Who doesn’t love a healthy fakeaway? Absolutely perfect when you’ve got a takeaway craving, but don’t want to spend the money or are trying to eat a bit healthier. With my delicious lower calorie air fryer fakeaways, you get all that delicious taste and none of the guilt. Here are a few of my faves – perfect to dig into when you’re going low cal or you’re just trying to save a bit of money.

Hi, I’m Nathan Anthony and I started Bored of Lunch to share healthy recipes that are simple, affordable and realistic for everyday life. What began as easy air fryer and slow cooker meals quickly grew into something much bigger – a way to help busy people cook proper, home-made food without complicated ingredients or spending hours in the kitchen.

At its core, Bored of Lunch focuses on:

• High-protein meals that actually fill you up
• Lower-calorie options without sacrificing flavour
• Family-friendly food everyone will eat
• Budget-friendly ingredients you can find in any supermarket
• Minimal prep and simple methods

If you’re tired of restrictive diets, bland “diet food” or meals that feel impossible to stick to, Bored of Lunch is about making healthy eating sustainable, practical and enjoyable long term.

Many of them are, yes. The aim isn’t to create tiny portions. It’s about volume eating, lean proteins, smart swaps and cooking methods like the air fryer or slow cooker to reduce excess oil and calories. Not every recipe is ultra-low calorie, but there are plenty of options for anyone looking for a low calorie dinner or low calorie lunch.

In general terms:

• A low calorie lunch is often between 300–500 calories
• A low calorie dinner is often between 400–600 calories

It depends on your goals, height, weight and activity level, but that’s a rough guide most people follow. The key isn’t just calories – it’s making sure meals are:

• High in protein
• Balanced with carbs and fats
• Filling enough to stop snacking

That’s why many Bored of Lunch healthy recipes focus on lean meats, vegetables, potatoes, rice, wraps and simple sauces with lighter swaps.

Weight loss comes down to a calorie deficit over time.

Bored of Lunch healthy recipes can absolutely support weight loss because:

• Portions are realistic
• Calories are often controlled
• Meals are filling
• Ingredients are easy to track

The biggest advantage is consistency. If meals are easy to cook and taste good, you’re more likely to stick with them long term.

If you’re searching for a low calorie dinner that doesn’t feel like diet food, here are the types of meals that work well:

• Air fryer chicken dishes
• Slow cooker fakeaways
• Lean mince recipes
• High-protein pasta dishes
• Loaded flatbreads with lighter toppings
• Healthy curries
• Stir fries with lean protein

The goal is flavour first — just with smarter ingredient choices.

Absolutely. Slow cookers are brilliant for:

• Lean cuts of meat
• Bulk cooking
• High-protein stews
• Curries with controlled ingredients
• Lower-fat sauces

Because you’re cooking from scratch, you control exactly what goes into your meals – which makes it easier to manage calories.

Definitely – and it makes life easier. Many low calorie recipes work well for:

• Batch cooking
• Freezing
• Next-day lunches
• Reheating in the air fryer

Meal prep helps you stay consistent and avoid grabbing higher-calorie convenience food when you’re busy.

Not if you keep them simple. Most Bored of Lunch healthy recipes use:

• Supermarket own-brand ingredients
• Frozen vegetables
• Tinned tomatoes
• Lean mince
• Chicken thighs or breast
• Potatoes, rice and wraps

Healthy eating doesn’t need expensive “diet” products. Basic ingredients cooked well will always be cheaper and better long term.

Make sure to follow Bored of Lunch over on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more recipes like these or you can purchase my latest air fryer 30 minute meal book on Amazon today.