The Mediterranean Diet (lifestyle) is one of the most popular and healthy meal plans around. It’s also backed by a ton of scientific research, so the claims have some truth.

 

One of the secrets to this healthy lifestyle is the fact that in additional to is being heavy in the veggies department and grouping meats and sweets together and recommending you limit them, is the low calorie meals.

At the end of the day, if you want to lose weight, it comes down to two things: calories in vs calories burned.


That’s the bottom line.

While there are healthy and unhealthy ways of doing this, the best is gradual and eating healthy meals.

500 calorie meals become the perfect choice. At three meals a day, that’s 1,500 calories. With your added snack you’re at 2,000. If you’re losing weight, you may want to come in at 1800 (whatever your doctor recommends), so you can easily adjust.

Below are some meals and snacks that are 500 calories or less per servings.

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor nor health professional. Thus, I don’t have some scientific proof that these are in fact 500 or less, but using my best idment, I believe them to be.

 

1. Herb soup - The perfect fit for a cold day. Add some of your favorite herbs to a pan, a little greek yogurt (yay for protein), and blend. The result? A unique soupd that’s healthy and low in calories guaranteed to fill you up.
   
2. Shells Filled With Chicken Mediterranean Salad -  I love these things. They are so addicting. Also, perfect for when you’re entertaining guests. It’s essentially, some chicken and a greek salad (lettuce, cucumber, feta, olives,) stuffed inside a large pasta shell. And the dressing that goes with it? Amazing!
   

1. Zucchini With Garlic & Olive Oil - Talk about spicing up zucchini. Toss some olive oil, garlic, vegetable broth and a few herbs in a pan and simmer. Top with feta and you’re off to the races! And a healthy snack.
   
2. Greek Stuffed Tomatoes With Rice and Meat -  A delight meat mixture stuffed inside a tomato. Just make sure you’re getting extra lean meat here. One of these with a side Greek salad, and it’s the perfect dinner.
   
3. Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salad) - Since I mentioned it in the one above, might as well make it official. Remember, traditional Greek salads don’t have lettuce, so here you’re getting cucumbers, olives, onions, and feta.
   
4. Watermelon and Feta salad - Speaking of salads, lets include one that does have lettuce. I don’t know if you’ve ever had watermelon with feta before, but the sweet salty combination is so delicious I can eat a few bowls of this easily.
   
5. Sfougato | Quiche From Rhodes - The perfect breakfast. A quiche made with eggs, vegetables, lean beef, and herbs. It’s delicious and it’s been around since 600 AD.
   
6. Tomato Chicken With Orzo And Olives -  The title gives it away. It’s easy to make and the perfect dinner option for a quick dinner. Just watch how much orzo you scoop on your plate.
   
7. Scallops and Greek Noodles - A simple fish and noodles dish. Nothing much to say accept - yummy!
   
8. Corfu Fish Stew - A semi-spiced fish dish that’s a staple on the island of Corfu. I recommend a nice piece of cod. However, your favorite one will do.