7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories (2024)

Mar292017

7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories (1)Dear Hungry Girl,

I prefer meals and snacks that are high in protein because they keep me full throughout the day. Which of your recipes do you recommend for a protein fiend like me?

Protein Queen

7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories (2)Hi Protein Queen,

I'm a protein maniac as well! If I don't get enough of it at each meal, I find I'm hungry again in no time. So without further ado, here are seven protein-packed recipes for breakfast, lunch, and more. Each one clocks in with fewer than 300 calories!

Loaded Chicken Fajita Omelette

Entire recipe: 241 calories, 3.5g total fat (2g sat. fat), 798mg sodium, 12.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 5g sugars, 38.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 3*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 1*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 1*

Eating breakfast is essential (breakfast skippers tend to weigh more!), and a high-protein morning meal is a smart way to start your day. This Tex-Mex creation is so filling. Eggs are among the best protein-packed breakfast foods in existence; the addition of chicken kicks things up a notch! Did I mention this omelette is also super flavorful and delicious? It truly has it all. Pssst… Here's a protein-packed veggie omelette for the meatless crowd.

5-Ingredient Banana-Chocolate Pancakes

Entire recipe (4 pancakes): 200 calories, 3g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 391mg sodium, 25.5g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 14.5g sugars, 20.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 3*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 3*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 3*

Pancakes are typically a carby mess, but I turned that stereotype on its head when I came up with this recipe! It contains no flour whatsoever and has a protein count so unexpectedly high, it’ll make you do a double take. The trick is combining egg whites with protein powder, and the results are absolutely amazing! I had to throw in some chocolate chips, because chocolate rocks!

Pot Roast Stew

1/6th of recipe (about 1 1/2 cups): 299 calories, 9.5g total fat (4g sat. fat), 820mg sodium, 19g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 5.5g sugars, 35.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 5*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 5*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 5*

Craving protein-packed comfort food without the kitchen commitment? Toss some ingredients in a slow cooker, and return hours later to this yummy stew! Beef is a protein powerhouse, and I love the melt-in-your-mouth texture of slow-cooked chuck roast. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Inside-Out Chicken Enchiladas

1/4th of recipe (1 enchilada): 250 calories, 7g total fat (2.5g sat. fat), 519mg sodium, 7g carbs, 2g fiber, 0.5g sugars, 37.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 5*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 2*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 2*

Chicken is a go-to protein, and this recipe uses it in the most ingenious way -- as a replacement for carby tortillas! Goodbye, sky-high carb count; hello, protein. Refried beans and reduced-fat cheese add even more protein to the equation. It's an explosion of Mexican flavor in the best possible way...

Zucchini Spaghetti with Shrimp

Entire recipe: 290 calories, 12.5g total fat (2.5g sat. fat), 735mg sodium, 19.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 11.5g sugars, 28g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 5*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 4*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 4*

Don’t skimp on shrimp if you want to add protein to your diet! Combined with spiralized zucchini, Parmesan, and a few other key ingredients, the popular shellfish is perfect for an easy, all-natural meal. The seasoning here is so simple, but it's game-changingly good!

Cheeseburger Mini Meatloaves

1/6th of recipe (2 mini meatloaves): 182 calories, 6.5g total fat (3g sat. fat), 470mg sodium, 9g carbs, 1g fiber, 4g sugars, 21.5g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 4*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 4*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 4*

Step away from the snack cabinet! Keep a batch of these bite-sized burgers on hand; when midday cravings hit, you'll have a super-satisfying treat ready and waiting. You get all the satisfaction of biting into a cheeseburger: juicy beef, melty cheese, salty pickles... All that’s missing is the (unnecessary) bun!

PB Protein Mug Cake

Entire recipe: 138 calories, 5.5g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 238mg sodium, 10.5g carbs, 4.5g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 13g protein

Green Plan SmartPoints® value 4*
Blue Plan (Freestyle) SmartPoints® value 3*
Purple Plan SmartPoints® value 3*

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? This recipe crams 13 grams of protein into a dessert! It requires minimal effort, since it’s made in a mug, but it serves up maximum peanut butter taste. SO good!

Chew on this:

Today, March 29th, is National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day. When we're craving cake with a hit of citrus, we reach for lemon cake mix and a can of diet lemon-lime soda... Use this recipe! (It works with any cake mix/soda combo.)

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7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories (10)

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*The WW Points®values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsem*nt or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of thePoints® trademark.

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7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories (2024)

FAQs

How much protein is in 300 calories? ›

Yet protein has 4 calories per gram. So 300 calories divided by 4 equals 75 grams of protein. 75 grams is more than most people need.

Is 300 calories enough for a meal? ›

Yes, 300 calories can definitely be enough for a meal, as long as you choose your ingredients wisely. 300 calorie meals for weight loss must include nutrient-dense foods that will keep you feeling satisfied.

What is the best protein with the least calories? ›

The top 15 nutritious foods that are high in protein and low in calories are:
  • Shrimp. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Low Fat Cottage Cheese. ...
  • Low Fat Cheese. ...
  • Edamame (Soy) ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Seitan. ...
  • Lentils. All legumes are nutrient-dense, but lentils in particular pack a lot of protein.
Feb 28, 2023

What is the healthiest protein to eat? ›

Generally, poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) and a variety of seafood (fish, crustaceans, mollusks) are your best bet. Eggs can be a good choice, too.

What happens if you only eat 300 calories a day? ›

Nutritional deficiencies: Consuming only 300 calories a day is unlikely to provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to function properly. This can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, and fats [2].

Will I lose weight if I burn 350 calories a day? ›

Here's an example. If you burn an extra 350 calories per day without changing anything else, it will take you ten days to lose one pound. If you cut your calories to 2000 per day but don't exercise, it should only take you a week to lose one pound.

What is a high protein breakfast to lose belly fat? ›

Research shows eating at least 20 grams of protein at breakfast can really help. Meal options include scrambled eggs, greek yogurt, and tofu. Protein is a key nutrient for weight loss. Studies show that protein can help curb your appetite and keep you from overeating.

Does oatmeal have high protein? ›

Oat is considered to be a potential source of low cost protein with good nutritional value. Oat has a unique protein composition along with high protein content of 11–15 %.

What are examples of 300 grams of protein? ›

In case you were wondering, 300 grams is actually a lot of protein. By way of reference, 300 grams of protein equals 7.5 ounces of chicken (60 grams), one 12-ounce steak (85 grams), two 6-ounce cans of tuna (80 grams), a half dozen eggs (35 grams), 3 cups of milk (25 grams), and 7 ounces of tofu (15 grams).

How many calories are in 2 eggs? ›

An average serving size of two eggs contains only 148 calories or 620 kilojoules – roughly the same as two apples.

What should be the biggest meal of the day for weight loss? ›

Even if you can't eat an early dinner, you should try to make breakfast and lunch your biggest meals of the day and dinner your smallest. If you're used to eating a small lunch and a big dinner, then switch the order. You can make your dinner a meal that's heavy on vegetables to lighten it up.

What happens if I only eat 500 calories a day for a month? ›

Danger of deficiencies

The greatest dangers associated with a 500-calorie diet relate to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to many health problems. In fact, most people cannot meet their vitamin and mineral requirements if they eat less than 1200 calories per day.

How can I eat a lot of protein without calories? ›

Increase your protein intake without a lot of extra calories by choosing lean protein, low-fat or non-fat dairy, fish, eggs, and plant protein. Protein is a vital part of your diet.

How do I get more protein and low calories? ›

Lean protein food sources include lean red meats, skinless poultry, fish, eggs, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Avoid foods high in saturated fats and added sugars, as well as those that are highly processed.

What is the 30 30 30 rule? ›

The 30-30-30 rule is simple. It involves eating 30 grams of protein within the first 30 minutes after you wake up, which is then followed by 30 minutes of exercise. You can eat whatever else you want with your breakfast, but the 30 grams of protein is key.

Should I eat protein if I'm trying to lose weight? ›

So not only can protein help you lose weight, it can also help you keep it off in the long-term ( 3 ). Bottom Line: Eating a high-protein diet can cause weight loss, even without calorie counting, portion control or carb restriction. A modest increase in protein intake can also help prevent weight regain.

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