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!
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
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!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.