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 high in volume but low in calories? ›

Fruits and vegetables generally have high water and fiber content, which provide volume and weight but not calories. That's why they're low-energy-dense foods.

How can I add volume without calories? ›

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? ›

Examples are healthy proteins such as fish, chicken, tofu or beans, which should be part of each meal. You also want to add healthy fats from nuts and olive oil, vegetables and whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice to your meals.

How to feel full on 1200 calories a day? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and other similar vegetables are high in fiber and water. Adding these non-starchy vegetables to your lunch and dinner can help you feel full. If you need some dinner plans, you could make salmon, a baked potato, and vegetables like green beans or carrots.

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 is the most filling protein? ›

Seafood. Whether it's fish, shellfish, or otherwise, seafood is another satisfying source of protein and healthy fat. In fact, white fish was one of the highest SI foods studied with a score of 225%. Fatty fish options like salmon, tuna, sardines, and anchovies are also excellent choices.

What foods should I cut out to lose weight? ›

To get started, take our free quiz.
  1. Deep-fried foods. Making foods like french fries, onion rings, and fried chicken involves large amounts of oil. ...
  2. Baked sweets. ...
  3. Ultra-processed snacks. ...
  4. Sugary drinks. ...
  5. Alcohol. ...
  6. Refined grains. ...
  7. Processed meats. ...
  8. Artificial sweeteners.
Mar 15, 2024

What foods should I avoid on a calorie deficit? ›

Limiting the following foods can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
  • Fast food: chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, hot dogs etc.
  • Refined carbs: white bread, sugary cereals, white pasta, bagels, crackers, corn chips, etc.
  • Added sugars: sugary snack bars, candy, baked goods, candy, table sugar, agave, etc.

What are the best foods to eat to lose weight? ›

Using more fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean meats, nuts, and beans, is a safe and healthy way to lose or maintain weight.

Can I eat big portions and still lose weight? ›

People hear low-calorie and immediately think, “eat less food”. Now while that can be true, it doesn't have to be true. You can certainly eat larger portions of foods and still lose weight and fat. You'll just have to make different food choices and "eat for volume".

How many calories a day to lose weight? ›

In general, if you cut about 500 calories a day from your usual diet, you may lose about ½ to 1 pound a week. But this can vary depending on your body, how much weight you want to lose, your gender and activity level.

Which snack has the fewest calories? ›

25 Super Snacks With 100 Calories or Less
  • 1/2 Cup Slow-Churned Ice Cream. 1/25. Surprise! ...
  • 6 Cups Microwave Popcorn. 2/25. ...
  • Cottage Cheese and Cantaloupe. 3/25. ...
  • Three Crackers With Cheese. 4/25. ...
  • Fourteen Almonds. 5/25. ...
  • Six Whole-Grain Pretzel Sticks. 6/25. ...
  • Baked Apple. 7/25. ...
  • Cheese-Stuffed Pita Pocket. 8/25.
Mar 22, 2024

What is volume eating less calories? ›

The volume eating method is a strategic approach for weight loss that allows you to consume larger portions while keeping calorie intake in check. You can feel full and satisfied without consuming excess calories by focusing on high-volume, low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-rich soups.

What food has the most volume? ›

High-volume foods (the kind you're supposed to eat more of with volume eating) include:
  • Watermelon, plus other melons.
  • Grapes.
  • Stone fruits like peaches.
  • Citrus fruits.
  • Cucumber, lettuce and celery.
  • Egg whites.
  • Grains like oatmeal and popcorn.
Sep 20, 2023

What foods have the most volume? ›

Best High Volume Low Calorie Foods
  • Celery: With only 6 calories per stalk, celery is praised for its high water content and fibrous texture, making it a great low-calorie option for snacking or adding to dishes.
  • Zucchini: ...
  • Watermelon: ...
  • Broth-based soups: ...
  • Cucumbers: ...
  • Popcorn: ...
  • Mushrooms: ...
  • Grapefruit:
Mar 1, 2024

How do you eat low calories but feel full? ›

In order to be able to cut calories without eating less and feeling hungry, you need to replace some higher calorie foods with foods that are lower in calories and fat and will fill you up. In general, this means foods with lots of water and fiber in them.

References

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