300 Calorie Lunch Ideas

There are a lot of reasons to want to eat a 300 calorie lunch.

Whether you’re trying to eat out less, reach a weight loss goal or be intentional about only eating food that is going to nourish your body and not leave you feeling sluggish. Whatever your reason for a 300 calorie lunch, there’s no substitute for cooking your own meals and knowing every ingredient that goes into each dish.

Everything store-bought seems to be laden with calories and unhealthy ingredients, making it tricky to whip together a lunch at home. So I understand that it can feel like your food choices are limited.

That’s why I’ve got you covered! I took the legwork out of finding the best 300 calorie lunch recipes.

Because lunchtime is all about refueling so you can keep going on with your day.  Your meal should fill you up and give you energy.

The following 300 calorie lunch recipes are high protein, all under 300 calories, and are totally delicious, too!

1. Beet Hummus & Greens Sandwich

by LaaLoosh

 

Deli meats and cheeses move aside. This sandwich livens things up utilizing the simplest ingredients like whole grain bread, radishes, baby spinach, alfalfa sprouts, beet hummus, and avocado. Get the full recipe here!

Plus, the oleic acid in avocados’ healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) keep feelings of hunger at bay.

2. Healthy Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl

by Fit Foodie Finds

 

Buddha bowls are a great way to incorporate a ton of veggies into one meal, and this healthy Thai coconut quinoa bowl is no exception. Get the full recipe here!

It’s the perfect vegetarian lunch complete with so many weight loss-enhancing ingredients.

Ginger and garlic have long been recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects, while sweet potatoes, rich in fiber, help keep you full longer.

Related: Healthy and Delicious Lunch Recipes For Weight Loss

3. Mango Chicken Salad with Avocado

by The Real Food RDs

There’s so much goodness in this innovative recipe. Chicken salad is the perfect lunchtime option, but the same old recipe can get boring after a while.

This refreshing recipe features mango, kale, red cabbage, sweet bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro all beautifully combined into a delicious salad. Get the full recipe here!

Chicken is packed with protein, which is essential for weight loss, as it boosts satiety and increases post-meal calorie burn by as much as 35 percent!

4. Low-Carb Pesto and Turkey Cucumber Roll-Ups

by Ambitious Kitchen

 

When a salad isn’t cutting it and a sandwich feels too heavy, these roll-ups are perfect.

They’re great to take on the go and eat at your leisure, or even have one as a snack in the late afternoon. So easy to make, these cucumber rolls feature one stand-out ingredient for weight loss: bell peppers.

Rich in vitamin C, they can help to fight off cortisol, a hormone that causes fat to accumulate around the midsection.

At only 52 calories per rollup, you can snack on these all afternoon.

5. Low-Cal Southwestern Chicken Soup

A bowl of this hearty, delicious soup only comes in under 300 calories and I promise it will fill you up and become a new family favorite recipe. Get the full recipe here!

This lunch recipe is low-cal, easy to make, and a great way to sneak vegetables and fiber into your diet.

6. Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Goat Cheese & Lemon Vinaigrette

by Ambitious Kitchen

Who said salads can’t taste indulgent? This fresh and bright lunchtime meal is full of fun ingredients.

Quinoa is low on the glycemic index, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar, causing a sudden crash that will result in sugar or simple carbohydrate cravings soon after. Get the full recipe here!

The crunchy addition of the sunflower seeds means more protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and fiber.

7. Turmeric Tuna Boats

While classic tuna salad is typically filled with mayo, this recipe uses hummus instead to keep the calorie count down and the protein levels up. Get the full recipe here!

The addition of the healthy spice turmeric keeps bloating at bay, while the sliced red peppers add zest and that beloved addition of vitamin C for your weight loss needs.

8. Kale Rainbow Detox Salad

by Ambitious Kitchen

We’ve been hearing about kale as a superfood for some time now, but before you think this salad is played out, just listen up to the lively ingredients involved.

A delicious vegan and gluten-free salad, it offers an array of nutritious vegetables and fruits like red, orange, and yellow bell peppers, carrots, red onion, cilantro, parsley, roasted almonds, and avocado. Get the full recipe here!

Plus, kale is rich in phytonutrients, such as quercetin, which helps combat inflammation.

9. Blueberry Corn Salad

by A Healthy Life For Me

The search for the perfect summer salad has ended with this innovative recipe made with corn, jalapeño, and deliciously sweet blueberries that can help battle the bulge by providing you with vitamin C, potassium, powerful antioxidants, and fiber to assist your digestive system. Get the full recipe here!

READ THIS NEXT: 11 Dinner Recipes Under 400 Calories