In search of low calorie meals? Attempt our dinner recipes for more healthy pastas, curries and casseroles, in addition to low-calorie lunch concepts like hearty soups and nutritious, filling salads.
Watching energy might be vital if you wish to drop some pounds, however that does not should imply you lose style. Low-calorie cooking additionally normally contains extra lean protein, akin to hen, fish and beans, in addition to extra greens and complete grains which can be stuffed with fiber. Collectively, this helps to stability blood sugar ranges, cut back sugar cravings and preserve you feeling full longer.
Our full low-calorie meals all fall below 500 energy. They embrace a lighter model of a pad Thai with zucchini as a substitute of noodles (take a look at our zucchini recipes right here), warming hen curry, and even a low-calorie lasagna. In search of a low-calorie vegetarian dinner? Attempt our vegan chili full of nutritious avocado, black beans and quinoa.
At Olive, we consider in a wholesome strategy to wholesome consuming. You will not discover us telling you what to eat, particularly what to chop out – we would relatively offer you all of the details to make your individual choices about what’s a balanced and nutritious weight-reduction plan that works for you. It is all concerning the pleasure of consuming – whether or not that is a fudgy chocolate cake, a colourful salad or a fast, low-calorie curry stuffed with flavour. So plenty of cooking and consuming enjoyable!
Listed below are some ideas for low-calorie meals
Use much less oil
A recipe might name for a drizzle of oil or a number of tablespoons, however you’ll be able to normally get away with a lot much less – suppose teaspoons relatively than tablespoons. A superb tip is to make use of a non-stick skillet as issues are much less prone to keep on with the floor. You may as well use water as a substitute of oil to fry components like onions. This may assist soften and evaporate the onion to allow them to tackle colour. In the event you use oil when frying, attempt including the components in a bowl first, earlier than drizzling in a bit of oil and mixing properly. You’ll discover that a bit of oil goes a good distance if you do it this manner. By first placing the ingredient within the dish after which drizzling it with oil, an extra of oil is commonly used.
Use lighter carb options
Carbohydrates are an vital a part of a balanced weight-reduction plan, however for those who’re seeking to in the reduction of on carbs, there are some nice options, akin to pumpkin leaves which can be nice in lasagnas, zucchini to make use of in stir-fries or pasta dishes, and cauliflower rice to serve. along with your favourite curry or chili. You may as well eat extra complicated carbohydrates akin to brown rice, quinoa, lentils, beans and oats – all take longer to digest and are subsequently thought of a greater supply of sustainable power.
Batch prepare dinner and freeze
Having a number of meals within the freezer helps for those who’ve had a busy day and want one thing fast for dinner. Many of those recipes are simple to double, so you’ll be able to put together a big portion after which divide into parts and freeze. Do not forget to label your Tupperware so you’ll be able to inform the distinction between a chilli sauce and pasta sauce! Our Hen Saga, Boeuf Bourguignon, Lamb Stew and Lentil Bolognese recipes will all freeze nice.
Low calorie recipes for dinner
Miso tofu soup
Do this miso soup with silken tofu for dinner – it is gentle, creamy and low in energy.
Wholesome beans on toast
Ezme, a Turkish-inspired pasta with tomatoes, bell peppers, onion and pomegranate molasses, provides additional taste to this low-cal baked beans on toast with a twist. It’s also low in salt.
Wholesome egg fried rice
Fast, simple and low in energy, take a look at this ginger fried rice with candy juicy crab for additional spice.
Wholesome hen stir fry
This shredded hen stir-fry from Nadine Brown is below 500 energy, however due to its contemporary, ginger taste and crimson chili warmth, it would not compromise on taste.
Balsamic lentils with pork fillet
Balsamic offers a bitter contact to our vigorous pork dish. This balanced meal with tasty lentils is excessive in protein however low in energy and salt – excellent for a weeknight meal for 4.
Wholesome vegan quinoa and black bean chili
Attempt our fast and straightforward vegan chili. This quinoa and black bean chili recipe is excessive in protein, low in energy, and vegan — however nonetheless tastes impossibly creamy. Attempt our vegan casserole, or click on right here to see our different vegan recipes.
Stuffed butternut squash with feta
Flip butternut squash into a colourful, low-calorie midweek dinner by topping it with rice, lemon zest, raisins, dill, pine nuts, and feta.
Gigantesplaki (Greek Baked Beans)
This Greek casserole dish is prepared in below an hour and is full of contemporary flavors, protein and fiber, making it a wholesome vegetarian meal thought with lower than 300 energy. Try our greatest Greek recipes.
Lighter pad thai
This pad Thai recipe is full of genuine Thai flavours, however with out the excessive calorie depend since we used zucchini as a substitute of normal noodles. It is very easy to make and prepared in lower than half-hour, excellent for a wholesome weeknight repair.
Extra like this
Hen saag
Our hen slaw recipe proves that you may eat wholesome with out having to overlook out in your favourite meals. It is lighter than common curries, however nonetheless filling and satisfying. Attempt our low calorie curry concepts.
Zucchini with pesto and balsamic tomatoes
Who wants pasta when you’ll be able to have zucchini in spirals? Attempt our simple ‘zucchini’ recipe, made with child plum tomatoes, garlic, pesto, pine nuts and plenty of zucchini noodles.
Hen satay noodle salad
Try our simple hen satay noodle salad recipe with crimson cabbage, shredded carrot and roasted peanuts. This vibrant crunchy salad is gentle, nutritious and prepared in an hour.
15 minute mushroom stroganoff
This tremendous fast and straightforward mushroom tarragon stroganoff makes for an incredible, wholesome weeknight meal, prepared in simply quarter-hour.
Chili-salt salmon with chopped salad
Give this fast and straightforward marinated chilli salt salmon a attempt. This colourful recipe makes a splendidly gentle and flavorful lunch.
Casserole pepper cod and chickpeas
View our spicy paprika-cod in a pan with juicy tomatoes. This straightforward tray bake is a simple weeknight meal for if you’re brief on time however nonetheless fancy one thing wholesome.
Spiced carrot-lentil soup
Want a warming, nutritious dinner? Make our simple crimson lentil soup recipe with calmly spiced curry carrots, stir with yogurt and serve.
Straightforward hen mole
Our cheat’s hen mole recipe makes use of a intelligent product that makes it prepared in lower than an hour, however nonetheless full of contemporary taste. Serve with rice for a wholesome dinner.
Vegan fajita bowl with cauliflower rice
Keep on development whereas maintaining a healthy diet with this vegan fajita bowl with cauliflower rice. It is fast and straightforward to make, plus it is vegan and 5:2 weight-reduction plan pleasant, nevertheless it nonetheless packs a punch. Try our vegan recipe concepts right here.
Spring greens shakshuka
A unbelievable recipe for a wholesome brunch. Shakshuka, historically a North African dish, normally consists of herbs, eggs and tomatoes, however right here we determined to combine issues up a bit… make it inexperienced and wholesome with asparagus ideas and fava beans.
Tuscan pork steaks
Our wholesome recipe for Tuscan Pork Steaks ticks all of the containers. It is filling, low in fats, low in sugar, low in salt and excessive in protein to maintain you feeling fuller for longer.
Damaged broad beans on toast
Not a fan of the traditional beans on toast? Attempt our greener, more healthy model, fava beans on toast. This recipe is fast and straightforward to make, splendid for if you’re brief on time and on a weight-reduction plan. Listed below are our favourite fava bean recipes to attempt.
Tandoori lamb steaks with chilli slaw
This tandoori lamb steaks with chilli slaw recipe is scrumptious, nutritious and excessive in protein, however low in fats, sugar and salt. It is an actual midweek winner.
Lentil ‘meatballs’ with contemporary tomato sauce
Lentils are an effective way to make a meal vegetarian. Swap these to your standard meatballs and your loved ones will barely discover the distinction. Plus, they’re prepared in simply 40 minutes – excellent for weeknights.
Want extra wholesome inspiration? Try our favourite zucchini recipes now…
