16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (2024)

By getting three square meals a day, you daily calories pretty much spread themselves out on their own. But losing track of calories in one or more meals can turn feeling full into getting fat. Among the recipes below, not one exceeds 350 calories — and they're rich in satisfying nutrients such as fiber and protein. Make these at home and you're guaranteed to leave any critic pleased, not to mention trim. And to keep track of those sneakily high-cal foods, check out our exclusive report on 20 Foods With Way More Calories Than You Think.

Breakfast


Caprese Egg Bake

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (1)

Serves: 8
Nutrition: 323 calories, 18.6 g fat, 11.2 g saturated fat, 499 mg sodium, 23.7 g carbs, 4.2 g fiber, 5.7 g sugar, 9.2 g protein

Start your morning off right with this hearty egg bake. The addition of soft mozzarella and juicy tomatoes give this dish a gourmet feel; it's also packed with protein and fiber, which make it a good source of the energy that'll power the rest of your day.

Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (2)

Serves:4
Nutrition: 173 calories, 10.9 g fat, 2.4 g saturated fat, 72 mg sodium, 11.8 g carbs, 4.0 g fiber, 5.1 g sugar, 8.9 g protein

Have your pancakes the Paleo way. This autumn-inspired recipe will give you the strength of a caveman, thanks in large part to the orange superfood. Looking for more ways to incorporate this fall treat into your diet? Check out our 20 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for Weight Loss.

Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.

Goat Cheese and Pesto Veggie Scramble

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (3)

Serves: 8
Nutrition: 180 calories, 9.5 g fat, 3.6 g saturated fat, 126 mg sodium, 14.5 g carbs, 2.2 g fiber, 2.9 g sugar, 10.1 g protein (calculated for one tortilla per person)

This dish is sure to have you scrambling for more after your first bite. Although goat cheese and pesto add savoriness, it's the variety of vegetables that make these a healthy option for your most important meal of the day. Feel like splurging? Go for a second tortilla; you can afford it.

Get the recipe from The Creative Bite.

Blueberry Power Smoothie Bowl

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (4)

Serves: 2
Nutrition: 227 calories, 6.7 g fat, 75 mg sodium, 36.4 g carbs, 5.8 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 8.9 g protein (calculated without honey)

Power through your day after indulging in this breakfast smoothie that'll have you using a spoon instead of a straw. Regardless of how you eat it, it'll provide disease-fighting antioxidants in one of the tastiest ways possible. Have it as a midday snack, or make it for kids as a quick breakfast before school.

Get the recipe from Recipe Runner.

Lunch


Avocado Tuna Salad

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (5)

Serves: 6
Nutrition: 169 calories, 10 g fat, 1.7 g saturated fat, 154 mg sodium, 7.4 g carbs, 3.4 g fiber, 2.8 g sugar, 13.8 g protein (calculated without bread)

Tired of plain tuna salad? The small-but-satisfying addition of avocado in this recipe will boost taste as well as nutritional value. Whether you enjoy it on a couple slices of whole grain bread or just with a fork, it'll fill you up with the protein and fiber https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-fats) you need to keep going.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.

Quinoa Tortilla Soup

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (6)

Serves: 8
Nutrition:223 calories, 3.8 g fat, 0.6 g saturated fat, 477 mg sodium, 40.4 g carbs, 8.7 g fiber, 9.6 g protein.

Who needs cold weather to enjoy hot soup? This spicy stew contains the superfood quinoa, which is high in fiber and protein. Loaded with carbs (the good kind), and low in fat, this recipe will keep you full of only the right stuff. For more good carbs, check out the 25 Best Carbs for Weight Loss.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.

Thai Tempeh Collard Green Wraps

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (7)

Serves: 2
Nutrition: 311 calories, 23.4 g fat, 8.7 g saturated fat, 23 mg sodium, 13.6 carbs, 3.0 g fiber, 17.9 g protein (calculated with 6 oz of crumbled Tempeh)

If you've never been tempted by tempeh in the past, you will be now. This fermented soybean fights off cancer and reduces cholesterol to make for one heck of a vegan-friendly food. These Thai-infused wraps are packed with protein and flavor. Check out 29 Best-Ever Proteins for Weight Loss.

Get the recipe from Begin Within Nutrition.

Raw Zucchini Pasta Salad

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (8)

Serves: 1
Nutrition:268 calories, 24.8 g fat, 3.7 g saturated fat, 240 mg sodium, 10.7 g carbs, 3.0 g fiber, 1.9 g sugar, 4.8 g protein

The name of this dish pretty much spells out all you'll need to make this light pasta dish. High in healthy fats and low in sugar, this dish makes a great lunch for anyone trying to stay on a satisfying diet.

Get the recipe from Tales Of A Kitchen.

Dinner


Lemon Artichoke Baked Salmon

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (9)

Serves: 2
Nutrition:326 calories, 13.4 g fat, 2.6 g saturated fat, 281 mg sodium, 29.7 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 3.3 g sugar, 29.3 g protein

No catch here. This salmon recipe is swimming in protein with a taste that seems too good to be true. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that can do wonders for your metabolism. For other ways to speed up your fat-burning furnace, check out the 55 Best-Ever Ways to Boost Your Metabolism.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.

Truffled Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (10)

Serves: 4
Nutrition:165 calories, 5.2 g fat, 0.6 g saturated fat, 474 mg sodium, 20.8 g carbs, 8.2 g fiber, 6.1 g sugar, 13.8 g protein

Don't be fooled by the fancy title. This recipe hits all the right notes without being too much of a challenge. It won't take more than an hour to prepare this plethora of veggies and high-fiber foods. Make it for dinner and watch your kids enjoy their vegetables.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.

Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash Pasta

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (11)

Serves: 4
Nutrition: 248 calories, 12.3 g fat, 4.1 g saturated fat, 265 mg sodium, 28.1 g carbs, 0.9 g fiber, 11 g protein

Squash in spaghetti form gives you the look of a traditional dish with better taste and more nutritional value. With 28 grams of good carbs, this "pasta" will work great as a meal before or after your evening workout. Wondering what post-workout foods should be avoided? Check out 20 Foods You Should Never Eat After A Workout.

Get the recipe from Diethood.

Steak Fajita Roll-Ups

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (12)

Serves: 4
Nutrition: 269 calories, 11.6 g fat, 3.8 g saturated fat, 570 mg sodium, 11.4 g carbs, 3.4 g fiber, 5.2 g sugar, 32 g protein

Here's a sizzling favorite that may seem a little incomplete. Have no fear, though — the absence of the tortilla is on purpose. Who needs the carbs when you could just wrap all those hearty veggies in juicy steak? Complete with avocados, peppers, and onions, this steak dinner makes for an excellent source of protein. We promise you won't miss the bread.

Get the recipe from Diethood.

Dessert


Gluten-Free Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (13)

Serves: 20
Nutrition:177 calories, 13.5 g fat, 2.8 g saturated fat, 12 mg sodium, 10 g carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 7.1 g protein (calculated for 2 cookies per serving)

Have gluten-sensitive friends or family? Make this dessert recipe. These cookies make up for their lack of gluten with great peanut butter taste and plenty of protein that this nut butter brings to the table. For all you peanut butter fanatics, check out The 36 Top Peanut Butters—Ranked.

Get the recipe from Diethood.

Green Velvet Cake

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (14)

Serves: 12
Nutrition:107 calories, 2.1 g fat, 175 g sodium, 18.1 g carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 2.2 g sugar, 3.5 g protein (calculated for 1 slice per serving)

Ever wonder what was missing from your favorite cake? The answer might surprise you- it's spinach. Loaded with omega-3's and known to reduce the risk of heart disease, this leafy green has a place in all meals — even dessert.

Get the recipe from Desserts With Benefits.

Pumpkin Pie Pudding

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (15)

Serves: 4
Nutrition: 153 calories, 7.3 g fat, 1.4 g saturated fat, 179 mg sodium, 14.3 g carbs, 5.8 g fiber, 5.1 g sugar, 11.6 g protein

Looking for something as sweet as pie and creamy as pudding? How about pie pudding? This recipe actually has tofu as a primary ingredient, making this treat low in calories and high in protein. The pumpkin flavor is a bonus for anyone whose taste buds miss the fall season.

Get the recipe from Desserts With Benefits.

Homemade Spiced Almond Chocolate Butter Cups

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (16)

Serves: 9
Nutrition:187 calories, 16.9 g fat, 8.2 g saturated fat, 2 mg sodium, 10.7 g carbs, 4.2 g fiber, 3.8 g sugar, 5.3 g protein (calculated without honey and with ⅓ cup of Coconut Oil)

These light and spiced treats make for a great dessert or midday snack. Apart from the rich chocolatey taste, the coconut oil is the real trick here. From preventing Alzheimer's disease to treating cancer, this oil may not be a food itself but it is certainly super.

Get the recipe from A Beautiful Plate.

16 Filling Low-Calorie Recipes For Every Meal of the Day (2024)

FAQs

What can I eat everyday that is filling and low-calorie? ›

Protein and dairy
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

What is the most filling low-calorie meal? ›

Lunch and dinner options:
  • Salad with lean poultry or beans, vegetables, and quinoa.
  • Beef or lentil soup or stew with vegetables, peppers, and rice.
  • Whole grain sandwich or wrap with lean protein, leafy greens, and low-fat cheese.
  • Grilled or baked salmon with roasted vegetables and potatoes.
Nov 6, 2023

What should be the most filling meal of the day? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

What counts as a low-calorie meal? ›

“A low-calorie meal can be in the 300 to 400 calorie range for breakfast and 500 to 600 calorie range for lunch and dinner meals, and 100 to 200 calorie range for snacks,” says Vandana Sheth, R.D.N., C.D.E.S., F.A.N.D., registered dietitian nutritionist and author of My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes.

What foods fill you up without gaining weight? ›

A can of tuna, an apple with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter, a handful of nuts, a cup of plain air-popped popcorn, a half-cup of cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg all make excellent options. Though they do contain calories, they're high in protein, so you won't be tempted to overeat at your next meal.

What foods can I eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Let's take a look at some of these wonderful foods:
  • Celery. Celery is a vegetable that is made up of 95% water! ...
  • Broccoli. It is well known for the natural substance it contains – sulforaphane, which has an anti-cancerous effect. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries.

What foods can I eat and not gain weight? ›

15 Foods That Will Never Make You Fat
  • Zucchini Noodles. Zucchini noodles, also known as "zoodles," are a fantastic low-calorie alternative to traditional pasta. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries. ...
  • Greek Yogurt with Berries. ...
  • Oven-Baked Salmon. ...
  • Cauliflower Rice. ...
  • Watermelon. ...
  • Kale Chips.
May 18, 2023

How to lose 5 pounds in a week? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

What foods have no calories? ›

What are foods that have zero or low calories?
  • Black coffee. Coffee is rich in polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. ...
  • Cabbage. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that comes in various forms and colors. ...
  • Mustard. ...
  • Pickles. ...
  • Peppers. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Celery. ...
  • Cucumbers.
Oct 10, 2022

What fruit fills you up the most? ›

When it comes to a fruit that's going to help keep you full, avocados are one of the best and most reliable. "Packed with healthy fats and fiber, avocado tops the list," says Manaker. "The healthy fats may slow gastric emptying, which can help you feel satisfied for a longer period."

Is oatmeal good for you to Lose weight? ›

Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

How can I lose 10 pounds in a month? ›

We explain how specific changes might help you meet these goals.
  1. Try cardio for weight loss. ...
  2. Eat fewer refined carbs. ...
  3. Counting calories. ...
  4. Choose better beverages. ...
  5. Eat slowly. ...
  6. Add fiber to your diet. ...
  7. Eat a high protein breakfast. ...
  8. Get enough sleep every night.
Jun 30, 2023

How to reduce belly fat? ›

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

How can I eat 1200 calories a day and feel full? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and other similar vegetables are high in fiber and water. Adding these non-starchy vegetables to your lunch and dinner can help you feel full. If you need some dinner plans, you could make salmon, a baked potato, and vegetables like green beans or carrots.

What foods make up 1200 calories a day? ›

Another example of a 1,200-calorie-a-day diet:
  • Breakfast. One serving of whole-grain toast (100 calories) Two eggs (140 calories) ...
  • Lunch. Three ounces of grilled chicken breast (120 calories) One cup of steamed broccoli (55 calories) ...
  • Dinner. Three ounces of fish (120 calories) One cup of mixed greens (5 calories)
Jan 24, 2023

How can I eat 1,200 calories a day and not lose weight? ›

If you're not losing weight despite following a 1200 calorie diet, it could be for any number of reasons. You might be underestimating how many calories you consume, the scale might be masking fat loss or you could be eating the calories you burn from exercise.

How can I eat 500 calories a day and feel full? ›

Some low-calorie, high-volume foods that can help you feel full on a 500-calorie diet include non-starchy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, and bell peppers. These foods are high in fiber and water content, which can help fill you up without adding a lot of calories.

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