250 Calorie Meal Ideas

Eating five or six small meals rather than three large meals may help maintain energy and blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to the American Council on Exercise. This is helpful to those on restricted calorie diets because regular meals may reduce hunger, irritability and the likelihood of snacking on high-calorie foods.This method allows six 250 calorie meals each day on a 1,500-calorie diet. It is necessary, however, to tailor portion sizes toward your personal caloric goals.

Breakfast Sandwich

Assemble a homemade breakfast sandwich that tastes similar to those sold at fast food restaurants but only contains 250 calories. Cook one large egg in your preferred style, but use non-stick cooking spray instead of butter in the pan to avoid adding extra calories. Place the cooked egg on a toasted English muffin and add one slice of cooked turkey bacon. Add extra flavor with zero-calorie condiments like hot sauce or zero-calorie butter spray.

Egg White Omelet

The egg whites of a large egg contain approximately 17 calories, so the egg whites of seven eggs only supply 119 calories, leaving for added ingredients and toppings. Add 1 oz. of cheddar cheese at 114 calories, a cup of spinach at 7 calories and 2 tbsp. of salsa at 8 calories for a 248-calorie omelet. Another option is to omit the cheese and replace it with a piece of toasted whole wheat bread and 1 tbsp. of jam. Check the calories on your preferred brands of bread and jam as they can vary widely.

Tuna Salad

Salads look large but contain few calories. One cup of spinach contains approximately 7 calories, while one cup of chopped iceberg lettuce supplies 8 calories. Add other low-calorie vegetables such as celery, raw broccoli and bean sprouts. Top your salad greens with a 1/2 can of tuna packed in water for 110 calories and you'll still have approximately 100 calories remaining for a small amount of your choice of dressing.

Chicken Dinner

One 3 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast contains approximately 120 calories. Bake or grill the chicken with no added fat to avoid increasing the caloric content. Serve the chicken with a 3 oz. baked sweet potato for an extra 100 calories and a 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli for 30 calories. Flavor your meal with zero-calorie butter sprays or sweeteners, herbs and spices and zero-calorie condiments such as hot sauces or flavored vinegars.