Under 200 calorie Lunch or meal options?

I'm trying to eat many smaller meals a day instead of 3 larger ones as this seems to work better for me as far as being hungry throughout the day and sticking to my goals. But, i am having a hard time finding good things that are under this threshold, they all seem to be 400 calories or so and I cant do that multiple times a day or I am over my limit! Any ideas? :)
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Replies

  • MsArriabella
    MsArriabella Posts: 469 Member
    Maybe break up 400/500 calories meals into multiple servings? Otherwise soup is the only 'meal' sort of thing I can think of that is so low in calories.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    My breakfast is small - Yogurt Parfait

    80 calorie Greek yogurt (non-fat, fake sugar) - 1/3 cup blueberries - 15 grams of Fiber One cereal (1/3 serving) and about a tablespoon (10 grams) of slivered almonds

    I googled "Eat this Much" and put in a large(r) number for meals.....responses were a smoothie, cottage cheese & fruit, chicken w/ mushrooms, and a sandwich.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Break up your meals into smaller portions that fit your 200 calorie target. Otherwise, the only thing I can really think of is snacky kind of food like an apple and some peanut butter or cottage cheese with some fruit, etc.
  • Strudders67
    Strudders67 Posts: 989 Member
    One of my go-to things for breakfast is Plain No Sugar soya yoghurt with chia seeds and a handful of berries. That's definitely under 200 cals.

    My salads are usually under 100 cals and could still be under 200 cals, depending on what / how much protein I added. My home-made chicken and vegetable soup is also under 100 cals.
  • Theo166
    Theo166 Posts: 2,564 Member
    I've started buying those packaged salads that come with the toppings and dressing in separate packages. They keep in the fridge for a good time. I then mix one of them up and load it into several Tupperware containers I can take with me. The salad fills me up and I may add a couple string cheese or a protein bar, for the fat and protein
  • cupcakeCravingsmom
    cupcakeCravingsmom Posts: 14 Member
    Special k cereal (read boxes different flavor more or less calories) with Unsweetened Almond milk- 200cal range (of have extra calories left a few strawberries 🍓)

    Egg whites 25cal per serving (so can adjust it), 0 cal pepper if love it optional) . Can eat on 1 slice of bread 70 per slice cal one toast it or in 1 tortilla.

    Lunch meat read labels some are super low cal or strips of meat you cut up like baked chicken or steak strips put in 1 slice of bread,1 tortilla,1 wrap,1 cheese slice,low cal sub bread , or in salad 🥗. Can add veggies you like. Or eat it by itself with some fruit/vegetables
  • MsCzar
    MsCzar Posts: 1,072 Member
    Egg or turkey veggie wrap

    Chili
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    That's the opposite of how I like to eat, but tons of options. I agree with those saying divide up current meals. An egg + an apple. Cottage cheese + half an avocado. Salad with chicken breast, a bunch of veg, and low cal dressing (red wine vinegar plus mustard plus a tiny bit of olive oil is good). Many other options, depending on your taste preferences.
  • hedgieandme
    hedgieandme Posts: 14 Member
    My go to is a sort of shakshuka. Fry off some chilli, garlic, cumin and smoked paprika. Add onion and whatever veg needs using up. Add a tin of tomatoes, parsley, salt/pepper/msg and half a tin of water. Simmer for 15 mins (tbh you can skip that if you're in a rush). Crack an egg on top and poach it in the liquid. Done.

    An onion is about 10cals, a tin of tomatoes is about 100cals depending on the brand and an egg is about 60 to 70cals. That leaves 30 to 40cals for extra veg or a small grating of cheese. Or if you can push to 300cals for the meal, you can have an extra egg or a toasted pitta to dip.
  • camel930boy
    camel930boy Posts: 1 Member
    I usually eat a pure protean bar and a cup of coffee . 214 calories for the whole meal. Do not freak out over 14/20 calories sometimes eating so few calories in a meal can do more harm then good.
  • skinnyrev2b
    skinnyrev2b Posts: 400 Member
    Veggie soup with protein powder = delish. Today's was from here: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/thai-red-curry-butternut-squash-soup/ - plus pea protein = 190ish for a really big bowl full.
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    Today I had the asian salad from Taylor Farms only 160 cals and I had a tangerine with it for another 35 cals, also avocado toast with a tangerine or a few grapes , maybe 1/2 an apple, taco soup is a good option, lean cuisine has some options, a chicken leg and spinach salad...or spaghetti squash with marinara
  • Ronin8033
    Ronin8033 Posts: 4 Member
    It's probably more of a snack, but, I like 0.5 cups of cottage cheese with 0.5 cups of fresh cut pineapple mixed in. I find it curbs my hunger for at least a couple/few hours. Only about 170-190 calories depending on what cottage cheese you use.
  • kouponkk
    kouponkk Posts: 2 Member
    I like to spread laughing cow pepper cheese on rice cakes and then put fresh red pepper (chopped) on top. So delish! Very low calories.
  • EpilepsyWarrior
    EpilepsyWarrior Posts: 56 Member
    edited February 2021
    @Katherinemoore03
    Hi Katherine. I was having the same issue. I find a lot of great stuff on pinterest. I recently found a yummy soup from a great website that is all about low cal meals, lunches and breakfasts. Heres the link. The soup averages about 200 calories a bowl. And makes 6 bowls. I used a scale because they say 2 carrots or cups of so and so but sometimes different brands are different calories or the recipe uses bigger carrots and stuff like that. I like to plan it out to be sure. Its a very versatile soup and its easy to make. Hope you find some good meals and lunches on the site :)

    https://skinnyms.com/slow-cooker-hearty-vegetable-and-bean-soup/
  • thelastnightingale
    thelastnightingale Posts: 725 Member
    I am currently tucking into a giant bowl of plain chow mein, which was 265 calories to make - you could make a smaller portion and it would still feel big enough to be a meal. You just need to watch the amount of vegetable oil and sesame oil you add, as that's where the calories come in. Egg noodles seem to be much better calorie value than egg pasta!

    The lowest calorie 'nice' soup I can make is carrot soup - I can get that down to 100 calories a portion, which leaves capacity for breadsticks/crackers if you like them. Carrot is a really great value for calorie vegetable.

    Eggs have already been mentioned - for 200 calories, I would make a scramble with two whole eggs, onions, red peppers and tomatoes. The trick is to bulk out the eggs with as many low-calorie extras as you can manage.

    If you're eating a tiny meal and it's the sort of meal that would work well with fresh herbs and/or grated parmesan, add some of that. The calories they add are very minimal, but they make it feel more luxurious. Any trick you can use, right?

    I'd probably find it easier to make meals for 300 calories and eat protein bars (the lowest I can buy is 115 calories) in between. Upping to 300 gives you more options.

    Good luck!
  • NatashaR44
    NatashaR44 Posts: 8 Member
    I eat breakfast for lunch all the time. My go-to is half a cup of egg whites bulked up with veggies (I like spinach and mushrooms) plus a cup of frozen hashbrowns and a slice or two of turkey bacon in the air fryer. Just under or around 200 usually.

    I also like a big plates of baby butter lettuce with a packet of albacore tuna (with a dollop of avocado mayo) and some cherry tomatoes and a dash of some good balsamic vinegar.

    Another super low calorie but filling meal is shirataki noodles flavored with a scoop of your fave Thai peanut sauce and tons of veggies or tofu (or chicken, but that adds more calories).
  • fitb4quitgirl
    fitb4quitgirl Posts: 8 Member
    I recently learned how important egg whites are! Instead of having a normal 3 egg omelet, I'll substitute 2 of the eggs for the equivalent in eggwhites.
    Steamable edamame is a great snack too, low cal & decent protein!
    Another low calorie option for protein is seafood - sashimi, a filet, canned tuna in water, shrimp. <3
  • OldSnake22
    OldSnake22 Posts: 1 Member
    veggie soups, veggie stir fry, salads, add a small amount of meat for some fat and protein, they can usually be made around 200-300 calories
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    When I was eating small meals my 'go-to' list was
    1. yogurt with cottage cheese
    2. those chicken or tuna salad kits that come with crackers (6, but you can eat less to save calories)
    3. a protein bar (quest is 200 calories).
    4. veg soup
  • wunderkindking
    wunderkindking Posts: 1,615 Member
    Well Yes! Cambells' soups are sometimes REALLY low calorie. Like 200 for the whole can and pretty good and filling.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    This morning breakfast is cottage cheese pancakes and turkey bacon for 223 calorie.
  • astarky1983
    astarky1983 Posts: 6 Member
    I made a list of fruits and veggies that come in under 100 calories per serving. I make sure to buy a few of each when I shop and portion them for snacking. I’ll pack 50 calorie berry packs and prep small salads with light dressings for under 100 calories. Add 1oz any lean protein to salad for another 50 calories or so 👍🏼
  • astarky1983
    astarky1983 Posts: 6 Member
    And veggie egg roll in a bowl with cauliflower rice👍🏼
  • freda666
    freda666 Posts: 338 Member
    I have a dairylea or laughing cow triangle on 4 crispbreads for lunch which is 165 calories.

    I have porridge with skimmed milk and water which is 50 calories for every 10g of oats and 30ml of skimmed milk.

    I have a yogurt at 85 calories.

    I have a salad of lettuce, mushroom, white cabbage and cucumber for 60 calories or so depending on my exact portion size. I do not like dressing so do not have to worry about that and just season with onion powder and black pepper. Add a whole can of tuna for around 140 calories more.

    Another favourite of mine is strawberries with a dollop of yogurt which can be between 100 and 200 calories depending on the portion size.

    I also like canned minestrone soup which is 154 calories.