Low Calorie Ideas.com

Who doesn’t love chocolate dipped strawberries? Enjoy one of these amazingly luscious and creamy low calorie chocolate dipped strawberries for just 20 calories, or have five of them for 100 calories! There aren’t many 100 calorie snacks out there that can compete with these fat-free beauties.

While these strawberries won’t have a hardened shell like traditional dipped strawberries, they will taste really great and the creaminess is an added bonus. Whip up these low calorie sweet snacks in five minutes or less!

Yields: 15 Large Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Calories: 20 calorie per strawberry or 100 calorie for five strawberries

You’ll need:

• 15 large strawberries
• 1/4 cup of fat-free sour cream
• 4 tbsp fat-free chocolate syrup or sauce
• 1 packet of sweetener or sugar

Directions:

1. Wash strawberries and thoroughly pat dry.

2. In a mixing bowl, mix together sour cream, chocolate sauce and sweetener until the consistency is smooth and the color is uniform.

3. Dip each strawberry in dip mixture and enjoy!

Notes and Variations:

Make sure the strawberries are completely dry so the coating sticks. You may even want to let them air dry for 30 minutes after washing and patting them dry.

You could also try making this with fat-free cream cheese, for a thicker consistency. Or, you could also use fat-free whipped topping, in place of the sour cream.

Since this chocolate coating won’t harden, instead of dipping the chocolates you may also want to serve it in the center of a fruit platter.

This recipe also works great with other fruit. Try it with bananas, pineapple, or anything that tastes great with chocolate!

Looking for another fruit dip? Check out this yummy low calorie pumpkin pie dip recipe.

Guess what? It is possible to make a delicious and savory omelette for under 200 calories. Read on for 3 great variations that will help you stick to your healthy low calorie diet. Eggs are a fantastic weight loss super food and you should try to eat them every morning. If you’re tired of scrambled eggs, try a filling omelette!

Omelettes can be a breakfast in themselves, or add a piece of dry whole wheat toast, a 6oz glass of orange juice or cup of fruit for a well-rounded, low calorie breakfast idea!

Before we get on to the low calorie omelette ideas, here are some basic tips and tricks on how to reduce the calories in your omelettes to just under 200 calories.

• Use egg whites, instead of yolks. One egg white has 17 calories and an entire egg, including yolk is about 70 calories. While most traditional omelettes call for three full eggs and cream or milk, make the following switch and save on calories so you can use that deficit to add yummy fillings!

Low Calorie Ham and Cheddar Omelette

Just like mom used to make! You’ll never guess that this rich and filling omelette comes in at just under 200 calories.

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites OR 2 egg whites and one whole egg
• 1/4 cup (1 oz) of fat-free cheddar cheese
• 1 slice of lean ham lunch meat, ripped into pieces
• 1/2 onion, diced

Total calories =  180 calories when using egg whites or 233 calories, using 1 whole egg and two egg whites

Directions:

1. Heat pan to medium heat.
2. Evenly and lightly coat pan in olive oil or non-stick spray.
3. Sauté the diced onions, until slightly brown.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs.
5. Pour in eggs on top of onions and gently scramble.
6. Once egg begins to solidify (takes about 30 seconds), let it rest.
7. Turn heat down to low.
8. Sprinkle on ham and cheddar cheese evenly over omelet.
9. Let sit for 45 seconds.
10. Fold omelet in half and plate.

Low Calorie Greek Omelette

I absolutely love Mediterranean food. It’s so healthy and I can’t get enough of the flavors and how they combine. This is one of my favorite omelettes that I make a few times a week.

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites OR 2 egg whites and one whole egg
• 1/4 cup (1 oz) of fat-free feta cheese
• 2 artichoke hearts, diced (not the kind stored in oil!)
• 1/2 onion, diced onion
• 1/2 cup of washed and thoroughly drained spinach leaves

Directions:

1. Heat pan to medium heat.
2. Evenly and lightly coat pan in olive oil or non-stick spray.
3. Sauté the diced onions and artichoke hearts, until slightly brown.
4. Add in spinach leaves and gently sauté.
5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs.
6. Pour in eggs on top of veggies and gently scramble.
7. Once egg begins to solidify (takes about 30 seconds), let it rest.
8. Turn heat down to low.
9. Sprinkle on feta cheese evenly over omelet.
10. Let sit for 45 seconds.
11. Fold omelet in half and plate.

Low Calorie Veggies & Cheese Omelette

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites OR 2 egg whites and one whole egg
• 1/4 cup (1 oz) of fat-free mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of washed and sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 onion, diced onion
• 1/2 cup of washed and thoroughly drained spinach leaves
• 1 tbsp diced green pepper

Directions:

1. Heat pan to medium heat.
2. Evenly and lightly coat pan in olive oil or non-stick spray.
3. Sauté the diced onions, pepper and mushrooms until almost cooked.
4. Add in spinach leaves and gently sauté until everything is done.
5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs.
6. Pour in eggs on top of veggies and gently scramble.
7. Once egg begins to solidify (takes about 30 seconds), let it rest.
8. Turn heat down to low.
9. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese.
10. Let sit for 45 seconds.
11. Fold omelet in half and plate.

More Low Calorie Breakfast Ideas:

Low Calorie Breakfast Burritos

Low Calorie Fruit & Yogurt Parfait Ideas

5 Awesome Low Calorie Breakfast Ideas

Healthy Low Calorie Cereals

This savory brown rice pilaf recipe has a complex and nutty flavor to excite your tastebuds. It’s a simple base which you can enhance with your favorite herbs and veggies. Use fast cooking brown rice or long-grain brown rice to suit your busy lifestyle.

Brown rice is such a delicious and healthy grain that is packed with fiber and flavor. I try to eat a lot of it as eating brown rice with my meal ensures that I feel full, satisfied and that I stay full, for longer. I like to call it my “miracle carb”!

Here are some ideas on how to work this low calorie brown rice pilaf into your low calorie diet menu for an (approximate) 350-400 calorie lunch or dinner:

• 1/2 cup of brown rice pilaf
• 3 oz of grilled salmon
• 1 cup of steamed broccoli with lemon

• 1/2 cup of brown rice pilaf
• 3 oz of grilled chicken
• 1/2 cup of roasted cauliflower

This recipe makes approximately (4) 1/2 cup servings.

You’ll Need:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice, long-grain (see notes below for using quick cooking brown rice)
• 2 & 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and wait 10 seconds.

2. Begin to sauté onion, stirring frequently, until translucent.

3. Add the garlic and rice and sauté until the rice begins to toast.

4. Add the chicken broth and salt, to taste.

5. Bring to a boil.

6. Turn to low heat and cover.

7. Cook for approximately 40-45 minutes until the rice is done.

Remove from heat, “fluff” with a fork and serve.

Notes and Variations:

Important! Make sure to check the rice several times during the last 15 minutes of cooking to ensure there is enough liquid.

Add in sautéed veggies such as asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, for even more flavor. Shredded carrots work great, too.

Cooking brown rice can be a challenge, depending on the type you use. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 1/4 cups of liquid for every cup of dry brown rice you’re making, however you’ll want to watch the liquid levels as you cook your pilaf and add more, if necessary.

To substitute “instant” brown rice for regular long-grain brown rice follow the liquid suggestions on the package, as well as the cooking time.