3 400-Calorie Meals

By Roy Orion

Dieting doesn't have to be hard, and you don't have to starve yourself to lose weight. In fact, maintaining a balanced diet of healthy food like lean proteins, whole grains, fruit and veggies is better than cutting out too much food. Munching on these healthy snacks throughout the day is important for keeping your metabolism up.

When you get home, a low calories meal at dinner time will continue to keep your energy levels up and your waist line trim. Cooking low calorie meals doesn't have to be hard, and doesn't have to taste horrible. Below are three simple recipes to help get you started and keep you motivated for continued success of your diet. These are also meals that the whole family can enjoy.

Roasted Shrimp with Peppers and Lemon 

Ingredients: 

1 red or green bell pepper sliced 

1 lemon thinly sliced 

4 scallions halved 

½ teaspoon red pepper 

A dash of olive oil 

1 pound of deveined shrimp (fresh or frozen)

Directions: 

In a large bowl toss the lemon, bell pepper, scallions, red pepper and olive oil then spread onto a baking sheet. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss with a little more pepper and preferred seasonings and olive oil. Spread the shrimp onto the baking sheets with the bell peppers. Roast until the shrimp are cooked all the way through, or about 12 minutes. (Optional: serve over rice)

Pork Tenderloin with Spinach and Mushrooms 

Ingredients: 

3 tablespoons of olive oil 

2 pork tenderloins 

Salt and Pepper 

1 pound button mushrooms quartered 

1 red bell pepper cut into ½ inch pieces 

2 garlic chopped garlic cloves 

2 bunches of spinach with thick stems removed

Directions: 

Heat oven to 400 degrees, and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over high-medium heat. Season the pork and cook both sides turning frequently for 6 to 8 minutes. Put the skillet in the oven and continue to roast for another 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the mushrooms and peppers in another skillet for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. Lastly, add the spinach, salt and pepper to taste, and serve with pork.

Blackened Salmon with Sugar Snap Pea Salad: 

Ingredients: 

4, 6 ounce pieces of salmon fillets 

2 tablespoons of blackening seasoning 

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 

2 teaspoons olive oil 

12 ounces sugar snap peas 

1 small red onion thinly sliced

Directions: 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cover both sides of the salmon fillets in blackening seasoning and cook each side 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine lime juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper, snap peas and onion and toss.