Affordable Recipes under 400 calories

Eating well has a bunch of chili recipes under 400 calories that are very filling. Instead of anchio peppers I sometimes just add extra bell or poblano peppers.

You should check the recipe section! Lots of great recipes there!

You can buy just about any ingredient online. I don't know about produce/perishables, but everything else is available online. My grocery stores are older, small-town kind of deals, so I order a lot of stuff online.

On salads I go for just red wine vinegar with no oil because I like it that way!

Do you like soups? I make beef barley and it's very hearty and filling and a serving is only around 330 calories. It's a great lunch.

You control salad dressing by portioning it carefully. You still want a little oil in your vinegar to complete that salad and fill you for longer.

Lots of "diet recipes" may ask for fancy ingredients but you can substitute ordinary ones with very little change in texture or nutrition. Beans and lentils are always cheap, filling, and nutritious. One fancy food I keep on hand are dried shiitake mushrooms. They keep forever and I only have to add a little. I also don't skimp on my EVOO or my unsalted butter.

Sun-dried tomatoes - roast your own tomatoes in the oven
Bok Choy - cabbage
Almond/Cashew/Soy milk - milk
Fresh herbs - dried herbs
Cilantro - parsley
Green onions - onions and a little celery, or dried onion reconstituted

Here's a mix and match stir fry that can be made with the vegetables on hand.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361132463846616991/

A McDonald's cheeseburger is just $1.00 and it's about 350 calories.

Some of my favorite dinners are the easiest- Just ingredients themselves.

Tonight I'll have baked salmon and green beans. Usually I just boil them, but if I'm feeling adventurous I'll saute with garlic, onion, a little soy sauce, add siriacha and some sesame seeds.

I'm okay with salad, but it's never my number one choice. Here are a few of my "go to" recipes.


Minestrone:
I make minestrone using onions, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, wax beans, navy beans, brown rice (just make sure you have enough liquid in the soup to cook it), and low-sodium chicken broth. The combined flavors are magical. Even my 9-year old, who isn't a huge fan of all of these things separately, devours this soup. This website has a good guide to when to add veggies so that you can use whatever ones you happen to have around the house. http://www.harvesttotable.com/2012/03/making-minestrone-soup-kitchen-basics/


Slow cooker pork tenderloin chili:
I get the really large packages of pork tenderloin at the grocery store, split it up, and freeze whatever I'm not using right away. It ends up at a couple bucks a pound.

1 lb. 1" pork tenderloin cubes
16 oz. jar thick and chunky salsa (heat level is up to you)
2 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
2-3 tsp chili powder, more or less as desired

Combine everything in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until pork is tender.


Slow cooker vegetarian chili:
The sweet potatoes and cocoa make this really hearty.

1 medium red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
salt and black pepper
1 28 oz can fired roasted diced tomatoes
1 15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed
1 15.5 oz can kidney beans, rinsed
1 medium sweet potato (about 8 oz), peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces

Combine and cook in slow cooker on low for 7 to 9 hours or until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Black bean and carrot and onion soup or any variation of meals with beans are cheap meals.

1 cup of plain greek yogurt. Add 1/2 scoop of your favorite protein powder and mix. Drop in 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Approx 400 calories depending on brands of protein powder and yogurt....40+ grams of protein and some healthy fat.