No matter when you eat your biggest meal of the day, your calories should still work for you. These meals are jam-packed with nutrients — from energy-sustaining protein to disease-fighting antioxidants — while still ensuring you keep calorie counts low. Each of these comforting and filling meals is well under 500 calories, meaning you'll be full and satisfied afterward without sacrificing weight-loss goals. Check out the recipes below!
— Additional reporting by Michele Foley, Lizzie Fuhr, and Jenny Sugar
This creamy avocado chickpea salad throws together in less than 10 minutes, and you can even make a batch ahead of time to have a few days' worth of meals all ready when hunger strikes.
If your ultimate comfort food tends to be Southern-fried, this clean-eating shrimp and grits recipe will curb (and satisfy) those greasy cravings. Riced cauliflower simmers on the stove in a coconut milk bath to stand in for traditional corn grits, while fresh lemon, a little spice, and a touch of ghee make the shrimp portion of this classic dish much lighter.
This tofu stir-fry is so easy to whip up — it's fail-proof — and only takes about 40 minutes. Rich in savory flavor and comforting textures, it'll soon become a staple in your weekly meal plan too.
This hearty, flavorful Thai beef salad is the perfect starter recipe if you've never cooked Thai food at home. Fresh, hydrating cucumber and romaine balance well with lean marinated beef for a filling post-workout dinner you'll crave.
If you're craving mac and cheese but are trying to cut back on pasta, this low-carb mac and cheese recipe is for you. Cheesy and creamy, this recipe lets Trader Joe's versatile organic broccoli slaw stand in for traditional noodles, so you won't leave the table feeling overstuffed and bloated.
Instead of fatty coleslaw, mix up this lightened-up broccoli slaw salad recipe instead. Served with lean protein like grilled chicken breast atop, it makes for a low-calorie, filling comfort meal.
The homemade cilantro-lime dressing gives this taco salad a fresh and zesty flavor perfect for the warmer weather. The layered ingredients also offer almost 25 grams of both protein and fiber. This is a great dinner when you need something fast after a hectic day: prep in advance and store in your fridge for a ready-to-go dinner.
After a hard workout, this vegan bean salad is the perfect, protein-packed refreshing meal. It has more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams to fill you up and help your muscles recover.
No need for the oven for this refreshing dinner — avocado shell salad. It has 60 percent of your recommended fiber for the day, aids in digestion, and may even diminish belly fat.
Calories: 468
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17Baby Kale Sesame Salad
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Kale may be a nutritious powerhouse, but its flavor is anything but timid. If you're tried of making soups, smoothies, and salads from the dark green roughage, baby kale makes an excellent alternative. The little leaves are tender, mild in flavor, and don't require the prep (chopping and massaging) required for their more mature counterparts, but it still contains the disease-fighting nutrients you need. Baby kale, baby spinach, and chard make a perfect delicate combo for this sesame chicken salad.
For a healthy, protein-rich meal that doesn't rely on dairy for flavor, try this delicious Mexican-style chicken crockpot recipe full of fresh ingredients. This preparation results in an absolutely delicious, fall-off-the-bone piece of meat.
This comforting, creamy coconut curry butternut squash soup is cream-free and the perfect way to add a few metabolism-boosting spices like cumin and turmeric to your diet.
So robust in flavor, these hearty veggie burgers are made with the goodness of sweet potatoes, black beans, millet, and corn. The creamy avocado sauce on top adds the perfect touch.
Using a mix of veggies like zucchini, spaghetti squash, and other veggies instead of penne means you can load on the cheese and still enjoy a low-calorie, ooey-gooey, cheesy bowl of steamy pasta. Even better? This veggie pasta bake is gluten-free.
Fried chicken is the definition of Southern comfort, but just one piece can weigh in at over 700 calories. Skip the classic, and opt for this lower-calorie, just-as-delicious fried chicken alternative that's baked in the oven.
Calories: 335
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23Creamy Flat-Belly Soup
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If your digestion needs a reset, opting for high-fiber, antioxidant-rich foods will help you feel better from the inside out. This creamy chard and spinach soup is easy to make and full of belly-relieving nutrients. Leafy greens, almond butter, and bell pepper will help soothe your stomach and shrink your belly. Adding a touch of low-fat cream cheese turns this soup into a creamy concoction without adding a lot of calories.
Calories: 194
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24Citrus Chicken Salad
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This version of Trader Joe's citrus chicken salad tastes better than the original and is just as low in calories. A mix of digestion-relieving cabbage and papaya and hydrating, antioxidant-rich daikon — along with a tangy, Thai-inspired citrus dressing — makes for a flavorful, filling lunch that's high in protein and low in fat and calories.
High-fiber sweet potatoes in this spicy salad recipe can regulate blood sugar and help you lose weight, while a spicy, antioxidant-rich red pepper and jalapeño dressing ties everything together.
Calories: 270
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26Vegan Bolognese
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A comforting bowl of spaghetti bolognese is often what's needed after a long day (or any day, really). Loading down on beef, however, can leave you feeling heavy and tired. Solve this problem — and cut back on calories, fat, and cholesterol — with this recipe for vegan bolognese.
You can do without the butter and cream of the classic potato leek soup recipe and go for this dairy-free potato leek soup, made velvety smooth from pureed beans and potatoes instead.
For a lightened-up take on classic coleslaw, whip up this detox salad instead. Apples marry with the dynamic duo of red and Savoy cabbage, combining for a fiber-filled meal that aids in digestion. The addition of fennel seeds adds to the fiber factor, plus a kick of cayenne boosts your metabolism.
For a warming, quick supper, look to these Italian-style Paleo stuffed peppers for inspiration. With just a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you can create a fresh, clean meal with more than 30 grams of protein!
If you're on the hunt for a quick and tasty detoxifying recipe, this crunchy cabbage and hemp salad is for you. If you haven't tried them yet, it's time to give hemp seeds a try. They're a great source of omega-3s and vitamin E for vegans and vegetarians, and the combination of the cold-pressed oil and seeds in this recipe gives this fresh salad a nutty flavor you'll love.
If you're looking to lighten things up the next time you dig into a comforting bowl of mac and cheese, opt for this twist on tradition that amps up the nutritional value as it cuts back on calories and carbs. Versatile and nutrient-rich spaghetti squash lays the base to this recipe, while broccoli adds more vitamin A.
Calories: 296
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32Eggless Kale Caesar Salad
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For just the same addictive taste as the original with an added bonus — vitamin A-rich superfood kale — opt for this lighter Caesar salad dressing instead. This recipe omits the egg yolk and a lot of the cheese for a lower-calorie dressing that tastes exactly like the classic. Using kale instead of romaine lettuce increases the nutrients and adds texture and flavor and allows the salad to keep in your fridge without going limp.
This cheesy, garlicky "pasta" from healthy chef Hungry Girl is the best of both worlds — it's just as fast to make as any simple pasta dish and doesn't come overloaded with carbs. And since it's a similarly low-calorie and low-carb pasta alternative as spaghetti squash (one whole bag of broccoli slaw is only 100 calories and five grams of carbs) without all the prep, it's perfect for any gluten-free girl on the go.
Settle in with a large, comforting bowl of cumin-spiced lentils; packed with protein and fiber, this gluten-free meal satisfies no matter how hungry you are.
Versatile, quick, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, a basic tofu scramble is a great go-to meal. This vegan tofu scramble brings the Southwest to your table, fast.
This colorful salad has a bit of everything: blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, almonds, nori, kale, and quinoa, all blended with an Asian-inspired soy ginger dressing. Talk about eating the rainbow!
One-pot meals like this vegan split pea soup definitely don't lack dimension. With plenty of spices and sweet potatoes, a large bowl will fill you up for hours.
Yes, you can have delicious, healthy mac and cheese. This version owes its low calorie count — and appropriate orange hue — to pureed butternut squash.
A hearty bowl of creamy cheddar soup can soothe the soul, but it's not always so great for the waist. This healthy cheddar soup recipe keeps the texture you crave but nixes calories by using cauliflower to create a creamy soup base.
A light, refreshing meal is perfect for hot Summer days. Try this chirashi bowl, made with fresh vegetables, brown rice, and sushi-grade tuna, to cool off in the heat.
Calories: 403
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44Red Pepper and Lentil Bake
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High in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, red bell peppers make a perfect accompaniment to protein-rich lentils in this low-calorie recipe. Even better news? You'll be surprised at how large an under-250-calorie portion of this cheesy red pepper and lentil bake really is.
Fried rice should definitely not be on anyone's healthy-eating menu, so get the taste — and kill the cravings — with this paleo perfect cauliflower fried "rice" recipe instead.
Traditional chicken salad clocks in at 500 calories, but this healthy chicken salad is 139 calories a serving. The secret? A simple swap of Greek yogurt for mayo. Serve with one or two slices of bread (like wheat bread, 220 calories for two slices).
Make this Thai-inspired soba noodle salad for dinner, enjoy it for lunch the next day. The flavors develop with time, making this protein-rich and fiber-full cold dish perfect as leftovers.
Calories: 424
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49Turmeric-Spiced Mushroom Pilaf
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Turmeric might just be a super spice: it's been known to boost immunity, relieve digestive discomfort, and possibly prevent disease. This turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf is made with a generous dose of turmeric added to a brown rice and mushroom mixture. The result is a mildly spicy, satisfying one-pot meal that helps you feel your best.
This sweet potato, chickpea, and quinoa veggie burger is perfectly spiced and completely satisfying. At 202 calories per patty, you can add a 120-calorie whole wheat bun and lettuce, tomato, and ketchup (34 calories) and still come in at well under 500 calories.
Yes, you can eat half a pizza without guilt. This cauliflower crust pizza features a gluten-free crust and fresh tomatoes, skim mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves for a healthy take on a classic.
Calories: 272
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53No-Mac and Cheese
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What's the secret to making a pasta-less mac and cheese just as irresistible as the classic? Cauliflower, the perfect vehicle for a cheesy, creamy sauce made from cheese, coconut milk, butter, and coconut flour. While this gluten-free no-mac and cheese is under 400 calories, note that it's high in saturated fat, so enjoy this comforting dish in moderation.
For those days when you're craving nothing but pasta, reach for a huge bowl of this garlicky zucchini pasta dish. A sprinkle of almond meal instead of breadcrumbs takes this recipe over the top.
For nights when you don't have time to spend in the kitchen, this chicken and sweet potato quinoa bowl comes together fast. With 40 percent of your recommended daily intake of fiber and 20 grams of protein, it makes an ideal post-workout meal.
Save money and hundreds of calories by opting for a lightened-up version of Chinese takeout. This sweet and sour chicken recipe is light on calories and fat.
