High Volume Low Calorie Recipes (2024)

by Liz Thomson August 22, 2011This post may contain affiliate links.

If you’re looking for recipes that will fill you up, these high volume low calorie recipes are the answer! They’re a great way to fill up on nutrient-dense food without a lot of calories. If you ever feel like a bottomless pit and you want a huge portion, these recipes are perfect!

High Volume Low Calorie Recipes (1)

Do you ever find yourself craving a lot of food? I’m a bit of a “volume eater”, meaning sometimes, I don’t feel satisfied with small portions. I’d rather have a giant salad than a few bites of a rich pasta dish. So if you’re like me and you occasionally find yourself craving a big bowl of pasta or a monster-sized salad, I’ve got some recipes to help you out! These recipes are high in volume, meaning the portion sizes are big, but they’re low in calories. That means you can eat a big serving without being overly full or stuffed at the end of your meal.

Here are some of my favorite high volume, low calorie recipes:

Spaghetti Squash Al Pomodoro

Spaghetti Squash al Pomodoro is a great way to enjoy pasta night while filling up on vegetables! Because spaghetti squash is low in calories, you can enjoy a large portion of this tasty dish!

Low Calorie Zucchini Noodles

More of a spaghetti person? Try these low calorie zucchini noodles! I like to top mine with roasted tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. It’s filled with lots of flavor but the zucchini noodles make this dish very low in calories.

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Butternut Squash Fries

Craving fast food? Slice up some butternut squash and make Butternut squash fries!They taste like sweet potato fries, but you can eat a giant plate of them for a fraction of the calories! I love how easy these are. If you have an air fryer, try baking them in there for extra crispy, low-calorie fries!

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High Protein Banana Muffins

Need a quick and easy breakfast option? These banana bread muffins are just 60 calories each. Yes, 60. These are great if you’re craving carbs but you want to fill up on protein. Made with egg whites and protein powder, these might not be your traditional bakery muffin, but they’re great for a low calorie option!

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Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Dreaming of tacos? These roasted cauliflower tacos are vegan, gluten-free, and low in calories! Each taco is only about 150 calories, and you could make them even more low-calorie if you skip the avocado and use salsa instead. Taco night just got a lot healthier!

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One Pan Ratatoullie

This easy one pan ratatouille is loaded with vegetables so you can have a huge serving for less than 300 calories. This is one of my favorite ways to use up any leftover veggies in my fridge and it’s a really satisfying meal. If you love huge portion sizes and you’re craving Italian flavors, this high volume low calorie recipe is the answer!

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Parmesan Tomato Soup

Soup is one of my favorite high volume, low calorie foods. A big bowl of this Parmesan tomato soup is just 140 calories, which means you can totally add a grilled cheese sandwich. This is such a creamy, satisfying meal. The Parmesan adds lots of flavor but you only need a little bit, so this soup is still a low calorie option.

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Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This crunchy cucumber and tomato salad is a great way to fill up on vegetables! With just a drizzle of olive oil, this is a side dish that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds! To make it really low calorie, skip the olive oil and just use red wine vinegar. It has lots of flavor and when tomatoes and cucumbers are in season, this is an irresistible side dish. This is a great recipe when you’re craving a big bowl of food!

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Mango Frozen Yogurt

Craving something sweet? Can’t find Halo Top in your area? Whip up some mango frozen yogurtfor a sweet, low calorie treat! It’s just two ingredients! Plus, it’s high in protein thanks to Greek yogurt. If you don’t want to make your own frozen yogurt, there are also some great storebought options. Have you tried Halo Top, yet?

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Looking for more ideas? Try these high volume, low calorie snacks! I’ve picked out some of the best homemade and storebought snacks that will let you eat the whole bag! If you’re craving a major snack, check out the list!

What are your favorite low-calorie/large portion recipes?

originally posted August 22, 2011 (updated June 29, 2023) by Liz Thomson
categories: Healthy recipes 49 comments

High Volume Low Calorie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What foods are low in calories but high in volume? ›

Examples of high volume, low calorie foods include fruits, non-starchy vegetables, certain whole grains, and lean proteins.

What are some low calorie high volume meals? ›

Here are some low-calorie meal ideas for volume eating:
  • A large salad with various vegetables like shredded carrots, chopped zucchini, chicken breast or beans for protein, and a light salad dressing.
  • Chicken breast with roasted potatoes and a side salad.
  • Greek yogurt with a handful of berries on top.
Jun 24, 2024

What is very filling but low in calories? ›

High-fiber foods not only provide volume but also take longer to digest, making you feel full longer on fewer calories. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains all contain fiber. Popcorn is a good example of a high-volume, low-calorie whole grain. One cup of air-popped popcorn has about 30 calories.

How can I add volume to my food without adding calories? ›

Meet With A Dietitian

Foods that are high in water and fiber are also high-volume foods, in part because both water and fiber have little to no calories. Examples include: Leafy greens, such as spinach, arugula and salad mixes. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.

What foods fill you up without gaining weight? ›

A can of tuna, an apple with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter, a handful of nuts, a cup of plain air-popped popcorn, a half-cup of cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg all make excellent options. Though they do contain calories, they're high in protein, so you won't be tempted to overeat at your next meal.

What foods help burn belly fat? ›

The basic premise for both diets is eat foods rich in monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that may help reduce your belly fat storage. MUFA-rich foods include olive oil, nuts and seeds, avocados, and fish. Eating yogurt regularly has also been found to be helpful in reducing belly fat.

What foods can I eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Let's take a look at some of these wonderful foods:
  • Celery. Celery is a vegetable that is made up of 95% water! ...
  • Broccoli. It is well known for the natural substance it contains – sulforaphane, which has an anti-cancerous effect. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries.

What are 4 foods that are high in empty calories? ›

The foods and drinks that contain primarily empty calories are:
  • Soft drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, lemonade and energy drinks.
  • Alcohol.
  • Junk food and fast food.
  • Candy, including hard candies and sweet or sour chews.
  • Cakes and donuts.
Jan 21, 2021

What is the easiest food to eat high calorie? ›

Foods that may be easier to manage
  • Casseroles (macaroni and cheese)
  • Milkshakes, frozen ice cream bars.
  • Mashed potatoes with gravy.
  • Gelatin with yogurt/cottage cheese.
  • Salmon/tuna/egg salad.
  • Thick soups.
  • Juice nectars, tomato juice, vegetable juice.
  • Pasta with sauce.

What foods should you avoid when losing weight? ›

Below are examples of common foods that people may wish to limit.
  • Sugary beverages. ...
  • Baked foods. ...
  • Fried foods. ...
  • Processed fast food. ...
  • Crackers and chips. ...
  • Refined breads and pastas. ...
  • White rice. ...
  • Processed energy and granola bars.

How to eat 500 calories a day and feel full? ›

Since calorie intake is limited — 500 calories for women and 600 calories for men — it makes sense to use your calorie budget wisely. Try to focus on nutritious, high fiber, high protein foods that will make you feel full without consuming too many calories. Soups are a great option on fast days.

What order to eat food to lose weight? ›

Some experts advise eating vegetables, followed by proteins and healthy fats, then finishing your meal with carbohydrates. Experts recommend patients focus on the ratios of food on their plates before worrying too much about what order they eat it in.

What food has extremely low calories? ›

Vegetables
  • Arugula. A cup of arugula, which is 20 grams (g), contains approximately 5 calories . ...
  • Radishes. Radishes are a good source of potassium, folate, and vitamin C, with one cup of radish slices (116 g) clocking up just 18 calories .
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Green or black olives. ...
  • Peppers. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Celery. ...
  • Iceberg lettuce.

What are high volume fat loss foods? ›

Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine shared five meal and snack ideas with Insider that include high-volume foods to help you keep hunger at bay.
  • Fat-free Greek yogurt with berries. ...
  • Cottage cheese vegetable omelet. ...
  • Spinach salads, sauces, and smoothies. ...
  • Stir-fry. ...
  • Popcorn.
Nov 5, 2023

What food is small but has a lot of calories? ›

Nuts. Nuts are relatively high in heart-healthy fat and calories. Macadamia nuts and pecans are among the highest calorie nuts, containing 204 calories and 196 calories per 1 ounce (oz) serving respectively. For people who do not like nuts, nut butters can be a good alternative.

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