In various studies conducted across the globe, it has been observed that obesity is a major factor behind many different health problems. At a more mundane level, the ill-effects of putting on excess weight are painfully apparent to us when we are forced to replace that favorite pair of jeans that no longer fit us! And since not many of us are not really inclined to head to the gym and sweat it out, the only solution left to us to shed pounds is to stick to a low-calorie diet plan.

Now you might be thinking low-calorie meals mean they have to be tasteless and boiled food without any spice in them. You could not be more wrong! Read onto learn about five healthy low-calorie meals , which are incredibly delicious and can thus make your weight loss journey more exciting and enjoyable.

Tomato Basil Salmon
Salmon is always great to have, and adding some tomatoes and basil can make them more desirable.

Ingredients:

• Boneless salmon – 2 fillets
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
• Basil in dried form- 1 tablespoon
• Parmesan cheese (grated) – 2 tablespoon
• Tomatoes sliced thinly – 1

Preparation:
Take a piece of aluminum foil and place it on the baking sheet in your oven.  Put the oven to 190 degrees Celsius or 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Put or spray some non-stick coating on the aluminum foil. Take the fillets of salmon and sprinkle them with dried basil leaves. Put tomato slices on top of the salmon fillets. Spread the olive oil on the salmon and finally put the parmesan cheese on the top of the fillets. For the next twenty minutes, bake the salmon till the center part of the fillet is opaque and the cheese turns brown.

Lentil and Tomato Soup
Tomato with lentil soup is something that is both easy to cook and very healthy.

Ingredients:

• Chopped onion – 1
• Tomatoes crushed – 1
• Lentil (dry) – 2 cups
• Olive oil – 1/4 th of a cup
• Diced carrots – 2
• Water – 8 cups
• Chopped celery – 2 stalks
• Thinly sliced spinach – ½ cup
• Minced garlic – 2 cloves
• Vinegar- 2 tablespoon
• Oregano dried –  teaspoon
• Salt – as per requirement
• Bay leaf – 1
• Black pepper powder – as per requirement
• Dried basil – teaspoon

Preparation
Take a medium to a large sized pot for preparing the soup.  Put the olive oil and let it heat.  Put the onions, celery, carrots, and stir. Check for the onion to become tender and light brown.  Put the basil leaves, oregano, garlic and the bay leaf and stir for few more minutes.  Put the lentils and add water and tomatoes and let it boil. Reduce the temperature or the flame and let it simmer for an hour or little less. Garnish with spinach leaves and add the vinegar and stir, add salt and pepper for taste.

Summer Chicken Burgers
If you love burgers but want to shed weight, you can try this one which both is delicious, and yet, one of the best low cal dinner recipes.

Ingredients:

• Sliced ripe avocado – 1
• Butter, Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
• Hamburger buns – 4
• Mayonnaise – 4 tablespoon
• Sliced in ring shape, big Vidalia onions – 1
• Provolone cheese – 4 slices
• Chicken breast, boneless and skinless – 4 halves
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation
Mix the avocado and lemon juice, put some water in it and keep it aside.  Preheat the grill oven and slightly grate it with oil when it is heated up (high temperature is required).  Heat the butter and sauté the onions, and wait until they are brown.  Use the pepper and salt to season the chicken, grill it for 5 minutes on each side, and toast the buns.   Spread mayonnaise on the buns, put the chicken, onions, cheese, and avocado on it – and your dinner is ready.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
Cauliflowers are always great to eat, and if you want something simple, you can try this cauliflower recipe for dinner.

Ingredients:

• Minced garlic – 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil – 3 tablespoon
• Florets of cauliflower with large head – 1 cauliflower
• Grated Parmesan cheese – 1/3 cup
• Fresh parsley – 1 tablespoon (chopped)
• Pepper and salt

Preparation
Take a casserole dish, grease it and heat the oven to 220 degrees C or 450 degrees F.  Take a resealable bag, put olive oil and minced garlic in it along with the florets of cauliflower, and mix it properly.  Pour the mixture into the casserole and add salt and pepper.  Bake the mixture for next 25 minutes and don’t forget to stir in between.  Put some cheese on the top, and broil for another 2-3 minutes. Your meal is ready.

Grilled Beans
For all who love eating green veggies, have some healthy and tasty green beans tonight.

Ingredients:

• Trimmed green beans, fresh – 1 pound
• Olive oil – ¼ cup
• Minced garlic – 1 teaspoon
• Kosher salt – 1 teaspoon

Preparation:
Marinate the beans with all the ingredients for 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven/grill to medium heat, and grate with oil lightly.  Use a grill pan and put the beans on it.  For next few minutes, let the beans get cooked. Stir it occasionally.