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 is the most high volume low-calorie food? ›

High Volume Low Calorie Carbs
  • Leafy greens.
  • Cruciferous veggies.
  • Cabbage.
  • Zucchini.
  • Berries.
  • Legumes (beans)
  • Watermelon.
  • Popcorn (air popped)

What food has the highest calorie to volume ratio? ›

Cooking oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil, are some of the most calorie-dense foods available. Since they are only sources of fat and do not contain protein or carbohydrates, gram per gram, their calorie density is higher than any other food.

What foods are very filling but low in calories? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

Are high volume foods good for weight loss? ›

Volume eating involves eating a high volume of low calorie, nutrient-dense foods. Eating this way may help people increase feelings of fullness while reducing their caloric intake. This could help with weight loss or maintaining a moderate weight.

Who eats 3,000 calories a day? ›

Typically, a 3,000-calorie diet isn't for weight loss. Most people targeting a diet like this would have goals like muscle gain, intentionally gaining weight for health purposes, or maintaining weight with an active lifestyle.

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! ...
  • Kale. There are only 41 calories in 100 g of kale as well as 3 g of protein. ...
  • Cucumber. Do you remember my article on Foods you should eat without peeling? ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries. ...
  • Oranges.

How to get 3000 calories a day? ›

Each meal on a 3,000-calorie diet should consist of 700 to 800 calories with snacks clocking in at around 200 to 300 calories. Including adequate balances of protein, fat, and carbohydrates at each meal and for each snack will keep you fuller for longer.

How to maximize 1,200 calories a day? ›

To stay at 1,200 calories a day, you should plan your meals in advance and ensure they are balanced with a variety of nutrient-dense foods. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you stay full while keeping your calorie intake low.

Can you survive on 800 calories a day? ›

It's difficult to get good nutrition and feel satisfied on a very low-calorie diet. In addition, consuming as few as 800 calories daily may not give you the energy you need for daily living and regular physical activity, especially if you eat the same foods every day.

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 are 4 foods that fight belly fat? ›

Studies indicate that a diet rich in high-protein foods, such as eggs, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, meat, and dairy results in overall less abdominal fat, more satiety, and an increased metabolic function. Adding fiber-rich foods to meals is also key to keeping off belly fat.

What are 3 excellent foods for weight loss and why? ›

Lean protein sources like chicken, turkey and grass-fed lean beef help keep you full, decrease cravings and stabilize blood sugar, says Feit. Plant-based proteins like legumes, beans and lentils have the same benefits, and they're high in fiber as well, so they promote satiety.

Which food is best for extreme weight loss? ›

If losing weight is your goal, these 16 foods may help support a healthy weight loss journey.
  • Nuts. ...
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Chili pepper. ...
  • Fruit. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Frequently asked questions. ...
  • The bottom line. Many foods are delicious, nutritious, and supportive of your goals to reach or maintain a moderate weight.
May 6, 2024

What is the most low-calorie food ever? ›

Here are 39 foods with almost zero calories.
  • SUGAR SNAP PEAS. ...
  • TOMATOES. ...
  • TURNIPS. ...
  • WATERCRESS. ...
  • WATERMELON. ...
  • ZUCCHINI. ...
  • BEVERAGES: COFFEE, HERBAL TEA, WATER, CARBONATED WATER. ...
  • HERBS AND SPICES. Herbs and spices are used to add flavor to foods and are extremely low in calories.

What is an extreme low calorie diet? ›

A 500-calorie diet is an extreme form of a very low-calorie diet (VLCD). It requires you to drastically reduce the amount of food you eat, usually to a maximum of 800 calories per day. VLCDs use meal replacements like drinks, shakes, and prepared food bars instead of meals for at least two meals a day.

What is the cheapest most calorie dense food? ›

According to our research, the cheapest calories can be derived from the following foods:
  • Dressing: Canola Oil.
  • Spread: Peanut Butter.
  • Grain: Oats, Whole-wheat Bread.
  • Seed: Sunflower.
  • Animal product: Chicken, Egg.
  • Dairy product: Greek Yogurt.
  • Dessert: Dark chocolate.
  • Fruit: Banana, Avocado.

What foods keep you full when fasting? ›

Basically, the best foods to eat while intermittent fasting are the best foods to eat no matter what. They include things like avocado, potatoes, cruciferous veggies, fish, seafood, whole grains, nuts, and fermented foods. It's also key to remember water as a part of your daily routine.

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