These recipes are surprisingly filling, and totally delicious, too!
There are so many benefits to eating more plant-based meals. Eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and legumes is not only an ideal way to boost the nutrient density of your food, but these ingredients also tend to be less expensive than meat. They usually have fewer calories, too! Make weight loss easier than ever by preparing some of these plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories.
Eating a few meatless dinners a week is a great way to get started with a plant-based diet. Remember that, unlike vegan diets, plant-based eating doesn’t require a strict commitment. It’s a really approachable way to change your diet, one meal at a time. You can totally be a burger lover and choose to eat a meatless burger as a healthier alternative from time to time! If you’re interested in how to get your family to eat more plant-based foods, try making one of our favorite plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories. You’ll be surprised at how delicious these meals are, all in a low-calorie, easy-to-make, affordable package!
Here’s Your Plant-Based Dinner Recipes Under 299 Calories
1. Coconut Curry Cauliflower — 88 calories
There’s so much to love about this delicious curry recipe. It’s not only delicious, but it also has a shockingly low number of calories. We created it with all plant-based ingredients, and it will be ready to eat in 30 minutes. Serve the curried cauliflower over brown rice, or boost the protein content of this dish by serving it with quinoa.
Cauliflower is one of our favorite plant-based ingredients. The texture of a whole roasted cauliflower will satisfy meat eater’s appetites, and it’s available at a fraction of the cost of a steak or pork chop. Oh, and that sweet balsamic glaze? So tasty!
Try the recipe: Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower
3. Plant-Based Slow Cooker Chili Recipe — 216 calories
This chili recipe is perfect for a no-fuss dinner. Just soak the beans overnight, throw the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and let it cook away while you’re at work. It’s so easy and delicious, making this one of those plant-based dinner recipes that you’ll make again and again.
Try the recipe: Plant-Based Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
You won’t even miss the meat with all the complex flavors in this veggie-friendly tortilla soup recipe. It only takes 30 minutes to pull together, but you can easily meal prep this one for the week. We think the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Try the recipe: Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe
5. Protein Packed Black Bean and Lentil Soup Recipe — 248 calories
This recipe is proof that plant-based recipes have plenty of protein to keep you feeling full for hours. The combination of lentils and black beans provides 13 grams of protein per serving. Between the beans and the chunky carrots, this soup also has a meaty texture that will satisfy the carnivores at the table.
Try the recipe: Protein Packed Black Bean and Lentil Soup Recipe
6. Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa — 249 calories
This dinner recipe is one of our favorites for transitioning plant-based eaters. It tastes strikingly similar to the vegetarian dish that uses real cheese, but our version uses dairy-free Parmesan made from cashews. It’s comforting and familiar, but much healthier.
Try the recipe: Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa
7. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl — 279 calories
We saved the best for last, but you will have to make one tiny adjustment to this recipe to make it fit this list of plant-based dinner recipes under 299 calories. Instead of using yogurt for the recipe’s yogurt dressing topping, use our recipe for dairy-free sour cream. You can modify this recipe using your favorite vegetables, so have some fun with it!
Try the recipe: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl
Enjoyed this post? Check out more:
50 Slow Cooker Recipes Under 300 Calories
Grilled Sweet Potato Steaks with Balsamic Glaze
15 Easy Meals Under 300 Calories
Skillet Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Potatoes | One-Pot Recipes
If you loved these recipes, take the 30-Day Plant-Based Challenge. Make sure to subscribe to our daily eNewsletter or follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for access to the newest plant-based recipes.
For most people, a calorie deficit of 300–500 is sufficient to lose 0.5 kilograms (kg) (1.1 pounds) per week. However, this needs to be re-evaluated constantly, especially as you lose weight.
Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts are the stars of all plant-based diets. More and more people seem to be making the switch to plant-based diet foods.
Simply replacing animal foods with plant foods high in carbohydrates can result in a 27% reduction in cortisol levels (29). People eating plant-based diets have also been shown to have lower insulin levels (despite consuming more carbohydrates) and less abdominal fat (6,7).
Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.
You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes. And you'll cut high-sugar tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and bananas, as well as fruit juices and sweets.
Is Pasta Vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.
As with many food items, in its simplest form, peanut butter should always be vegan. The vast majority of peanut butters you find in grocery stores will therefore be fully plant-based. Traditional peanut butter is made from peanuts and often a small amount of salt or oil.
1. Definition of a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet consists of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
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.
Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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