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When it comes to meals, there are clever ways to cook – with ingredients that give you a bigger portion without adding extra calories, or you can use a magic ingredient with no calories to help fill you up – water!
The science
It's all about energy density. 'Energy density' is the amount of energy (or calories) per gram of food. Foods with low energy density provide fewer calories per gram of food – but they are quite bulky, which means you can eat a large portion with a fairly low calorie contribution as they contain a lot of water – good examples being vegetables. This is what makes them great for increasing the size of meals.
Other examples of low energy foods with a high water content are soups and stews. Also foods like pasta and rice that absorb water and bulk up during cooking.
Tips for getting the most from your calories
- Reduce the quantity of meat in your meal and replace with one or two extra portions of vegetables or pulses.
- Swap out carbs for a vegetable alternative – such as rice for cauliflower rice or spaghetti for courgetti.
- Choose meals that either contain a large quantity of liquid such as soups, curries, casseroles OR foods that absorb a lot of water – rice and pasta – as water adds bulk without adding calories.
Meat free Mondays
Ramen with egg
Serves 2 - 410 kcals per serving
Kcals |
410 |
Fat |
18.4g |
Sat fat |
4.8g |
Carbs |
38.1g |
Sugar |
8.4g |
Fibre |
7.6g |
Protein |
21.1g |
Salt |
2.92g |
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 reduced salt vegetable stock cube
- 1 litre of hot water
- 150g enoki mushrooms
- 150g pak choi
- 200g plain ramen noodles
- 2 medium eggs, hard boiled and halved
- 40g reduced fat feta cheese
- 1 spring onion top, finely sliced
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 nori seaweed sheets
Method
- Place a large saucepan over a high heat, add the sesame oil and heat through.
- Once the oil is hot, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften. Then add the garlic, ginger and chilli and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the stock cube and water and bring to the boil. Then add the enoki and pak choi, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the pack instructions. Rinse under cold water and divide between two large bowls.
- Remove the pak choi and enoki from the pan and set aside. Pour half the broth over each of the noodle bowls.
- Top with the pak choi, enoki, eggs, feta, spring onion, sesame seeds and seaweed and serve.
Tasty Tuesdays
Bolognese with courgetti
Serves 2 - 409 kcals per serving
Kcals |
409 |
Fat |
14.0g |
Sat fat |
6.4g |
Carbs |
29.3g |
Sugar |
25.0g |
Fibre |
10.8g |
Protein |
41.7g |
Salt |
2.71g |
Ingredients
- Frylight
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 sticks of celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 400g lean steak mince (5% fat)
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- 6 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 reduced salt beef stock cube
- Few sprigs fresh basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 large courgettes (approx. 300g each)
- 30g parmesan cheese
Method
- Place a frying pan over a low-medium heat and heat the Frylight. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot and cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to soften.
- Add the mince and cook until browned.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, stock, basil, oregano and 150ml water and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 30minutes.
- When the bolognese is almost done, cut the courgette into thin ribbons with a peeler or use a spiraliser. Cook in a pan of boiling water for 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the courgetti topped with the bolognese sauce and parmesan shavings.
Wellness Wednesdays
Quorn lasagne with butternut squash pasta
Serves 4 - 370 kcals per serving
Kcals |
370 |
Fat |
9.2g |
Sat fat |
4.2g |
Carbs |
35.9g |
Sugar |
22.7g |
Fibre |
12.4g |
Protein |
34.4g |
Salt |
1.22g |
Ingredients
- Frylight
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 sticks of celery, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 200g mushrooms, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 500g Quorn mince
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 400g tin chopped tomato
- 1 reduced salt beef stock cube
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 300ml skimmed milk
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 200g reduced fat soft cheese
- 60g reduced fat cheddar
- 400g butternut squash lasagne sheets
- Few sprigs fresh basil
Method
- Lightly spray a large frying pan with Frylight and place over a medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot and mushrooms, and cook for 4 minutess. Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Next add the Quorn mince, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, stock cube, herbs and 100ml water to the pan and season well with black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-6 minutes. After 4 minutes add the spinach and allow to wilt.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas mark 6. Mix 2 tbsp of the milk with the cornflour in a small bowl to make a paste. In a pan add the remaining milk and nutmeg and bring to a simmer. Stir in the soft cheese and paste and cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Melt in two-thirds of the cheese.
- Spoon a quarter of the tomato mix into an oven proof dish, top with a quarter of the butternut lasagne sheets, then a third of the white sauce. Repeat two more times.
- For the last layer, add the rest of the butternut squash lasagne sheets, top with the leftover tomato sauce mix, sprinkle over the remaining cheese and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with basil and serve immediately.
Thrifty Thursdays
Bean Burritos
Serves 2 - 482 kcals per serving
Kcals |
482 |
Fat |
5.8g |
Sat fat |
2.2g |
Carbs |
85.5g |
Sugar |
8.7g |
Fibre |
13.6g |
Protein |
19.3g |
Salt |
2.28g |
Ingredients
- 100g brown rice, dried
- ½ reduced salt vegetable stock cube
- 2 wholemeal wraps
- 60g fresh tomato salsa
- 50g 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 2 handfuls of shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 handfuls of shredded red cabbage
- 2 tbsp sliced jalapeno peppers
- ½ 400g tin black beans, drained
- 2 tsp taco seasoning mix
- 2 handfuls of mixed salad leaves
- ½ red pepper, sliced
- ½ yellow pepper slice
Method
- Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the stock cube and the rice. Mix together, reduce the heat to medium and cook the rice for 25 minutes.
- When the rice is nearly done, warm the wraps in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Lay each wrap on a plate, top with the salsa, yogurt, lettuce, cabbage and jalapenos.
- Drain the rice, then return to the pan with the beans and taco seasoning. Return to the heat and warm through for 2 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Top the wraps with the rice and bean mix, then wrap up tightly and cut each wrap in half to serve.
- Serve with a mixed side salad of leaves and pepper slices.
Fish Fridays
Prawn and vegetable stir fry
Serves 2 - 461 kcals per serving
Kcals |
461 |
Fat |
15.2g |
Sat fat |
2.4g |
Carbs |
54.4g |
Sugar |
11.6g |
Fibre |
5.7g |
Protein |
25.0g |
Salt |
3.23g |
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
- 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 400g pack mixed stir fry vegetables
- 300g fresh flat rice noodles
- 150g pack cooked & peeled king prawns
- 2 tbsp reduced salt soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light sweet chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Few sprigs of coriander, chopped
Method
- Heat the sesame oil in a wok over a low-medium heat. Add the garlic, chilli and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the stir fry vegetables, mix well and turn up the heat to medium. Stir-fry for 4 minutes until the vegetables are starting to soften but are still firm.
- Meanwhile cook the noodles according to the pack instructions.
- Add the prawns, soy sauce and chilli sauce to the stir-fried veg and cook for 2-3 minutes until piping hot.
- Add the noodles and mix together until well combined. Serve immediately in warm bowls sprinkled with the sesame seeds and fresh coriander.
Spicy Saturdays
Easy chicken curry with cauli rice
Serves 4 - 390 kcals per serving
Kcals |
390 |
Fat |
12.1g |
Sat fat |
1.8g |
Carbs |
23.9g |
Sugar |
18.3g |
Fibre |
5.2g |
Protein |
45.7g |
Salt |
2.14g |
Ingredients
- 600g skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 150g tikka curry paste
- 250g low fat natural yogurt
- Frylight
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cauliflower head, cut into florets
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- Handful of fresh coriander, chopped
Method
- Mix the chicken, curry paste and half the yogurt in a large bowl. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Lightly spray a large frying pan with Frylight and set over a low to medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes. Add the pepper and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken and the marinade to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, over a low heat for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in the tinned tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, then half-fill the can with water and add to the pan. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened, then remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, put the cauliflower florets in a food processor. Pulse several times until they break down into rice-sized pieces. Tip them onto a tea towel and squeeze gently to remove any excess moisture.
- Lightly spray a frying pan with Frylight and set over a medium heat. Add the cauliflower and turmeric to the pan with a tbsp water, mix together and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until hot. Alternatively, microwave on high for 3 minutes.
- Stir the remaining yogurt and most of the coriander into the chicken curry. Serve immediately with the cauli rice, garnished with sprigs of coriander.
Sumptuous Sundays
Slow cooker chicken and vegetable stew
Serves 4 - 421 kcals per serving
Kcals |
421 |
Fat |
4.2g |
Sat fat |
1.3g |
Carbs |
44.8g |
Sugar |
10.9g |
Fibre |
12.8g |
Protein |
48.2g |
Salt |
1.71g |
Ingredients
- 600g skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery sticks, washed and chopped
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced
- 200g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 reduced salt chicken stock cube
- 600ml water
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 400g tin butter beans, drained
- 210g tin kidney beans, drained
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 small wholemeal crusty bread rolls
Method
- Put all of the ingredients except for the beans, fresh thyme and pepper into a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender and the vegetables have softened.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the beans. At this stage, if needed, use a little cornflour to thicken the stew.
- Season with pepper and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with a wholemeal crusty bread roll.
Nutritionist Emma White (ANutr), MSc Human Nutrition is passionate about how food science applies to the human body, and how the nutrients in what we eat affect us and ultimately have an impact on our health.