80 Low-Calorie Dinners for Weight Loss (2024)

80 Low-Calorie Dinners, including healthy, easy, quick, filling, and under 400, 300, 200, and 100-calorie meals for weight loss.

Do you want to feel lighter or need to shed some pounds for health reasons? These low-calorie meals can lend you a hand!

But when choosing any of these low-calorie dinners, make sure they fit whatever your dietary needs are by checking their nutritional information first and foremost.

It is well-known there is no cookie-cutter diet that fits everyone's needs because our bodies, healthy conditions, and lifestyles are different.

But whatever diet you follow, in order to lose weight you need to:

1. Have some deficit of calories ( eat fewer calories than your body expends);
2. Avoid insulin peeks (it can cause fat storage).

How Many Calories per Day do You Need to Eat in Order to Lose Weight?

To maintain their weight, a woman usually needs to eat around 2,000 calories per day while a man needs 2,500 calories.

Of course, these numbers vary depending on certain factors such as age, height, metabolism, and level of activity (exercise).

Considering everyone's body is different, the correct answer is in order to lose weight you need to eat fewer calories than you usually consume on weight maintenance.

Thus, some lose weight under 1800-1500 calories while others need to eat about 1200 calories.

20 Low-Calorie Foods for Weight Loss

If you’re looking to lose weight, you need to start by selecting the best ingredients you’ll eat.

Before thinking about low-calorie dinner recipes, you must understand that some ingredients are more suited to control your weight and help you live a healthy life.

Below, you’ll find 4 options vegetables, whole grains, protein-rich foods, unsaturated fats, and dairy products with relatively low calories.

These are just a few examples, as there are many more low-calorie foods available.

When looking for low-calorie swaps for your current diet, it’s a great idea to refer to our list below.

Vegetables

• Cauliflower: 23 calories per 100g
• Broccoli: 34 calories per 100g
• Celery: 14 calories per 100g
• Artichoke: 47 calories per 100g

Whole-Grain

• Brown Rice: 112 calories per 100g
• Lentils: 116 calories per 100g
• Quinoa: 120 calories per 100g
• Couscous: 184 calories per 100g

Proteins

• Egg Whites: 43 calories per 100g
• Chicken Breast: 165 calories per 100g
• White-fleshed Fish (tilapia): 129 calories per 100g
• Salmon: 206 calories per 100g

Fats

• Whole Eggs: 155 calories per 100g
• Avocado: 160 calories per 100g
• Chia Seeds: 486 calories per 100g
• Nuts: 607 calories per 100g

Dairy

• Skim Milk: 34 calories per 100g
• Nonfat Plain Yogurt: 56 calories per 100g
• Nonfat Cottage Cheese: 85 calories per 100g
• Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese: 254 calories per 100g

Source: Calories.info

Get our low-calorie food chart below!

Healthy Low-Calorie Dinners

For those looking to cut down on calories without sacrificing taste, whole grain dinners are a great option.

Quinoa, bulgur, barley, and oats are all healthy grains that can help control blood sugar levels and provide plenty of fiber.

Low-carb vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, zucchini, celery, and cauliflower are also great for filling you up without adding a lot of calories.

Moreover, lean protein sources like skinless chicken breast and fish are a healthy way to get the nutrients you need without loading up on saturated fat.

By using mostly unprocessed ingredients that are either complex carbs or low carb and lean protein in moderate portions, you may have a chance to be getting a healthy low-calorie meal.

Many of these healthy meals can be Whole30, Vegan/Vegetarian, Paleo, or Low Carb.

Healthy low-calorie dinners are perfect for those trying to lose weight or control a health condition like diabetes.

Check them out:

• Shrimp Thai noodles
• Penne Pomodoro (Keto)
• Turkey meatloaf with potatoes and asparagus
• Quinoa sushi salad
• Chipotle chicken avocado stuffed peppers
• Savory sweet potato salad
• Roasted balsamic chicken thighs and vegetables
• Baked lemon chicken tenders with tomatoes and zucchini
• Vegan spinach quiche
• Zucchini noodles with sun-dried tomatoes

Easy Low-Calorie Dinners

When it comes to easy low-calorie dinner recipes, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Most of them require no more than 10 ingredients and can be made in a matter of minutes.

And best of all, they're easy to follow in afew steps- even if you don't have cooking skills.

These low-calorie meal ideas below can give you a great dinner night and will not demand hours of your time.

So, if you're looking for a healthy and simple low-calorie meal that won't take hours to make, here are some options that are sure to please.

Check them out:

• Cabbage and sausage recipe
• Baked chicken thighs
• Keto ranch chicken thighs
• Instant Pot whole chicken
• Baked chicken breast
• Carne asada tacos
• Air fryer lamb chops
• Beet goat cheese salad
• Easy omelette
• Marinated Greek chicken breast

Quick Low-Calorie Meals

Quick low calorie meal ideas are lifesavers for busy weeknights.

They can be put together in a matter of minutes and don't require hours of simmering or roasting.

These quick low calorie dinners are also healthier than takeout or delivery since you can control the ingredients and make sure they're fresh.

The low-calorie meal ideas below can warm you after a long day of work without demanding more energy.

They’re quick and easy to make, as you’ll be able to see.

And if you're really short on time, you can even prepare quick low-calorie meals ahead of time and freeze them for later.

So if you're looking for quick low calorie dinner ideas that will help you get dinner on the table fast, check out these recipes.

You'll find great options that can be on the table in 30 minutes or less!

Check them out:

• Honey garlic butter shrimp
• Air fryer chicken thighs
• Weight Watchers chicken tortilla soup
• Air fryer chicken legs
• Skirt steak
• Grilled flank steak
• Steak and eggs
• Vegan mushroom stroganoff
• Turmeric lime chicken
• Shrimp fajitas

Low-Calorie Filling Meals

Trying to slim down? You might be surprised to learn that there are plenty of low-calorie filling meals out there that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

Most of these meals contain high levels of fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full longer.

These low-calorie filling dinners contain legumes such as split peas, black beans, lentils, and chickpeas are all great sources of fiber.

Also, you can find low-calorie dinner recipes that include veggies such as artichoke, cabbage, pumpkin, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.

And don't forget about healthy proteins! Foods like salmon, eggs, and skinless chicken breast are all great sources of protein that can help to keep you feeling full longer.

So if you're looking for low-calorie filling meals that will help you lose weight, be sure to include these healthy options in your diet!

Check them out:

• Instant Pot stuffed acorn squash
• Cauliflower curry soup
• Ham and cabbage soup
• Baked blackened salmon
• Vegetarian feijoada
• Instant Pot red lentil curry
• Instant Pot chana dal
• Portobello mushroom fajitas
• Instant Pot chickpea curry
• Whole masoor dal brown lentils

Low-Calorie Meals for Weight Loss

Trying to control your daily calorie intake can be a daunting task, especially if you're not used to low-calorie dinners.

There are a lot of different low-calorie diets out there, but one of the easiest ways to make sure you're getting enough nutrients is to choose a low-calorie meal plan that fits your lifestyle.

Whether you're looking for vegetarian or vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, high protein, low carb or keto, lean or low fat, or Mediterranean meals, there are many options available below!

And while some low-calorie diets might sound boring, there are plenty of delicious and satisfying low-calorie dinner recipes out there that will help you reach your goals.

So if you're looking to cut down on calories, don't be discouraged – with a little planning, you can still enjoy tasty and nutritious low-calorie dinners that will leave you feeling full.

Check out our low-calorie dinners below, according to their number of calories.

400 Calorie Meals

For many people, eating low-calorie dinners is an effective way to control their weight.

There are a variety of low-calorie dinners that can be both delish and nutritious.

These meals are often under 400 calories, making them a great option for those on a weight loss diet or trying to control their daily calorie intake.

In addition to being low in calories, these meals are also low in fat and high in protein, both of which are essential for a healthy diet.

So if you're looking for tasty low-calorie dinner recipes, there are plenty of great options to choose from below!

Check them out:

• Honey soy chicken (338 calories)
• Pan-seared pork chops (389 calories)
• Pressure cooker pulled pork (329 calories)
• Keto Cajun dirt rice (366 calories)
• Low carb sushi bowl (384 calories)
• Low carb coconut shrimp curry (387 calories)
• Slow cooker chicken thighs (393 calories)
• Instant Pot French onion soup (328 calories)
• Brazilian beef stew (379 calories)
• Slow cooker beef stroganoff (387 calories)
• Slow cooker pork stroganoff (319 calories)

Meals Under 300 Calories

If you're trying to lose weight or simply watching your calorie intake, you'll want to make sure you eat low-calorie dinners.

Meals under 300 calories are a great way to enjoy a healthy and filling meal without going over your daily calorie limit.

These recipes below are sure to be low-calorie dinner recipes that are perfect for you!

Check them out:

• Honey Mustard Chicken (220 calories)
• Air fryer salmon (288 calories)
• Air fryer shrimp (234 calories)
• Shrimp coconut fried rice (275 calories.)
• Panera autumn squash soup (271 calories)
• Vegan pinto bean tostadas (248 calories)
• Instant Pot ground beef (262 calories)
• Cilantro lime avocado chicken (292 calories)
• Aubergine and chickpea curry (220 calories)
• Vegan butternut squash risotto (278 calories)

Meals Under 200 Calories

If you really need to cut down calories and lose weight faster, these meals under 200 calories are for you!

There are plenty of yummy low-calorie dinner ideas under 200 calories that won't break your daily caloric budget.

They’re the perfect option if you’re looking for low-calorie meal ideas!

Check them out:

• Mushroom curry (174 calories)
• Spicy shrimp tacos (171 calories)
• One sheet pan parmesan shrimp and asparagus (159 calories)
• Vegan creamy pumpkin soup (164 calories)
• Instant Pot potato leek soup (190 calories)
• Instant Pot moong dal (157 calories)
• Basil tofu stir-fry (174 calories)
• Leek and scrambled tofu sabzi (108 calories)
• Vegan green lentil soup (163 calories)
• Keto lemon baked cod fish (145 calories)

100-Calorie Meals

Trying to lose weight can be a challenge, this is why we have low-calorie dinner recipes that are 100 calories and under.

Below, there are plenty of delish 100-calorie dinners that are both easy to prepare and sating.

Most of them are breakfast recipes served at dinner, but they’ll comfort you after a hard day of work just the same!

Indeed, breakfast foods like oatmeal and eggs are perfect for dinner as well as high-protein smoothies and diet soups.

With a little planning, you can enjoy a tasty, low-calorie dinner that won't ruin your diet. Just pick one below!

Check them out:

• Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe (70 calories)
• Broiled pork chops (100 calories)
• Best homemade Margherita pizza (100 calories)
• Air fryer tilapia (28 calories)
• Healthy tomato soup (42 calories)
• Rice paper dumplings (79 calories)
• Lecso (98 calories)
• Keto mixed berry smoothie (96 calories)

Tips for Preparing Low-Calorie Recipes for Weight Loss

1. Legumes such as chickpeas and black beans make a great alternative to grains.
2. Choose a lean protein such as skinless chicken or seafood and cook accordingly!
3. Add at least one or a variety of vegetables to your meal. If you are on a low carb diet, choose among low-carb veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, etc. Some can be either cooked or eaten raw!
4. Make sure to season everything quite well. Spices (e.g. keto taco seasoning) and some acidic foods such as fresh lemon juice are some of your best friends to boost flavor! They are also low in calories.
5. Use low to moderate amounts of healthy fats to cook your food such as olive oil.
6. Baking or roasting, steaming, poaching, air frying, and grilling are some of the best cooking methods for lean cooking that will cut down on calories because you’ll need little to no fat to cook.

How to Store Low-Calorie Dinners for Weight Loss

Store most meals containing animal protein, grains, legumes, and/or veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Most of them can be frozen for up to 2 months, except most containing dairy or shrimp because it may alter the texture of the dish after re-heating.

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PIN & ENJOY!