Five Low Calorie Recipes that You'll Actually Enjoy

Have your lemon bars and eat them too

I love to cook.

But the foods I love to cook have always been so high in calories. When I decided to start losing weight, I really missed all the amazing stuff I would cook, so I did a deep search of the Internet, and TikTok, and found some really amazing recipes I might like better than what I was making before. To make a note, none of these recipes are mine - I'm not that good of a chef! But you should check out the sites all these recipes come from because they're amazing.

1. Zucchini Lasagna

This zucchini lasagna is something I make when I craving something Italian but I don't want to feel like I'm going to explode after I eat it. It's fresh and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 large zucchinis

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

• 1 small green bell pepper, diced (I leave this out because I hate bell pepper in anything that isn't a stuffed pepper)

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 cup tomato paste

• 1 (16 ounce) can of tomato sauce

• 1/4 cup red wine

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

• hot water as needed

• 1 egg

• 1 (15 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• 1 (16 ounce) package chopped fresh spinach

• 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella

• 8 ounces shredded parmigiano reggiano (don't use parmigiano, it has no flavor)

Directions

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a deep 9x13 inch baking pan.

Step 2:

Slice zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices. Sprinkle slices lightly with salt; set aside to drain in a colander.

Step 3:

To prepare the meat sauce, cook and stir ground beef and black pepper in a large skillet over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add in green pepper and onion; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, wine, basil, and oregano, adding a small amount of hot water if sauce is too thick. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer sauce for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4:

Meanwhile, stir egg, ricotta, and parsley together in a bowl until well combined.

Step 5:

To assemble lasagna, spread 1/2 of the meat sauce into the bottom of prepared pan. Then layer 1/2 the zucchini slices, 1/2 the ricotta mixture, all of the spinach, followed by all of the mushrooms, then 1/2 the mozzarella cheese. Repeat by layering the remaining meat sauce, zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Spread Parmesan cheese evenly over the top; cover with foil.

Step 6:

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil; raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/172958/no-noodle-zucchini-lasagna/

2. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect thing to curb your need for something super high in fat and cheesy. Use celery sticks to make this item even lower in calories.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken

• 1/2 hot sauce (to make this even more delicious use Truff hot sauce to add a little bit of that truffle aroma)

• 1 cup plain greek yogurt (use FAGE 0% fat because its only 90 calories a cup)

• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup low fat cream cheese

• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles

Directions:

Step 1:

Add your shredded chicken, hot sauce, plain greek yogurt, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and cream cheese to a bowl and mix until thoroughly combined

Step 2:

Place your mixture into a cast iron skillet or an 8x8 greased baking pan, then add your blue cheese crumbles and 1/4 cheddar cheese on top

Step 3:

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes then broil on high for 2-3 minutes

https://www.tiktok.com/@eatpayylove/video/6856841101966380294?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjz05WanHjvpph3a4ZAA4B0FT1945uHFxZ3WbY%2BZQlOuhbbZq3bL6sGgBu2SFxBGZ%2BlwRCbEc6c1NTV2A5EaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAA9jjVlk3p0Yb7IWoGmqYD-JFd3DYcrCp1tq6Ff9RGrGYLaTCACZnP_sbWQXsAdXCP&share_item_id=6856841101966380294&share_link_id=A3BE4AC2-F14C-4E00-9C1E-DC43202BB9C8&timestamp=1604530347&tt_from=copy&u_code=da6b9ge1b7369c&user_id=6777809010903221254&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

3. Asian Cucumber Salad

This salad is so fresh and delicious. I could literally eat ten pounds of it. I eat it whenever I need a light snack because its so quick and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 5 medium cucumbers

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 tsp soy sauce

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• 2 tsp sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sweet chili sauce

Directions:

Peel your cucumbers leaving some of the skin on in stripes, most of the nutrients in a cucumber are in the skin. Add your salt and toss. Mince your garlic and again, toss. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss thoroughly. And just like that, you have an asian cucumber salad!

https://www.tiktok.com/@bondenavant/video/6832383420488830213?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjzlOpH4sYhZaf%2FlTBo03GoKuC9q6ImybOgJjsKOM9%2BUnFirtv7cZ8bgmzudClfsgf14S4hoiHJ%2FIvSYb%2FMaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAA9jjVlk3p0Yb7IWoGmqYD-JFd3DYcrCp1tq6Ff9RGrGYLaTCACZnP_sbWQXsAdXCP&share_item_id=6832383420488830213&share_link_id=BAAB79B6-3413-462F-AC87-34EF3AEB167C&timestamp=1604530446&tt_from=copy&u_code=da6b9ge1b7369c&user_id=6777809010903221254&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

4. Cumin Stewed Chickpeas

This dish is so filling and so flavorful. It's fairly quick to make and perfect if you like to meal prep because you can make it in bulk, and it keeps for days.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 shallots, finely sliced

• 4-6 garlic cloves, crushed and roughly chopped

• ~1 tablespoon ground cumin (use more or less to taste)

• Pinch dried red pepper flakes, to taste

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (use more or less to taste)

• 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed*

• 1 bunch hearty greens, such as chard or kale, stems separated and sliced; leaves coarsely chopped

• Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper

• Paprika, (optional), to taste

Directions:

Step 1:

Prepare the aromatics and greens: thinly slice the shallots, and roughly chop the garlic, and cut the stems of the greens into bite-size pieces (I like to include the stems for extra fiber and flavor, but discard if you would prefer). Roughly tear or chop the leaves.

Step 2:

In a medium heavy-bottomed pot, heat most of the olive oil on medium-low heat until it becomes fragrant and starts to shimmer. Add the garlic and shallots into the pot, and stir well.

Step 3:

When the shallots and garlic start to soften, add in the chili flakes and ground cumin, as well as a pinch of paprika if using (this will "bloom" the spices and bring out deeper flavors: you will immediately be able to smell fragrance coming from the pot).

Step 4:

Turn up the heat to medium/medium high and add the chopped stems to the pot, if using. Leave to cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, to ensure the aromatics do not burn.

Step 5:

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas, and add to the pot, along with a splash of water and a large pinch of salt. Using a wooden spoon or potato masher, crush up the chickpeas into smaller pieces, adding more water when the stew becomes too dry.

Step 6:

Cook until the chickpeas are soft, saucy, and flavorful. Add handfuls of the greens to the pot, along with another splash of water if needed. Wilt until the leaves are bright green and decreased in volume.

Step 7:

Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve in a large bowl, and top with more olive oil, chili flakes, and paprika. A squeeze of lemon also goes a long way.

https://scheckeats.com/cumin-stewed-chickpeas/

5. Healthy Lemon Bars

These are by far my favorite things on the list. You won't even notice the difference between these lemon bars and their very much higher calorie counterpart. They are the perfect dessert.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil

• ¼ cup coconut sugar (or sub 2-3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup)

• 1 egg, at room temperature

• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

• 1 cup packed fine almond flour (do not use almond meal)

• 3 tablespoons coconut flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• Zest from 1 lemon

• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 2-4 lemons)

• ½ cup honey

• 4 large eggs

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 tablespoon coconut flour, sifted (or sub tapioca flour or arrowroot flour)

• To garnish:

• Powdered sugar (sifted)

• Lemon zest

Directions:

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. (Do not use a glass pan as it will likely cause the bottom of the crust to burn.)

Step 2:

First make the crust: In a medium bowl, add in the coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg and almond extract. Mix together until smooth. Add in almond flour, coconut flour and salt. Mix again until a dough forms. Press dough evenly into prepared pan with your hands. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool for two minutes before adding your filling.

Step 3:

While your crust bakes, you can make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, eggs, egg yolk and coconut flour. Pour over crust. Bake for 18-25 minutes or until filling is set and no longer jiggles. Cool completely on a wire rack then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up bars. Once ready to serve, use a sharp knife to cut into 12 bars. I recommend garnishing them with powdered sugar and a little lemon zest before serving. Enjoy!

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/healthy-lemon-bars-gluten-free-dairy-free-paleo/

Staying motivated can be hard.

I know sometimes it feels easier to just quit. But now you've been armed with the knowledge of what it takes to lose weight, how you lose weight, and some awesome food that will definitely make your weight loss journey easier.

I also want to recommend a couple people that I've found on TikTok who have great recipes that are either already low in calories or can be easily adapted.

@jeremyscheck

@nutrientmatters

@iamtabithabrown

I follow these creators religiously, they're recipes are always super easy to follow and the food they make is out of this world amazing.

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Let me know if there are any creators you follow for motivation and inspiration in the comment section below! You can always feel free to message me if you have any questions.

But for now,

BE LAZY BE HEALTHY