When you're watching your weight and eating healthy, every calorie counts. Use them sparingly with meals that satisfy, yet contain under 600 calories. When creating a low-calorie meal, use fresh ingredients. Add fruits and vegetables, as well as grill meats, to your diet. Avoid heavy sauces and choose whole grains to reduce your caloric intake.
Fast Food Options
If you're on the go, yet still wish to make healthy meal choices, you typically can find a meal option that contains less than 600 calories, according to the Nutrition Council of Greater Cincinnati. Restaurants often provide nutrition information for their products. However, if a restaurant doesn't offer such details, order a grilled chicken sandwich without mayonnaise or sauces; a grilled chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing; a small soup or chili with a small, plain baked potato; or a child's hamburger with a side salad. Such choices provide healthy meal options that contain less than 600 calories.
Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers provide a healthful, low-fat alternative to traditional red meat hamburgers, according to "Eating Well." Buy ground turkey meat and pat them into burgers. Stuff the burgers with low-fat mozzarella for added flavor, recommends "Eating Well." Add a whole wheat bun or lettuce leaves to provide a crispy crunch of flavor. Include a veggie side or two--1 cup of steamed broccoli tossed with lemon pepper adds about 44 calories. Make a low-calorie potato salad without mayonnaise--use balsamic and white wine vinegar, as well as olive oil. Chopped fresh dill also helps enhance the flavor, yet keeps the calorie count low. Other low-calorie sandwich options include a turkey wrap with avocado or a tuna sandwich on whole wheat, according to "USA Today." Add a small side salad to enhance your vegetable intake for the day.
Southwestern Flavors
Southwestern flavors that pair chopped, fresh vegetables with seasoned grilled meats often offer low-calorie options for lunch or dinner, according to "USA Today." Examples include black bean and zucchini quesadillas, cilantro-lime shrimp fajitas, black bean taco salad or chicken and black bean mole tostadas. Add colorful bell peppers, low-sodium black or refried beans, and whole wheat pita or taco shells to create delicious Southwestern options. If you enjoy spicy foods, use jalapeños or green chiles to add flavor.
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