Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

By: Denise Bustard7 Comments
Posted: 2/26/21Updated: 2/26/21

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Looking to keep your lunches light? These meal prep lunch recipes all clock in at under 400 calories, yet are still filling and satisfying.

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (1)

For many of us, meal prep is all about sticking to our healthy eating goals: convenient healthy food that will keep from over-indulging.

But have you ever found a delicious looking meal prep recipe, only to find out it has over 650 calories per serving? I have. Yikes.

When I create a meal prep lunch recipe for this site, my goal is somewhere near 400 calories. I find that in this ballpark, you get the perfect intersection of a decent-sized portion that will actually fill you up, healthy grains, proteins, plenty of veggies, and you don't need to sacrifice on flavor, either!

Today I've rounded up 24 of my favorite meal prep lunch recipes under 400 calories! With vegetarian, low carb, and veggie-packed options, there are a variety of proteins and I'm sure there is something that will work for everyone.

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

Disclaimer: nutritional information for these recipes are strictly estimates and not guaranteed to be accurate. See mynutritional disclaimerfor more information.

Korean-Inspired Turkey Meal Prep Bowls

These ground turkey meal prep bowls have a delicious Korean-inspired sauce! Packed with flavor and under 400 calories per bowl, you can prep this recipe on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches through the week.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (2)

Low Carb Cheesy Chicken and Rice Meal Prep

Low carb cheesy chicken and rice is a delicious low carb lunch option! Pan-fried chicken breast and broccoli are smothered with cheese and served over cauliflower rice. Filling but light with only 5 g carbs and 43 g of protein.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (3)

Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls

These turkey taco meal prep bowls with turkey taco meat, corn, pico de gallo and brown rice are simple, but filling. Make them ahead for four delicious lunches.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (4)

Egg Roll in a Bowl (30 min, low carb)

Egg roll in a bowl tastes just like your favorite take out and comes together quickly using a single pan. With only 7 g net carbs, this recipe has slaw, ground pork, and a delicious sauce.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (5)

Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken Taco Salad Lunch Bowls

Make your meal prep hands off with this smoky chipotle honey twist on a taco salad. The chicken simmers in the slow cooker, with the sauce doubling as a dressing for the salad!

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (6)

Perfect Egg Fried Rice (+ Variations)

Showing you how to cook perfect egg fried rice! Made with a simple ingredient list including rice, carrots, beans and eggs tossed in a simple soy and sesame oil sauce. It's kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for using up what you have in your fridge and pantry.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (7)

Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet

Vegan Moroccan chickpea skillet is freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes and spicy Moroccan seasoning.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (8)

Chili Lime Sweet Potato and Chicken Skillet

This Chili Lime Sweet Potato and Chicken Skillet recipe is a healthy one pan dinner recipe that works great for meal prep. GF, vegan- and paleo-friendly.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (9)

Meal Prep Chicken Fajitas (Sheet Pan)

Sheet pan chicken fajitas with tender and juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions tossed in a delicious homemade fajita seasoning. Ideal for meal prep or for a simple weeknight dinner.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (10)

BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls

BBQ Meatloaf Meal Prep Bowls are an easy lunch idea that you are going to be so excited to eat! With cajun mashed sweet potatoes, steamed green beans and mini BBQ meatloaves.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (11)

Vegan Spring Roll Bowls (Meal Prep)

This vegan spring roll bowl meal prep makes four lunch portions that you can enjoy through the week! With crumbled tofu, crunchy veggies, and a tangy peanut sauce.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (12)

Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils

Moroccan Instant Pot lentils made with sweet potato, tomatoes, carrots, and warming spices! Vegan comfort food at it's finest, this recipe is gluten-free, freezer-friendly, and delicious.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (13)

Instant Pot Fiesta Rice Bowls

These instant Pot fiesta rice bowls are a vegetarian, gluten-free recipe that works great for meal prep! Just dump it all in the Instant Pot, press the button, and you're done!

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (14)

Farro Arugula Salad (Meal Prep)

This farro arugula salad is a delicious vegetarian meal prep recipe! With snap peas, feta cheese, egg and a tangy vinaigrette, it is filling and delicious!

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (15)

Cobb Salad Recipe (Keto, GF, Meal Prep)

This hearty cobb salad is loaded with crispy bacon, hard boiled eggs, blue cheese, avocado, and topped with a red wine vinaigrette! Prep it ahead for a fresh and healthy lunch or dinner!

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (16)

Sesame Ginger Beef + Zucchini Noodles

Sesame ginger beef and zucchini noodles is a delicious lower carb lunch option that is perfect for meal prep! Not only is it fast to make, but tastes delicious and only 4 g net carbs.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (17)

Baked Meatball Meal Prep with Spaghetti Squash

This baked meatball meal prep with spaghetti squash is a lower carb lunch option! Save time and reduce your dishes by baking the meatballs right in your meal prep containers.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (18)

Cajun Chicken Wrap Recipe

This cajun chicken wrap recipe is perfect for meal prep! Ready in under 20 minutes, packed full of veggies, and SO delicious for lunches or dinners!

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (19)

Vegan Sushi Meal Prep

This vegan sushi bowl meal prep has all the flavors of sushi without the rolling! Made with cucumber, carrots, radish, edamame, rice and a sriracha mayo dressing.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (20)

Spicy Tofu Noodles Meal Prep

These spicy tofu noodle meal prep bowls are made with a sweet, savory and spicy sauce, whole-wheat spaghetti, zucchini noodles, and tofu! Make it ahead and enjoy for lunch through the week.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (21)

Low Carb Satay Beef Meal Prep Bowls

With a creamy Thai peanut sauce that serves as both a marinade and dipping sauce, this satay beef meal prep recipe is not short on flavor! Serve it up with cauliflower rice and green beans for a delicious low carb lunch option.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (22)

Low Carb Meatloaf & Cauliflower Mash

Low carb meatloaf and cauliflower mash meal prep is healthy comfort food. Makes five delicious servings perfect for a low carb lunch.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (23)

Santa Fe Chicken Low Carb Meal Prep Bowls

Santa Fe chicken low carb meal prep has cilantro lime cauliflower rice and bell peppers topped with seasoned chicken breast and cheese! 8 g net carbs.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (24)

Pineapple BBQ Tofu Meal Prep

Pineapple BBQ Tofu Bowls are a vegan meal prep option that you can cook on the grill! Sweet, tangy, and a healthy lunch to stock up your fridge.

Check out this recipe

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (25)

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Julie says

    I want to thank you for these. I am struggling with weight and my glucose levels being astronomical and sometimes find all the information on the internet a little overwhelming. These are meals I absolutely can do and will enjoy. I appreciate the time and effort you took to do this.

    Reply

    • Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Hi Julie,
      Thank you for your kind words. The appreciation is reciprocal.😀

      Reply

  2. Julie says

    Thanks for this post. I'm really trying hard to get ahead each week and do more meal prep so this is great. I can't get the recipe for the teriyaki chicken and broccoli to come up, it looks so delicious but the link it takes me to the turkey taco lunch bowls. They all look amazing and wanted to pin the ones I thought would be good for me just can't get this one to work! Thanks again for sharing.

    Reply

  3. Claire Elliott says

    What a brilliant post! Delicious looking recipes with minimal prep and perfectly portable too. Thanks so much for posting this 🙂

    Reply

    • Denise says

      Thank you so much, Claire!

      Reply

Meal Prep Lunch Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

FAQs

Is 400 calories ok for lunch? ›

Although every person's daily caloric intake is individual, based on their personal goals and needs, nutrition experts estimate that average daily consumption at each meal should be broken down as follows: 300 to 400 calories for breakfast, and 500 to 700 calories each for lunch and dinner.

What is an example of a 400 calorie lunch? ›

Chickpea, Artichoke & Avocado Salad with Apple-Cider Dressing. This delicious 400-calorie salad is a helpful tool for weight loss because it provides a good balance of fiber, protein and healthy fats from loads of veggies and beans, all tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette.

How many meals a day should you eat when meal prep? ›

Step 1: Organize Your Meals

Plan on eating about every three hours, with either six small meals a day or three main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and snacks in between.

Will I lose weight if I eat under 400 calories a day? ›

In summary, if you think that your body will respond well to eating only 400 calories of food a day (and you're not too fussy about how it tastes) and doing 3-4 hours of exercise each day then go for it - you will lose weight.

Is 400 calories starvation? ›

400 calories a day is not sufficient regardless of whether they come from protein, carbs or fat. then what amount of calorie deficit is safe to lose weight but also not pass out? You can reduce calorie intake by about 500 calories to lose weight.

What is the lowest calorie food for lunch? ›

Low-cal lunches that never get boring
  • 1Thai-style fried rice. ...
  • 2Healthy tuna pasta bake. ...
  • 3Low-cal vegetarian quesadillas with jalapeno and radish salsa. ...
  • 4Rainbow power salad. ...
  • 5Tuna nicoise poke bowl. ...
  • 6Healthy creamy tomato soup. ...
  • 7Healthy zucchini superfood slice. ...
  • 8Crispy vegie muffin-pan fritters.

What to eat for lunch in a calorie deficit? ›

Low-calorie lunch recipes
  • Chicken satay salad. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  • Pesto spinach penne. A star rating of 3.9 out of 5. ...
  • Tomato soup & hummus crispbreads. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Teriyaki tofu. ...
  • Spicy bean & avocado quesadillas. ...
  • Butter bean curry wraps. ...
  • BLT pasta salad. ...
  • Sweet potato toasts with curried chickpeas.

How many calories should a typical lunch be? ›

If you want to maintain your weight, you should have an even amount of calories throughout your meals. With that being said, this still differs between people. For example, if you consume around 2,000 calories a day, a balanced lunch might consist of approximately 500 to 700 calories.

What snacks can I eat for 400 calories? ›

The following 400-calorie snacks are options you can enjoy wherever you are, from the vending machine to happy hour, and everywhere in between.
  • Popcorn Party Trail Mix. ...
  • Chocolate-Vanilla Twist Ice Cream.
  • Mediterranean Munchies. ...
  • Brownie Bites + Milk. ...
  • Peanut Butter Break.
  • Cheese Lover's Snack. ...
  • Beer + Nuts At The Bar.
Jan 29, 2015

What meals are high in protein but low in calories? ›

34 Low-Calorie, High-Protein Meals for Dinner Tonight
  • 01 of 34. Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Stuffed Chicken Breasts. ...
  • 02 of 34. Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cranberry Relish. ...
  • 03 of 34. Air-Fryer Pork Chops. ...
  • 04 of 34. White Turkey Chili. ...
  • 05 of 34. Chicken Hummus Bowls. ...
  • 06 of 34. Linguine with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 34. ...
  • 08 of 34.
Mar 3, 2023

What fast food has the lowest calories? ›

The 25 Best Low-Calorie Fast Food Options
  • Cava Greek Salad. ...
  • Chipotle Chicken Salad. ...
  • Taco Bell Bean Burrito. ...
  • Pizza Hut Medium Thin 'N Crispy Cheese Pizza. ...
  • Dunkin' Donuts Wake-Up Wrap. ...
  • Burger King Classic Royal Crispy Wrap. ...
  • McDonald's McChicken Sandwich. ...
  • Jack in the Box Garden Salad With Grilled Chicken.
Jul 5, 2024

How to start meal prepping for beginners? ›

If you're new to meal prepping, start small. You don't have to start meal-prepping for multiple recipes or even meal-prep for the entire week ahead! You can simply prep the ingredients for tomorrow's dinner or prep a simple salad to eat for lunch. Find a system that works for you and then build on it.

How to meal prep for weight loss for beginners? ›

If you're new to meal prep, start by prepping just a few meals a week. Focus on nutritious options for meals when it's harder for you to eat healthy. Set aside an hour or two for meal prep day, make a grocery list from recipes found online, and shop the day or two before.

Is a 400-calorie meal too much? ›

Every day, to lose weight, you should eat between 200 and 400 calories for breakfast, 500-700 calories for lunch, and 500-700 calories for dinner. You should also incorporate a morning and evening snack for a total of about 400-500 more calories.

How many calories is OK for lunch? ›

If you want to maintain your weight, you should have an even amount of calories throughout your meals. With that being said, this still differs between people. For example, if you consume around 2,000 calories a day, a balanced lunch might consist of approximately 500 to 700 calories.

Is 400 calories per serving of any food considered high? ›

40 calories per serving are considered low, 100 calories per serving are considered moderate, and 400 calories per serving are considered high. For every 100 calories, aim to have 3 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of saturated fat. The terms "fat-free" and "no sugar added" do not mean "calorie-free."

Can I eat 500 calories for lunch? ›

A 500-calorie diet can be dangerous without a doctor's supervision. it can lead to malnutrition and other health problems. Healthy weight loss may include limiting food portions, burning calories, and other methods. A 500-calorie diet is an extreme form of a very low-calorie diet (VLCD).

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