December 6, 2024

50 Low Calorie Meals That Are Healthy and Filling

50 Low Calorie Meals That Are Healthy and Filling
1

Curried Fish Jicama “Tacos”

healthy fish tacos on a platter with glasses of seltzer
mike garten

Swap out corn or flour tortillas for a jicama wrap the next time you make fish tacos. This low-cal ingredient is still sturdy enough to support tasty fillings. And, at the same time, you can enjoy the health benefits of this high-fiber root vegetable—including a hit of immunity-boosting vitamin C.

Get the Curried Fish Jicama Tacos recipe.

2

Saucy Chipotle Pork Tenderloin

saucy chipotle pork tenderloin on plates
Erik bernstein

This lean cut of meat contains fewer calories than other types of pork (shoulder, ground pork, bacon, you name it). However, there is no shortage of smoky flavor here, thanks to a date-sweetened chipotle sauce.

Get the Saucy Chipotle Pork Tenderloin recipe.

3

Veggies on Sweet Potato Mash

veggies on sweet potato mash vegetarian
Erik bernstein

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4

Spicy Salmon Nori Wraps

spicy salmon nori wraps
mike garten
5

Chilled Honeydew Soup With Mint and Avocado

healthy chilled honeydew soup in a bowl
Lucy schaeffer
6

Ceviche-Style Passion Fruit Shrimp

shrimp and fruit healthy weight loss recipe
LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is another no-cook meal that’s good to eat anytime of year. It’s inspired by the citrusy flavors of ceviche, but features fully-cooked shrimp. While only clocking in at 233 calories, each serving packs in a whopping 27 grams of protein.

Get the Ceviche-Style Passion Fruit Shrimp recipe.

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7

Cauliflower Oatmeal With Sautéed Apples & Walnuts

cauliflower oatmeal with saute apples and walnuts
8

Spiced Tofu Tacos

low calorie meals spiced tofu tacos
ERIKA LAPRESTO

In just 20 minutes you’ll have a plant-based taco that delivers a good dose of protein (13 grams) and tons of amazing flavor, thanks to a mixture of chili powder, coriander, jalapeño, and poblano peppers.

Get the Spiced Tofu Tacos recipe.

9

Skillet Salsa Shrimp With Spinach and Feta

low calorie meals skillet salsa shrimp with spinach and feta
MIKE GARTEN

This surprising dish comes together in just 15 minutes and uses pantry staples like tomato sauce and jarred salsa to create a spicy, tomato-packed punch in every bite. Serve it with whole wheat flatbread or your grain of choice for a complete meal full of filling fiber and protein.

Get the Skillet Salsa Shrimp With Spinach and Feta recipe.

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10

Chicken With Fried Cauliflower Rice

low calorie meals chicken with fried cauliflower rice
PHILIP FRIEDMAN/STUDIO D

A cup of cauliflower rice has just under 30 calories, whereas the same amount of cooked white rice contains nearly 170 calories—so the vegetable rice makes a great low-calorie sub in stir-fries like this one.

Get the Chicken With Fried Cauliflower Rice recipe.

11

Parmesan Chicken and Roasted Tomato Sandwiches

low calorie meals parmesan chicken  roasted tomato sandwiches
ERIKA LAPRESTO

Who said you can’t eat sandwiches? Not us! Thin chicken cutlets, tomatoes, and arugula are layered onto a crunchy baguette, along with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a healthier take on a chicken Parm sub.

Get the Parmesan Chicken and Roasted Tomato Sandwiches recipe.

12

Chipotle Chicken Fajitas

low calorie meals chipotle chicken fajitas
BRIAN WOODCOCK

When you’re looking to up the flavor factor of your cooking—without going overboard on calories—take a look at your spice drawer. Here, ground cumin and chili powder work wonders on plain ol’ boring chicken breasts.

Get the Chipotle Chicken Fajitas recipe.

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13

Smoky Peanut Butter Chicken Tacos

low calorie meals smoky peanut butter chicken tacos
STEVE GIRALT

Yes, this recipe uses bittersweet chocolate chips for a spicy-sweet mole sauce you’ll be dreaming about long after dinner is over. This crave-worthy sauce comes together with the chocolate plus tomato sauce, onion, garlic, peanut butter, cinnamon, and chipotle chiles packed in adobo for a play on a classic you can make at home.

Get the Smoky Peanut Butter Chicken Tacos recipe.

14

Lemony Salmon Piccata

low calorie meals lemony salmon piccata
CHARLES MASTERS

Transform salmon with this tangy, white wine sauce made with bright lemon juice and briny capers. Serve alongside your favorite veg and whole grain to soak up all the saucy goodness.

Get the Lemony Salmon Piccata recipe.

15

Cilantro-Lime Turkey Lettuce Cups

low calorie meals thai turkey lettuce cups
Mike Garten

Blend together jalapeño, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, and cumin for a spicy sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Then, a quick stir-fry of spiced ground turkey makes for an excellent filling for this lettuce cup that combines cold and crisp with a warm and chewy interior.

Get the Cilantro-Lime Turkey Lettuce Cups recipe.

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16

Best Ever Shakshuka

low calorie meals best ever shakshuka
CON POULOS
17

White Bean, Tuna, and Roasted Pepper Salad

low calorie meals white bean, tuna, and roasted pepper salad
Romulo Yanes

If you’re looking for an effortless lunch you can prep for all week long that is low-calorie and high-protein then this is for you. Canned cannellini beans, jarred roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, mixed olives, and canned tuna are pantry staples that come together for a filling and flavorful meal.

Get the White Bean, Tuna, and Roasted Pepper Salad recipe.

18

Easy Tempeh Lettuce Wraps

low calorie meals easy tempeh lettuce wraps
GARTEN

Who says plant-based can’t be high-protein? The combination of tempeh, Greek yogurt, and quinoa brings 22 grams of protein to your plate for a low-calorie vegetarian meal that is handheld, super fresh, and comes together in just 20 minutes flat.

Get the Easy Tempeh Lettuce Wraps recipe.

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19

Salmon Banh Mi With Spicy Mayo

low calorie meals salmon banh mi with spicy mayo
CHARLES MASTERS

Pile a crispy whole-grain baguette with broiled salmon, pickled carrots and radishes, a spicy mayo sauce, and fresh cilantro for a sandwich you can bring wherever you want to eat—at a picnic, in the backyard, at your desk, you name it.

Get the Salmon Banh Mi With Spicy Mayo recipe.

20

Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw

low calorie meals grilled chicken with coconutlime slaw
DANIELLE DALY

You’ll want to make this coconut-lime slaw to serve with everything. Creamy coconut milk, savory fish sauce, and acidic lime juice are the flavor trio that brings red cabbage to life alongside simply grilled chicken.

Get the Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw recipe.

Headshot of Arielle Weg

Arielle Weg is the associate editor at Prevention and loves to share her favorite wellness and nutrition obsessions. She previously managed content at The Vitamin Shoppe, and her work has also appeared in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Cooking Light, MyRecipes, and more. You can usually find her taking an online workout class or making a mess in the kitchen, creating something delicious she found in her cookbook collection or saved on Instagram.

Headshot of Trish Clasen Marsanico

Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.

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