Sunday, November 10, 2024

My 14 favorite low-calorie dinners


Wholesome consuming doesn’t should be boring! Listed here are 14 of my favorite low calorie dinners, all clocking in at 500 energy or much less. Nutritious, scrumptious, fascinating and satisfying – no skimping on portion sizes!

January briefly!

January is getting away from me, with a “I’m taking a break!” declaration being considerably disrupted with work associated tasks which have come to fruition that want consideration. 2024 is trying to be an thrilling yr! Persistence has by no means been my best advantage so I exaggerate not once I say that I’m busting to let you know what I’m engaged on proper now however I’ll get in bother if I do.😂

So, I’ll most likely be just a little quieter with new recipes for the rest on January as I attempt to atone for life issues. Tax! Discover a house! Weeding!

However I needed to verify in and I believed I’d go away you with a few of my private favorite “wholesome” recipes (New Years’ decision and all that). What “wholesome” precise means is debatable however for me, it’s recipes which might be decrease in energy, decrease in fats, nutritious and balanced which often additionally means decrease carb. However, nonetheless scrumptious – in fact. And filling. Anyone can minimize energy with tiny parts. But it surely’s depressing.


My 10 14 favorite low-calorie meals

The order just isn’t indicative of choice! I really like all of them – although you’ll be capable to inform which of them I’ve an additional comfortable spot for. 😅

1. Fish tacos

410 energy for THREE tacos! Lime chipotle marinated fish pan-seared, flaked into chunks then stuffed into tortillas with evenly pickled purple cabbage and my pink taco sauce. You’ll not missed deep fried! (However while you do, Baja Fish Tacos are in my cookbook.😇)

Fish tacos

2. Scorching and bitter soup

I might eat this soup each single day.* It’s 100% me – large, daring, spicy flavours! Tofu, shiitake mushrooms, shredded hen in a barely thickened spicy-sour soup. 216 energy for an enormous bowl!

Close up of Chinese spoon scooping up Hot and Sour Soup from bowl

* I say this a number of occasions on this recipe listing. 😅 I imply it!


3. Moroccan stuffed eggplant

Oven-roasted eggplant halves topped with Moroccan spiced lamb or beef. 450 energy for 2 eggplant halves. BIG flavours, very satisfying!

Moroccan stuffed eggplant - spiced beef or lamb - fresh out of the oven

4. Gradual-cooker Mexican Hen Soup

Throw every part right into a gradual cooker and are available house to a hearty soup full of Mexican flavours that occurs to be wholesome! 352 energy for an enormous, cosy bowl.

Mexican Chicken Soup in a bowl, ready to be eaten

5. Crunchy Chinese language hen noodle salad

Asian slaw with shredded hen and crunchy noodles tossed in a superb Asian dressing. 100% munch-worthy and lunch-worthy! Nice meal-prep – simply hold the noodles and dressing separate (chopped veg and hen will final for days within the fridge).

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

6. Indian Eggplant Curry (brinjal)

Not for the faint-hearted!!! A really intense flavoured curry sauce with roasted slightly than deep-fried eggplant items, it is a low-calorie hidden gem with simply 250 energy per serving. Serve over basmati rice (200 energy for 1 cup) or cauliflower rice for a brilliant low-cal choice at simply 35 energy per serving.

PS We additionally make this on a big scale at RecipeTin Meals (400 servings!)

Close up of bowl of Indian Eggplant Curry

7. Pan fried seasoned fish

In the case of protein, white fish is my go-to once I’m making an effort to “be more healthy” as a result of typically talking, fish is healthier for you than purple meats. Increased protein, decrease saturated fats and the oilier fish (like salmon) is excessive in omega-3 (“good fats”). Whereas I’m a sucker for lemon butter sauce, fish seasoning is my go-to for a decrease fats choice – ~265 energy for a 180g / 6 oz white fish fillet like flathead, barramundi.

Serve with an enormous pile of roasted asparagus with parmesan and lemon (84 energy) or an enormous Inexperienced Bean Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Feta (166 energy) to spherical out your meal.

Freshly cooked flathead seasoned with homemade spice mix for fish

8. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cynics – please belief me. I’d by no means, ever, EVER share a recipe until I actually thought it was scrumptious! This can truthfully shock you. It’s TASTY! 288 energy for a meal-size portion.

Close up of Cauliflower Fried Rice in a bowl, ready to be eaten

9. Candy potato soup

Clocking in at 337 energy, creamy, dreamy, candy, savoury – and easy to make! It’s a house run.


10. Scorching ginger fish

A steamed fish to get enthusiastic about!! Simplified fillet model of the well-known Cantonese Steamed Ginger Scallion Entire Fish. 343 energy per serving. Serve over cauliflower rice (35 energy) for a low-carb aspect to take in the tasty sauce and a aspect of Chinese language Broccoli with oyster sauce (91 energy), Bok Choy in Ginger Sauce (81 energy) or for one thing extra substantial, attempt the Spicy Asian Zucchini (143 energy per serving – that is so substantial I’ve had it as a meal on quite a few events).

Pouring hot oil over Sizzling ginger fish

11. AWESOME vegetarian San Choy Bau (Chinese language lettuce wraps)

I don’t use the phrase “superior” in a recipe title evenly!! I’m on the mistaken aspect of 20 for that. 😅 My secret? Crumbled tofu. Cooks up and soaks flavour like mince! You may barely inform it’s tofu.

Close up of Vegetarian lettuce wraps - san choy bow

12. Vegetable tagine

A giant pot of Moroccan spiced stewy greens with chickpeas! And it’s even vegan. Yay vegans! 200 energy for a meal-size portion with out couscous, although you possibly can have rather less and serve it over couscous (253 energy per serving).

Vegetable Tagine ready to be served

13. Ratatouille – French vegetable stew

Summery stunner bursting with Mediterranean flavours! 158 energy per serving – so you may completely afford so as to add a hunk of crusty bread for mopping. (PS There’s additionally a baked model in my cookbook).

Ratatouille in a bowl with a side of crusty bread

14. Ceviche

I might eat ceviche each. Single. Day! 333 energy for a meal dimension portion. Serve with crispy baked corn tortillas (60 energy per tortilla) – spray with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, minimize into corn-chip dimension triangles. Bake at 200°C/375°F (180°C fan) for 10 to fifteen minutes, tossing midway, till golden and crisp (control them after the ten minute mark).

Close up of mound of Ceviche on a plate

There you go! 14 of my (present) favorite low-calorie meals – did you discover every part is underneath 500 energy together with sides? I hope you bought impressed with some new concepts!

For extra wholesome recipe concepts – a shocking variety of them truly – have a flick thru my Low Calorie recipe assortment. (Then you may spend all of your calorie financial savings on cake! 😈)

What about you? What are a few of your favorite methods to eat lean? – Nagi x


Lifetime of Dozer

The Butt Bark.

Captured by Kevin Case, Unleashed Northern Seashores.

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