40+ Healthy Meals That are 500 Calories or Less

Looking for some healthy meals to kick off your week? Trying to lose weight and need some good recipes? Look no further! I’ve rounded up some of my favorites that are 500 calories or less.

Do you need to count calories to lose weight?

If you’re trying to lose weight, it can be hard to figure out WHAT to eat and how much. Ultimately, weight loss is about calories in vs. calories out. If you eat less than you burn, you lose weight.

While you don’t necessarily need to count calories to lose weight, it’s good to know where you stand and have a good approximation. I like to use this TDEE calculator with my Nutrition Coaching clients– it gives them a good idea of how many calories they need to eat per day to lose or maintain weight.

Why are these meals 500 calories or less?

I chose these healthy meals based on a standard diet of 2,000 daily calories. If you divide that into your meals, you get about 500 calories for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a bit left over for snacks. Your calorie needs may vary, but that’s a good starting point.

The following meals are filling, easy to make, and good for you! I’ve separated them into Dinner/Lunch and Breakfast, and each link takes you to the blog where the recipe is located. Make sure you give them some love!

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healthy meals that are 500 calories or less

Dinner/Lunch

Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes– Make and Takes

Sausage Spinach White Bean Soup– Damn Delicious

Broccoli Cheddar Baked Potatoes– Budget Bytes

Chicken Cacciatore– No Getting Off This Train

Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash– Peas and Crayons

Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken

Egg Roll in a Bowl– No Getting Off This Train

Fish Taco Bowls– Flavor The Moments

21 Day Fix Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken Sausage– Carrie Elle

Stuffed Peppers– No Getting Off This Train

One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies– Damn Delicious

Spinach Parmesan Pasta– Two Peas and Their Pod

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken– No Getting Off This Train

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese– The Foodie and the Fix

Beef and Brown Rice Taco Bake– Fit Mom Angela D

Slow Cooker Veggie Spaghetti– No Getting Off This Train

One Pan Maple Dijon Chicken– Simply Stacie

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches– Food Family Finds

Sweet and Sour Chicken– Finished With Salt

Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken– Life Should Cost Less

One Pan Skinny Chicken Alfredo– Tastes Better From Scratch

Broccoli Cheese Soup– The Foodie and the Fix

Hummus Chimichurri Chicken Wraps– The Rising Spoon

Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs– Cookin Canuck

Sheet Pan Chicken and Gnocchi– Family Palate

Vegan Buddha Bowl– Melanie Cooks

Grilled Cheeseburger Wrap– Organize Yourself Skinny

BBQ Chicken Pizza– Mama Loves Food

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Breakfast

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats– No Getting Off This Train

Customizable Baked Oatmeal– Confessions of a Fit Foodie

Make Ahead Breakfast Bowls– No Getting Off This Train

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal– Joy Food Sunshine

Copycat Egg Muffin Sandwiches– No Getting Off This Train

Six Healthy Chia Pudding Recipes– Andi Anne

Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes– No Getting Off This Train

Spinach and Feta Egg Cups– Served From Scratch

Morning Glory Muffins– No Getting Off This Train

Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl– Eat With Clarity

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal– No Getting Off This Train

Hearty Breakfast Bowl– A Thousand Crumbs

Easy Egg and Cheese Breakfast Casserole– No Getting Off This Train

Do you have any favorite healthy meals? Share them in the comments to give us more ideas!