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Today, I’m thrilled to present a delightful recipe that clocks in at under 400 calories! This dish is inspired by the latest cookbook from Our Best Bites titled “400 Calories or Less.”
I’ve been an avid follower of Our Best Bites long before I started my own blog. Their family-friendly recipes and cookbooks are truly exceptional. Sara’s inspiring journey of losing 50 pounds resonates with many, including myself. You can read her incredible story here—she looks fantastic! Since last December, I’ve embarked on my own weight loss journey and found motivation in her experience as we both aimed to shed extra pounds.
After having a baby, I was determined to lose the weight I had gained. It was tough feeling out of sorts, but since December, I’ve successfully lost nearly 30 pounds and maintained that weight for five months now! A significant part of this success has come from staying active with CrossFit four times a week and diligently tracking my meals using My Fitness Pal. Additionally, I meet weekly with a nutritionist at my gym to stay accountable.
People often ask me about my diet; the answer is simple: I eat real food! Losing weight doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor—it’s all about portion control and incorporating whole grains into your meals. Plus, I treat myself to one cheat meal each week so that I can enjoy those tempting brownies featured on this blog!
I was overjoyed when Our Best Bites released their new cookbook because it offers healthy dinner options without compromising taste—essential for maintaining a balanced lifestyle year-round (especially during swimsuit season!).
Choosing just one recipe from the cookbook was challenging because they all sounded amazing! Each recipe stands out for several reasons:
- They utilize common pantry staples.
- They include helpful shopping tips.
- Nutritional information is provided for every dish.
- Recipes are customizable so you can create healthy meals your family will love while sticking to your weight loss goals.
I can’t recommend this book enough!
I decided on Herbed Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers due to their minimal ingredient list combined with vibrant flavors from fresh herbs and garlic lemon zest—a perfect summer grilling option! These skewers cook quickly alongside bright seasonal vegetables.
The flavors melded beautifully together and were an instant hit with my family. This proves that maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing delicious food everyone will enjoy! I’m confident your family will love this summer meal too!
Servings: 5 (2 skewers per serving)
Calories: 197 | Fat: 7g | Carbs: 8g | Fiber: 2g | Sugars: 4g | Protein: 26g
Recipe adapted from “400 Calories or Less” by Our Best Bites.
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1½ tablespoons finely minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup minced fresh herbs (I used basil, rosemary, and oregano)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix together garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs, salt, pepper, and olive oil; set aside.
- Place chopped vegetables in a ziplock bag along with three tablespoons of the herb marinade; toss until coated.
- In another bag or bowl add chicken pieces along with remaining marinade; toss well.
- Allow both bags to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to six hours.
- Preheat grill over medium heat.
- Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers alternately; lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Grill skewers for about three minutes before flipping them over; continue cooking until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about another few minutes).
- Serve hot garnished with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 266 kcal
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Protein: 26 g
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 73 mg
Sodium: 606 mg
Potassium: 736 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 4 g
(Note that nutritional values are approximations.)
About Alyssa Rivers:
Alyssa Rivers is the author behind ‘The Tried-and-Tested Cookbook,’ as well as being an accomplished food photographer and seasoned recipe developer whose work has been featured on platforms like Good Morning America & Buzzfeed among others.
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