Most individuals remain unaware of the abundance of calories that clandestinely appear in a meal. A chicken salad can quickly turn into a calorie-filled, sugary snack, especially if stuffed with bacon, high-calorie dressing, egg and cheese. Your favorite dish of spaghetti and meatballs could easily cram 1,000 calories, while a sandwich from your favorite eatery can beguile even the most health-conscious individual.
Knowing how to spot high-calorie meals can help you avoid weight gain, but learning how to prepare your own low-calorie foods can help you lose the weight, too. From low-calorie stir-fry to blueberry oat pancakes, these low-calorie meals will help keep the weight off and kick-start your weight loss goals.
Blueberry Oat Pancakes
The average 4-inch pancake averages about 60 calories; add in another 180-200 calories for syrup, and you have yourself a sugary, high-calorie breakfast. Blueberries come loaded with antioxidants and packed with vitamins, and when combined with oats, make for a healthy matrimony of fiber and vitamins. This healthy recipe comes in at 400 calories for 3, 3-inch pancakes.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Chicken is loaded with protein, but some folks tend to add in high-calorie dressings and sauces that negate poultry's low-calorie serving. Instead of packing your chicken-based meal with a high-calorie of sugary sauces and inordinate fats, try mixing together some broccoli, jasmine and rice and serving over sesame seeds with a hint of red chili flakes.
This chicken and broccoli stir-fry dish mixes together decadent spices and a healthy serving of green veggies that come loaded with fiber. With a total of 431 calories and coming in at around 16 grams of fat, this healthy, low-calorie meal makes for the perfect weight-loss dish.
Salmon Baked in Foil
You don't need a grill to cook up your favorite fish. Wrap your salmon inside of foil, throw in some chopped tomatoes, add in some shallots, a bit of lemon juice and some oregano and thyme for flavor for a healthy, low-calorie meal in just under 40 minutes.
Salmon comes loaded with protein (29 grams) and also manages to be low in sugar. Individuals who eat fish regularly also gain essential omega-3 compounds that help combat a number of diseases, including heart disease, cholesterol and high blood sugar. For a nice side dish to compliment your baked salmon, try serving over a bed of whole-wheat rice. Baked salmon comes in at just under 300 calories.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Okay, dieting can diminish your calorie intake and curb your sugar levels, but admit it, you need some sugar in your life. Frozen hot chocolate might fit the bill. Topping out at just 150 calories, this low-calorie treat combines chocolate syrup, evaporated milk, vanilla extract and comes topped with low-fat whipped cream. If you want to reduce the amount of calories, you can always skip the whipped cream and save yourself around 20-50 calories.
Cajun Jambalaya
Jambalaya continues to win praise as a Southern staple for collating spices, veggies and chicken. Individuals lacking vegetables in their diets can always stuff their jambalaya meals with several well-needed veggies, including tomatoes, onions, peppers and even broccoli. For Cajun jambalaya, you'll want to mix shrimp, onions, bell peppers, celery, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce and a bit of hot sauce to make a tepid, decadent dish.
Coming in at around 400 calories, Cajun jambalaya also manages to offer 24 grams of protein and include only 167 grams of fat. Healthy, delicious and spicy, Cajun jambalaya may provide the perfect kick to a lackluster dinner menu.
Some people consider looking into an accredited online college in nutrition to understand the basics of low-calorie meals. Sometimes all you need is some advice, suggestions and tips to help start a new diet plan.