In search of low-calorie meals? Attempt our dinner recipes for more healthy pasta, curries and one-pots in addition to low-calorie lunch concepts reminiscent of hearty soups and nutritious, filling salads.
Keeping track of energy could be vital if you’re trying to drop a few pounds, but it surely does not should imply shedding flavour. Low calorie cooking sometimes additionally consists of extra lean proteins, reminiscent of hen, fish and beans in addition to extra greens and entire grains that are filled with fibre. Collectively, this helps maintain blood sugars balanced, decreasing sugar cravings and preserving you fuller for longer.
Our full low-calorie meals all come underneath 500 energy. They embody a lighter model of a pad Thai utilizing courgetti as an alternative of noodles (check out our courgetti recipes right here), warming hen curry, and even a low-calorie lasagne. In search of a low-calorie vegetarian dinner? Attempt our vegan chilli full of nutritious avocado, black beans and quinoa.
At olive we consider in taking a wholesome method to wholesome consuming. You gained’t discover us telling you what to eat, and particularly not what to chop out – we’d relatively offer you all of the information to make your personal choices on what constitutes a balanced and nutritious weight loss plan that works for you. We’re all in regards to the pleasure of meals – whether or not that’s a fudgy chocolate cake, a vibrant salad or a speedy low-calorie curry that’s filled with flavour. So completely happy cooking and completely happy consuming!
Listed here are some ideas for low-calorie meals
Use rather less oil
A recipe could ask for a splash of oil or a number of tablespoons however you may often get away with utilizing quite a bit much less – suppose teaspoons relatively than tablespoons. A superb tip is to make use of a non-stick frying pan as issues are much less prone to stick with the floor. You can too use water as an alternative of oil when frying substances like onions. This helps soften the onion then evaporates to allow them to then begin to tackle color. If utilizing oil when roasting, attempt including the substances to a bowl first, earlier than drizzling in a bit of oil and tossing effectively. You’ll discover that a bit of oil goes a good distance when carried out like this. Placing the ingredient into the tray first, then drizzling with oil usually results in an extra of oil getting used.
Use lighter carb options
Carbs are an vital a part of a balanced weight loss plan however if you wish to go lighter on the carbs there are some nice options reminiscent of butternut squash sheets that are nice in lasagnes, courgetti for utilizing in stir-fries or pasta dishes and cauliflower rice to serve together with your favorite curry or chilli. You can too eat extra complicated carbs reminiscent of brown rice, quinoa, lentils, beans and oats – all of them take longer to digest so are considered a greater supply of sustained vitality.
Batch cooking and freezing
Having a number of meals stashed away within the freezer will assist if you happen to’ve had a busy day and want one thing extra-quick for dinner. Numerous these recipes are simply doubled so you may cook dinner an enormous batch then portion out and freeze. Bear in mind to label your Tupperware so you may inform the distinction between a chilli and pasta sauce! Our hen saag, beef bourguignon, lamb stew and lentil Bolognese recipes will all freeze brilliantly.
Low-calorie dinner recipes
Miso tofu soup
Give this miso soup with silken tofu a go for a dinner – it’s mild, creamy and low in energy.
Wholesome beans on toast
Ezme, a Turkish-inspired paste with tomatoes, peppers, onion and pomegranate molasses, provides further flavour in these low-cal baked beans on toast with a twist. It’s low in salt, too.
Wholesome egg-fried rice
Fast, simple and low in energy, take a look at this ginger fried rice with candy juicy crab for further oomph.
Wholesome hen stir-fry
This shredded hen stir-fry by Nadine Brown is available in at underneath 500 energy, however its recent, gingery flavour and crimson chilli warmth means it doesn’t compromise on flavour.
Balsamic lentils with pork fillet
Balsamic gives a tartness to our vibrant pork dish. This well-balanced meal with yummy lentils is excessive in protein however low in energy and salt – good for a midweek meal for 4.
Wholesome vegan quinoa and black bean chilli
Attempt our fast and simple vegan chilli. This quinoa and black bean chilli recipe is excessive in protein, low in energy and vegan – however nonetheless tastes impossibly creamy. Attempt our vegan one pot, or click on right here to see our different vegan recipes.
Stuffed butternut squash with feta
Rework butternut squash into a vibrant, low-calorie midweek dinner by stuffing it with rice, lemon zest, raisins, dill, pine nuts and feta.
Gigantes plaki (Greek baked beans)
Prepared in underneath an hour, this Greek one-pot is full of loads of recent flavours in addition to protein and fibre, making it a wholesome vegetarian meal concept with lower than 300 energy. Take a look at our greatest Greek recipes.
Lighter pad Thai
This recipe for pad Thai is packed filled with genuine Thai flavours however with out the excessive calorie depend as we have used courgette as an alternative of regular noodles. It is very easy to make and prepared in underneath half-hour, good for a wholesome midweek repair.
Extra like this
Hen saag
Our hen saag recipe proves which you could eat healthily with out having to overlook out in your favorite meals. It is lighter than common curries however nonetheless filling and satisfying. Attempt our low-calorie curry concepts.
Courgetti with pesto and balsamic tomatoes
Who wants pasta when you may have spiralised courgette? Attempt our simple ‘courgetti’ recipe, made with child plum tomatoes, garlic, pesto, pine nuts and a variety of courgette noodles.
Hen satay noodle salad
Take a look at our simple hen satay noodle salad recipe with crimson cabbage, shredded carrots and roasted peanuts. This vibrant crunchy salad is mild, nourishing and prepared in an hour.
15-minute mushroom stroganoff
This super-quick and simple mushroom and tarragon stroganoff makes for an amazing, wholesome midweek meal, prepared in simply quarter-hour.
Chilli-salt salmon with chopped salad
Take a look at this fast and easy marinaded chilli-salt salmon. This vibrant recipe makes a splendidly mild and flavoursome lunch.
One-pot paprika cod and chickpeas
Take a look at our punchy paprika cod one-pot with juicy tomatoes. This easy traybake is a straightforward midweek meal for whenever you’re quick on time however nonetheless need one thing wholesome.
Spiced carrot and lentil soup
Want a warming, nourishing dinner? Make our easy crimson lentil soup recipe with flippantly spiced curried carrots then swirl with yogurt and serve.
Simple hen mole
Our recipe for cheat’s hen mole makes use of a intelligent product to imply it is prepared in lower than an hour however nonetheless full of recent flavour. Serve with rice for a wholesome dinner.
Vegan fajita bowl with cauli rice
Keep on-trend whereas consuming healthily with this vegan fajita bowl with cauli rice. It is fast and simple to make in addition to being vegan and 5:2-diet pleasant, however nonetheless delivers on flavour. Take a look at our vegan recipe concepts right here.
Spring greens shakshuka
A fab wholesome brunch recipe. Shakshuka, historically a North African dish, is often comprised of spices, eggs and tomatoes, however right here we have determined to combine issues up a bit of… make it inexperienced and wholesome with asparagus ideas and broad beans.
Tuscan pork steaks
Our wholesome recipe for Tuscan pork steaks ticks all of the packing containers. It is filling, low fats, low sugar, low salt and excessive in protein to maintain you feeling fuller for longer.
Smashed broad beans on toast
Not a fan of the traditional beans on toast? Attempt our greener, more healthy model, broad beans on toast. This recipe is fast and simple to rustle up, excellent for whenever you’re in need of time and on a weight loss plan. Listed here are our favorite broad beans recipes to attempt.
Tandoori lamb steaks with chilli-spiked slaw
This recipe for tandoori lamb steaks with chilli-spiked slaw is scrumptious, nutritious and excessive in protein however low in fats sugar and salt. It is an actual midweek winner.
Lentil ‘meatballs’ with recent tomato sauce
Lentils are a good way to make a meal vegetarian. Swap these in your typical meatballs and your loved ones will hardly discover the distinction. Plus, they’re prepared in simply 40 minutes – good for throughout the week.
Want extra wholesome inspiration? Check out our favorite courgetti recipes now…
