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (4-oz) can chicken, drained
- ¼ cup avocado, mashed
- 1 tbsp red onions, diced
- 1 tbsp celery, diced
- 1 low-calorie whole-wheat wrap
DIRECTIONS
Add chicken, avocado, onions and celery to a bowl and mix well. Spread on wrap and roll up.
Snack
- 1 oz mixed nuts
- 3½ cups light popcorn
- 1 oz raisins
Dinner
- 4 oz pan-fried 99% lean ground turkey
- 4 oz baked sweet potato
- 1 cup broccoli, steamed
Day 5 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,688
- Protein: 134 g
- Carbs: 172 g
- Fat: 64 g
Day 6
Breakfast
- Fluffy Protein Pancakes*
Snack
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
- 1 slice low-calorie wheat bread, toasted
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- ¼ banana, sliced
- 1 tsp maple syrup
Lunch
Turkey Bean Bowl
- 4 oz pan-fried 99% lean ground turkey
- ½ cup cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp salsa
- 3 tbsp guacamole or mashed avocado
- ¼ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
Snack
Apple-Berry Smoothie
- 1 scoop plant-based protein powder
- ½ cup plant-based milk of choice
- ¼ cup apple juice
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- ice, if needed
Dinner
Chicken Pesto Pasta
- 1 cup cooked pasta
- 4 oz grilled chicken breast
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 1 cup mixed vegetables, steamed
Day 6 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,636
- Protein: 135 g
- Carbs: 189 g
- Fat: 41 g
Day 7
Breakfast
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Smoothie*
Snack
- 3½ cups light popcorn
Lunch
Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap
- 1 low-calorie whole-wheat wrap
- 4 oz chicken breast
- 2 tbsp Thai peanut sauce
- ¼ cup chopped lettuce
- ¼ cup shredded carrots
Snack
- 1 oz raisins
- 1 oz mixed nuts
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
Dinner
Steak and Broccoli Bowl
- 4 oz sirloin steak, grilled and cubed
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 cup broccoli, steamed and chopped
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Day 7 Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 1,559
- Protein: 119 g
- Carbs: 166 g
- Fat: 54 g