Lunch under 500 calories or less

camsim
camsim Posts: 3 Member
edited December 1 in Food and Nutrition
Hi anyone want to give me recipes for under 500 calories for my lunch or even 400 calories would be better thanks
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Replies

  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I have a can of Progresso chicken rice soup for lunch today. The whole can is 200 calories. I left my crackers at home or my lunch would be 340 calories.
    I can also make a salad with my favorite veggies and chicken or tuna for less than 400. I'll probably do that tomorrow.
  • onefitproject
    onefitproject Posts: 11 Member
    What/where do u like to eat? Chicken, beef, vegetarian, McDonald's, subway, Panda Express? Just about every lunch I eat is under 400 cals a day. Very easy to do, let me know what u like, add me and view my lunch profile :D
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    My lunches at work are usually under 400 calories. I often get the salad bowls from the grocery store that are around 280 calories (depending on the style) and they are delicious. I keep Amy's frozen meals (the only frozen meals I actually enjoy and they are about 380-480 calories) in the work freezer too for when I don't have a salad or don't bring left overs from home.
  • Tenster
    Tenster Posts: 278 Member
    500 is a hefty amount of calories especially if your eating healthy food. It also depends how many carbs you want to have. I stay away from carbs until post workout.

    Chicken breast , lean steak mince, turkey steaks, chicken sausages , eggs.

    If you have carbs ... Brown rice, quinoa , rice noodles etc
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    My lunches at work are usually under 400 calories. I often get the salad bowls from the grocery store that are around 280 calories (depending on the style) and they are delicious. I keep Amy's frozen meals (the only frozen meals I actually enjoy and they are about 380-480 calories) in the work freezer too for when I don't have a salad or don't bring left overs from home.

    Amy's frozen meals are my usual go-to for my lunch during work days. All under 500 calories and they taste awesome!

  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    My lunch today...

    q7xfpfx5hhzt.jpg
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    My lunches at work are usually under 400 calories. I often get the salad bowls from the grocery store that are around 280 calories (depending on the style) and they are delicious. I keep Amy's frozen meals (the only frozen meals I actually enjoy and they are about 380-480 calories) in the work freezer too for when I don't have a salad or don't bring left overs from home.

    Amy's frozen meals are my usual go-to for my lunch during work days. All under 500 calories and they taste awesome!

    I've only had one that I didn't absolutely love (one of the Indian styles)!!
  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    I have burrito bowls all varieties I make are under 500 cals and close to or lower than 400. Tortilla pizzas mine are under 300 cals. Deli sandwiches usually under 300 but, always under 400. Grilled chicken and veggies.
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    My lunch today...

    q7xfpfx5hhzt.jpg

    Sounds delicious.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    My lunch today...

    q7xfpfx5hhzt.jpg

    Sounds delicious.
    Super easy too...
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
    My diary is open, feel free to take a peek. My lunch today is less than 450 calories - 2 medium eggs fried in butter, 3 pieces bacon, 1.5 oz cheese
  • getfitkas
    getfitkas Posts: 3 Member
    Today I'm having a banana with a tablespoon of peanut butter, and a mango Chipotle salmon wrap with some cheese and veggies in it. It comes just short of 500 calories but just the wrap is around 300.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    I meal-prepped 5 days worth of Mexican Turkey Quinoa Skillet, and it is amazing (and super easy):

    1 lb ground turkey
    1 (15 oz can) black beans
    1 cup corn kernels
    1 (15 oz can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
    1 diced jalapeno (optional)
    0.5 cup quinoa, rinsed
    0.5 cup chicken broth
    1.5 tsp cumin
    1 tsp chili powder

    brown turkey until fully cooked. Add everything else into the same skillet, bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
    Top with avocado and a splash of lime juice when eating.
    Yum!
    Makes 5 servings and comes in at just under 400 calories per serving (avocado is extra).
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    J72FIT wrote: »
    My lunch today...

    q7xfpfx5hhzt.jpg

    Sounds delicious.
    Super easy too...

    I like your style, my lunch is usually the same. Lean meat and leaves what could be easier?

    I usually do avocado and tuna mash for breakfast or else I'd definitely be adding this one to the diary.
  • jsecret
    jsecret Posts: 606 Member
    my lunch today was a grilled chicken thigh, steamed california blend vegetables (broccoli, cal, carrots), a small bowl of mandarin oranges, and sliced cucumber. 260 calories - so PLENTY of room for something more.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I normally have a Healthy Choice frozen meal (the highest calorie one is 330) or a salad with protein. My lunches are never over 400 calories.
  • ImVeryAngryItsNotButter
    ImVeryAngryItsNotButter Posts: 39 Member
    edited April 2016
    just going to spitball a few of my preferred low cal ideas: veggie/chicken stir fry, tilapia veggie tacos, chicken quinoa veggie bowl, sweet potato kale sautee with salmon, chicken, broccoli and rice.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    edited April 2016
    Paiger816 wrote: »
    7k839ojy7xao.jpg
    lwfgbu67ju17.jpg

    All of these have 350 calories or less.

    From top to bottom -
    Baked chicken tenders with sweet potato and peas.
    Tortilla encrusted tilapia, with corn, black beans, and cauliflower "rice."
    Salmon, with bowtie pasta and broccoli.

    Coconut shrimp with mango salsa, angel hair pasta and green beans.
    Mahi Mahi with mango salsa, broccoli and sweet potato.
    Chicken tenders with green beans and baby russet potatoes.

    Holy...
    You are my new meal prep idol (and I thought I was doing pretty well)
    do you have recipes for the coconut shrimp or mango salsa?

    Also, how do you prepare your baby potatoes?
  • avonarlene86
    avonarlene86 Posts: 23 Member
    edited April 2016
    I was at home so had a fried egg, 2 potato scones, and 4 bacon medallions with some brown sauce. Came in around 430cals x
  • sgos16
    sgos16 Posts: 6 Member
    My go to lunch has been:

    2-3 cups of arugula
    1/2 cucumber
    1/2 avocado
    4 sliced strawberries

    All dressed with 1 Tbsp olive oil and the juice of 1/4 lemon. Right around 300 calories, so if you eat meat you could even add some chicken and it'd still be under your goal.
  • hiyomi
    hiyomi Posts: 906 Member
    2 oz oscar mayer black forest ham - 50 calories
    Sargento Thin Sharp Cheddar- 45 calories
    1 tbsp Cracked Red Pepper Hummus
    Snap Pea Crisps- 110 calories
    Goodness Knows Cranberry Dark Chocolate Squares- 75 calories (half package)

    I did ham and cheese roll ups today, I usually use Sara Lee 45 calorie bread but its still under 500 calories :)
    I will also switch up the cranberry squares for fiber one brownies. I will post more meals up in a bit :)
  • Smccabe8
    Smccabe8 Posts: 129 Member
    Holy...
    You are my new meal prep idol (and I thought I was doing pretty well)
    do you have recipes for the coconut shrimp or mango salsa?

    Also, how do you prepare your baby potatoes?

    Aww, thanks. The mango salsa is "Italian Rose" brand, I buy it at Sam's Club. 2 tablespoons of salsa is only 15 calories! For the shrimp, they're definitely not "restaurant" style, as I don't really bread them. They're kind of a "skinny" substitute. They're tasty, but definitely not as delicious as Red Lobster. I just dip shrimp in an egg white, coat them in Bob's Red Mill unsweetened coconut flakes, and throw them in a hot skillet with a bit of coconut oil. Let them brown for a few minutes and flip them. You can also bake them, but I'm always making like 10 meals at once, so the quicker the better for me.

    Baby potatoes I slice in half, spritz with Pam Olive Oil, season with a little salt and garlic powder and bake until done. The temp always varies since I'm usually cooking chicken, fish or other veggies at the same time. I just leave them until I can easily stick a fork in them.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Awesome meal prep @paiger816! My diary is open (I'm not sure if you can see people's recipes or not), but almost all of my meals are between 150-350 calories. But I save most of them as recipes.
  • bekgirl5
    bekgirl5 Posts: 15 Member
    egg salad and celery! I'm doing keto, so this is a staple for me. Almost no carbs, lots of good fats, protein, keeps you full for a long time.
  • bakemma
    bakemma Posts: 161 Member
    I had 3 slices Turkey bacon, 2 eggs scrambled with a splash of milk and a little butter, and an English muffin with peanut butter. Less than 450 calories and sooo good.
  • Sarahb29
    Sarahb29 Posts: 952 Member
    camsim wrote: »
    Hi anyone want to give me recipes for under 500 calories for my lunch or even 400 calories would be better thanks

    500 is a good chunk to work with. I had cauliflower mash today which is 330 calories, and you can add a simple baked chicken breast for about 120 calories or so, depending on the size of it. The mash was more than enough for me though, I had a big container of it. It has three different types of cheeses.. drool.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    J72FIT wrote: »
    My lunch today...

    q7xfpfx5hhzt.jpg

    Sounds delicious.
    Super easy too...

    I like your style, my lunch is usually the same. Lean meat and leaves what could be easier?

    I usually do avocado and tuna mash for breakfast or else I'd definitely be adding this one to the diary.
    Is that like tuna salad but with avocado instead of mayo? If so, love it!!!
  • Angelfire365
    Angelfire365 Posts: 803 Member
    I meal-prepped 5 days worth of Mexican Turkey Quinoa Skillet, and it is amazing (and super easy):

    1 lb ground turkey
    1 (15 oz can) black beans
    1 cup corn kernels
    1 (15 oz can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
    1 diced jalapeno (optional)
    0.5 cup quinoa, rinsed
    0.5 cup chicken broth
    1.5 tsp cumin
    1 tsp chili powder

    brown turkey until fully cooked. Add everything else into the same skillet, bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
    Top with avocado and a splash of lime juice when eating.
    Yum!
    Makes 5 servings and comes in at just under 400 calories per serving (avocado is extra).

    Have you ever tried freezing this?
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    I meal-prepped 5 days worth of Mexican Turkey Quinoa Skillet, and it is amazing (and super easy):

    1 lb ground turkey
    1 (15 oz can) black beans
    1 cup corn kernels
    1 (15 oz can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
    1 diced jalapeno (optional)
    0.5 cup quinoa, rinsed
    0.5 cup chicken broth
    1.5 tsp cumin
    1 tsp chili powder

    brown turkey until fully cooked. Add everything else into the same skillet, bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
    Top with avocado and a splash of lime juice when eating.
    Yum!
    Makes 5 servings and comes in at just under 400 calories per serving (avocado is extra).

    This sounds really good! I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing.
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