All 5 of these tasty recipes have under 500 calories per serving.
If you want to limit calories, the key is to ensure that the meal still fills you up with protein and healthy fats. All 5 of these recipes have at least 22 grams (g) of protein and are full of nutrients from vegetables, animal products, and beans.
To bulk up a meal without adding too many calories, consider incorporating ingredients like avocado, eggs, chicken, shrimp, tofu, beans, or lentils.
Low calorie Cobb salad
Salads aren’t the only way to eat low calorie foods, but they’re certainly one of the easiest. This low calorie Cobb salad cuts out the two most caloric aspects of a Cobb salad: the blue cheese and bacon.
Instead, it focuses on the meal’s healthier aspects, including avocado, chicken, hard-boiled egg, and cherry tomatoes.
If you’d still like to add a little cheese to your salad without adding too many calories, consider opting for feta cheese instead of blue cheese.
Steak, mushroom, and spinach skillet
If you need a simple yet healthy and delicious meal, this steak skillet is the one for you. Ready in just about 15 minutes, this might be a go-to recipe for weeknights.
This recipe is chock-full of vegetables, including mushrooms, onions, and spinach. It includes steak, but you can choose any protein you like or add chicken and steak to the recipe.
Additionally, if your goal is to save on groceries, you can opt for ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Just make sure to season well!
Turkey taco salad with homemade pico de gallo
Craving the satisfying taste of a taco but could use a lower calorie alternative? These turkey taco salad bowls are a solution. They can keep you full and satisfied all evening with fewer than 500 calories and an impressive 44 g of protein.
Plus, with only 13 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of dietary fiber, this recipe is low in calories and relatively low in carbohydrates.
It’s packed with flavor from a blend of spices and herbs and includes sour cream and cheddar cheese for added richness.
Consider choosing a more nutrient-dense leafy green, like romaine or spinach, when shopping for ingredients.
Tomato, orzo, and white bean soup
Soup is another way to keep calories low, but protein is essential to keeping you full. This cozy and delicious tomato, orzo, and white bean soup recipe has 22 g of protein and 14 g of dietary fiber.
It’s also a recipe for those hoping to cut down on their consumption of animal products, as this recipe is entirely vegan.
The recipe gets its source of protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients from the beans, nutritional yeast, and vegetables.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this recipe, like most soups, is high in sodium. To help lower the salt count, you can opt for low sodium vegetable broth at the grocery store. It’s also high in carbohydrates, so this recipe may not be a good idea for those with certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.
Shrimp salad with quinoa, corn, and avocado
This quinoa salad is a quick and filling dinner option that’s low calorie and high in protein and fiber. In this dish, the quinoa and avocado are the stars of the show.
Quinoa is a whole grain that contains protein, fiber, zinc, folate, and antioxidants. You can use it to make almost any salad more filling and nutrient-dense.
Adding avocado provides healthy fats, which support heart health by helping regulate cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation.
The avocado’s fat, the shrimp’s protein, and the vegetables and quinoa’s nutrients make this a well-rounded, satisfying meal.
Takeaway
If you’re looking to cut calories, these recipes can still fill you up and satisfy you. All 5 recipes can be ready in 40 minutes or less, making them great for weekdays.
You can also make one of these recipes in bulk on Sunday and have your lunches ready for the whole week. Meal prepping can help you stay on track with your health goals and get the nutrients you need throughout the week.
