Low calories lunch and dinner ideas

What is your calorie allowance for the day?

I have huge spinach salads with mushrooms, tomatoes, bell pepper, broccoli, 1/4 of an avocado ("good" fat), sometimes slivered almonds (more "good" fat) and carefully measured salad dressing. Full fat dressing because the fat free ones are full of sugar. Plus chicken or some other lean protein. I usually eat this for BOTH lunch and dinner, with variations on the veggies and the dressing so I don't get too bored. Vegetables have a lot of bulk and fiber, so they help fill you up. Adding small amounts of fat helps fill you up and stay full longer, as does protein. Other options are additional high- fiber veggies like acorn or butternut squash. Sometimes I will have squash AND a salad and lean protein.

For snacks I am big on things that are NOT processed foods, like a piece of fruit (usually an apple, orange or a couple of mandarins) or a small handful of almonds. You need to be very careful with nuts because while they are filling and good for you they are VERY high calorie. Measure your portions and only have them for one snack a day. Sometimes I will have celery with 1Tbsp of peanut butter (low sugar variety). Again, be careful with PB because it is good for you but high calorie. I do not do both PB and almonds for snacks on the same day.