7 Healthy Protein-Packed Recipes Under 300 Calories

Mar 29 2017
https://d2gtpjxvvd720b.cloudfront.net/assets/emails/question@2x-a02b76db47a4ac32799e8b19315b3cbf.png 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
https://d2gtpjxvvd720b.cloudfront.net/assets/emails/answer@2x-5ee5d524b01e4c5483f379894f2fa825.png 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.)

Protein for everyone! Forward these recipes to all your pals, or just hit "Send to a Friend."

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