Looking for high protein low cal meals that go beyond chicken and a pile of lettuce? Think shrimp bowls, colorful stuffed peppers and eggs with plenty of greens.
These pictures give you lots of combinations to build on, whether you’re planning breakfast or deciding what’s for dinner.
You can keep things simple or try something a little different. These are meal ideas rather than verified low-calorie recipes: protein and calories depend on your ingredients, portions and cooking methods.
Protein-focused meal ideas worth saving
chicken and colorful vegetables
We’re starting off strong with this browned chicken and colorful vegetable plate. I love the mix of asparagus, zucchini and long orange carrot pieces beside the sliced chicken.
Keep the charred lemon half if you want to follow this presentation. It’s a lovely little finishing touch.
meatballs and zucchini noodles
Don’t want another salad? No problem! This pan pairs browned meatballs with a big tangle of zucchini noodles and chopped herbs.
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For your own version, you could choose lean turkey or chicken meatballs. The photo alone doesn’t tell us which meat was used.
shrimp cauliflower rice bowls
How good do these bowls look? The cauliflower rice is mixed with shrimp, pieces of egg and colorful vegetables. I especially love the sliced green onions scattered over the top.
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Save this one if you like a bowl with lots of different little bites rather than everything served separately.
golden seasoned fish
If you are looking for something simple, this one is for you. The white fish has a lightly golden surface with specks of seasoning, plus big flakes separating at the edge.
I’d serve a portion with broccoli or a chopped cucumber salad to turn it into a meal.
Read also: 20 High Protein Meal Prep Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
filled red pepper halves
I love these bright red pepper halves piled with a flaked filling and chopped greens. There’s no need for an elaborate presentation when the pepper itself makes such a pretty little bowl.
To make your own protein-focused version, try tuna or shredded chicken mixed with herbs and a dressing you like.
scrambled eggs and spinach
Don’t want to go all out for breakfast? This plate of scrambled eggs and wilted spinach keeps things simple.
The big yellow curds and dark green leaves look so good together.
You could include extra egg whites in your own scramble if you want to increase the protein without adding more yolks.
chicken fajita lettuce wraps
These chicken fajita lettuce wraps may just be one of my favorites here. I love the red onion strips and colorful pepper rings piled over the browned chicken.
Use broad lettuce leaves for your own version so there’s room for the filling. Keep the chopped herbs on top if you like that extra green finish.
bean chili with colorful toppings
This is for you if you love a bowl with plenty going on. There are pale beans, crumbled meat and a reddish broth, all topped with diced red onion, herbs and a white dollop.
For your own topping, plain Greek yogurt would be an option. The picture doesn’t establish what’s used here.
salmon cucumber and dill
I am obsessed with this salmon and cucumber combination. The orange fish pieces look gorgeous beside the cucumber rounds, with dill scattered all through the bowl.
Don’t forget a lemon wedge if you want to follow the same serving idea.
tofu and edamame cucumber salad
Looking for a plant-based idea? Try a combination like this tofu, edamame and cucumber bowl.
The thin cucumber slices sit between pale tofu cubes, with sesame seeds and red chili flecks throughout.
I’d keep the edamame rather than making this just a cucumber salad. It gives you another protein-containing ingredient alongside the tofu.
berries over a white curd base
How pretty is this little berry bowl? Blueberries and raspberries cover one side of a white, crumbly-looking base.
For a similar breakfast, choose cottage cheese or thick Greek yogurt and pile your berries on top. You don’t need lots of extras to copy this simple presentation.
beef broccoli and mushrooms
The mushroom slices are my favorite part of this beef and broccoli pan. There’s a glossy sauce over the beef, plus green onions and sesame seeds scattered on top.
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If you’re recreating the combination, choose a lean cut of beef and measure the sauce and cooking oil to suit your meal plan.
cranberry chicken cucumber boats
Here’s another vegetable boat idea, but this one uses long cucumber halves. The cranberry chicken salad is piled high, with dark red cranberry pieces across the top.
I love this as a change from serving chicken salad between slices of bread. Keep the filling easy to scoop so you can spread it along the cucumber.
chicken and vegetable soup
If you’re looking for a soup with plenty of visible vegetables, go with this idea. Shredded chicken sits in a golden broth with peas, zucchini and red and yellow vegetable pieces.
Read also: 20 Crockpot Dinner Recipes and Ideas for Your Next Meal
The larger chicken shreds are worth keeping in your own version. They make this look like more than just a bowl of broth.
pork chops and green beans
These browned pork chops look so good nestled among the green beans. I especially love the golden edges and the seasoning scattered across the tops.
For a version that fits your calorie goals, choose lean chops and account for the cooking fat and pan juices when portioning your meal.
colorful shrimp ceviche
This shrimp ceviche bowl is full of color! There are shrimp pieces mixed with chopped cucumber, tomato, red onion and greens.
For a home version, I’d use fully cooked shrimp. Citrus juice alone doesn’t reliably make raw seafood safe to eat.
saucy stuffed zucchini
I love these zucchini boats with their chunky red filling. The light sprinkling of grated cheese and little basil leaves make them look especially inviting.
You could use lean ground turkey or crumbled tofu in your own tomato-based filling. Keep the zucchini halves as the base to follow this idea.
golden scallops and chives
Want something that looks a little dressier? These scallops have deeply browned tops and sit over a textured yellow base with chopped chives.
The base isn’t identifiable from the photo. For your own plate, a vegetable purée would be a lovely option alongside the scallops.
spinach and mushroom frittata
This is another egg idea, but it’s a little different from the scramble above. Mushroom slices and leafy greens run through the frittata, with pale cheese pieces dotted across the top.
I love the wedge-shaped serving. Add a tomato salad on the side if you want another vegetable with yours.
golden breakfast pancakes
Last but definitely not least, we have this stack of golden pancakes. The plain tops keep the focus on those browned edges.
You can’t tell the protein content from a picture. To try a protein-focused version, choose a Greek yogurt or cottage cheese pancake recipe with protein and calorie information.
Then portion the pancakes and toppings to suit your goals.