Low calorie food would often translate to tasteless and something we’ll have to endure eating if we want to shed off some weight or maintain our figures. But worry not! There are meals that taste great, but are low on calorie count.
1. Scrambled Eggs on Rye Toast
This 250 calorie meal is an easy one. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Who says breakfast food can only be eaten once? It’s both filling and flavorful, the eggs packing a protein punch, and the rye toast that’s filled with fiber.
2. Greek Omelette
Another egg filled meal that only has about 206 calories, mix in an ounce of feta cheese, half a tomato, and spinach in a cup of egg whites in a pan and you’re good to go. An egg dish that has your added veggies.
3. Roasted Coriander Cauliflower
Cauliflower is filling on it’s own, as it can be used as a substitute for carbs, but to give it more flavor, roast it in the oven with some coriander and some onions. The best part is, this dish only has about 118 calories! Not bad, right?
In a roasting tin, toss the cauliflower, red onion, ground coriander and olive oil together with some salt and pepper. Roast for 25 mins, tossing occasionally until the vegetables are starting to brown. Toss through the coriander and serve.
4. Turkey Burgers with Beetroot Relish
Who says you can’t eat burgers? This low calorie alternative only has 183 calories per serving. Substitute the regular beef or pork patty with turkey, and regular wheat buns for whole meal pita bread. Best of all, you can make a lot of these babies and freeze them so you can cook them next time.
Tip turkey into a bowl with the thyme. Finely grate in the zest from the lemon and add a little seasoning. Use your hands to mix the ingredients well, then shape into 4 patties. Chill until ready to cook. Can be frozen for up to 1 month
Mix the beetroot with the juice from ½ the lemon, onion, parsley, oil and mustard. Grill, griddle or barbecue the burgers for about 6 mins each side and serve with the beetroot relish, lettuce and pitta breads.
5. Pesto Halibut Kebabs
Serve alone or pair with some couscous, these kebabs are both flavorful and low-calorie, with only 239 calories in a serving. Drizzle some pesto and oil over these and bring them over a fire. Yum! And to think it only takes 20 minutes to make!
Preheat broiler.
Place fish and bell pepper in a shallow dish. Drizzle pesto and vinegar over fish mixture; toss to coat. Let fish mixture stand 5 minutes.
Thread fish and pepper alternately onto each of 4 (12-inch) skewers; sprinkle evenly with salt. Place skewers on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Broil for 8 minutes or until desired degree of doneness, turning once.
Note:
If you can't find fresh halibut, substitute another mild, firm white fish.
6. Curry Tuna Salad
Quick and easy, this curried tuna salad is only 220 calories. Mix in a can of tuna, curry seasoning and 1/4 cup of hummus and there you have it. A light and tasty dish in a matter of minutes.
7. Peanut Crusted Chicken with Pineapple Salsa
This filling, yet very flavorful number only has about 219 calories per serving. Coat chicken cutlets in a mix of peanuts and breadcrumbs, cook for about 2 minutes on each side and done! Toss together chunks of pineapple, some cilantro and a red onions and there you have it.
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion combine in a small bowl, tossing well.
Combine peanuts and bread slice in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over chicken. Dredge chicken in the breadcrumb mixture.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until done. Serve chicken with pineapple mixture. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.
8. Chicken with Olives and Tomato
You really wouldn’t believe that this dish is only 161 calories! All you need to do is cook some boneless chicken breasts over medium heat for about 15 minutes, add in some tomatoes, olives, vinegar and a red onion, let simmer for a few minutes and ta-da! A meal that’s low calorie and yet so, so tasty.
1) cook chicken breasts in skillet over medium heat (12 - 15 min).
2) Add tomatoes, olives, onion and vinegar and simmer for until tomatoes and olives become soft (about 5 min)
3) season to taste and serve
2) Add tomatoes, olives, onion and vinegar and simmer for until tomatoes and olives become soft (about 5 min)
3) season to taste and serve
9. Low-Carb Crustless Quiche
With only 106 calories, this quiche is packed full of flavor. Great for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner! Just mix in cottage cheese, egg whites, broccoli, ham, low-fat cheddar cheese in a bowl, pour in a baking pan, and bake for about 45 minutes.
- 1 cup (not packed), non fat cottage cheese
2 cups egg substitute, liquid (Egg Beaters, or whites)
1/2 cup broccoli, cooked, chopped
1/2 cup ham, extra lean, (5% fat), diced
1/2 cup Cheddar or Colby Cheese, Low Fat, shredded
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Cooking Spray
Preheat oven to 375.
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour into a pie dish sprayed with Pam or other cooking spray. Place on cookie sheet in oven. Bake approximately 45 minutes or until center is just set.
Makes 6 servings.
Variations:
Substitute different meats, cheese, and veggies such as:
turkey bacon, sausage
reduced fat swiss, mozzarella, or feta
spinach, peppers, onions, asparagus
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour into a pie dish sprayed with Pam or other cooking spray. Place on cookie sheet in oven. Bake approximately 45 minutes or until center is just set.
Makes 6 servings.
Variations:
Substitute different meats, cheese, and veggies such as:
turkey bacon, sausage
reduced fat swiss, mozzarella, or feta
spinach, peppers, onions, asparagus
10. Vegetable Beef Soup
With the use of some leftover roast beef, you can make this healthy, 119-calorie soup in less than half an hour. Cook carrots and onions in a pot for two minutes. Then add the celery and leave to cook for three minutes. Put the heat on high and add the tomatoes and the stock, bring to a boil then reduce. Let simmer for 15 minutes then add the beef, cooking for three more minutes then remove from heat and serve immediately.
Coat a large, heavy saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Set over medium heat.
When the pan is hot, add the carrots and onions. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add the celery to the pan; continue another 3 minutes.
When the pan is hot, add the carrots and onions. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add the celery to the pan; continue another 3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and the stock. Turn the heat to high, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low.
Simmer the soup for 15 minutes. Add the beef, pepper, and Thai hot sauce, and cook for three minutes.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.
11. Breakfast Pizza
Yes, you read it right. Pizza! This healthy option for the standard pizza has only 203 calories. Take some dinner roll dough, turkey sausage or something similar, hash brown potatoes, fat free cheddar cheese with some grated parmesan and top with an egg mixture of milk, egg whites, salt and pepper for a healthy alternative to the standard greasy slices we all know and love. And contrary to it’s name, you can eat it at any time of the day too!
12. Pan Fried Sole with Cucumber and Tomato Salsa
Add a tang of flavor to some pan fried fish with a cucumber and tomato salsa. Weighing in at about 175 calories, this is a great way to get some vitamins and minerals while enjoying what you eat at the same time.
13. Raspberry Chicken Salad
This 200 calorie salad is really easy to make, whether on the spot or in advance for a meal the next day. Toss in greens with some grilled chicken breast with half a cup of fresh raspberries and you’re good to go. Dress with a teaspoon of olive oil, raspberry vinegar and half a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Top with chopped walnuts and voila! Lean protein, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats all in one!
14. Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit
A meal that’s on the sweeter side, this 185 calorie number is also good as a snack alternative. Serve with milk, or fresh fruit, or even yogurt, it’s sure to give you an energy boost as well as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that your body needs.
15. Chicken Noodle Soup
It’s comfort food, food for when you’re sick, and it’s also a low calorie kind of food. With only 152 calories per serving, this is also perfect for warming up on cold days and nights. It takes only ten minutes to prepare too.
16. Salsa Chicken
This 207 calorie meal is best served with long grain white rice. You can even personalize the salsa to your preference for a guilt free yet filling meal. Season boneless chicken breasts with taco seasoning, cook until browned on both sides and arrange in a baking tray. Add salsa, chiles, and cheese over the chicken and bake for 8 minutes or until the cheese melts.
17. Cottage Cheese Dip
That’s right, you can make a meal out of some cottage cheese dip, cut up vegetables and/or wheat crackers. Mix together a half cup of low fat cottage cheese with two tablespoons of fresh salsa for a 200 calorie meal that’s fun to eat.
No comments:
Post a Comment