You Won’t Believe These Recipes Are Under 450 Calories

Sure, we always try to eat healthy, but with winter blues, the end of resolution season, and a long stretch until bikini time, it’s nice to have a little reminder — and a helpful round of recipes — to kick your cooking into gear. Forget juice cleanses and crash diets: These recipes, all under 450 calories, don’t sacrifice flavor, substance, or your favorite foods. You won’t believe just how tasty, low-cal versions of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert can be.

Breakfast Recipes

Protein Pancakes

When you think “healthy,” a tall stack of pancakes doesn’t normally come to mind. But a few of these diet-friendly pancakes will help you meet your daily protein needs with roughly 24 grams per plate. (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Make a batch of our chocolatey muffins and enjoy them all week long. They’re so good, we promise you won’t even notice there are veggies inside. Bonus: At 150 calories each, you can treat yourself to more than one. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Potato Egg Boat

At just 394 calories (if you use one slice of bacon as opposed to two), this egg boat is loaded with deliciousness.(via Brit + Co)

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars With Wild Blueberries

These bars are just 190 calories each and are packed with whole-grain ingredients and fruit, giving you a healthy and easy option for busy mornings. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies 

Cookies for breakfast? Yes, please! These pumpkin-flavored cookies are packed with protein and are only 190 calories each. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Denver Omelet Breakfast Burritos 

At just 410 calories, these freezer-friendly Denver omelet breakfast burritos are going to become your new favorite savory option. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Lunch Recipes

Mermaid Veggie Bowls 

Keep it heavy on the veg and tofu and light on the rice and avo to reign in the calorie count. (via Brit + Co)

Quinoa Salad

Fix up quinoa with your fave fruit, nuts, and herbs, and dive into a bowl of tastiness. This particular version comes in at 401 calories per serving. (via Brit + Co)

Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

All you need is five ingredients to make a bowl of sweet and savory soup that comes in at 110 calories per serving. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 In-N-Out Animal-Style Burger

If you limit the sauce and caramelized onion to 1 teaspoon each, this burger can be yours for just under 450 calories. (via Brit + Co)

Dinner Recipes

Creamy Chicken Quinoa Casserole

No need to give up the ultimate comfort food. If you leave out the bacon, this casserole, complete with plenty of cheese and broccoli, is 414 calories per serving. (via Brit + Co)

Blackened Chicken and Avocado Salad

You can’t go wrong with a plateful of flavorful chicken and filling avo. Add a drizzle of olive oil, and you’ve got taste-bud magic for well within your calorie limit. (via Brit + Co)

Tuna Salad without Mayo 

This dairy-free tuna salad recipe is perfect for a low-calorie and light lunch at just 171 calories. (via Give Recipe)

Tofu Burgers

These tofu burgers are simple to make and are just 190 calories for the patty. (via Live Eat Learn)

Korean Cauliflower Wings 

These vegan BBQ skewer wings are sooo good and only 382 calories!

Dessert Recipes

Gluten-Free Mug Cake

It’s a sweet finish, and the base for this single-serving mug cake is only 395 calories. (The lemon chia version is only 19 calories more, and is a zesty way to curb your sweet tooth.) (via Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow: Quick Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes)

This super moist and flavorful pumpkin bread is a great dessert option and is only 415 calories! (via Cilantro Parsley)

Grilled Pineapple Dessert

This grilled pineapple recipe comes together in just minutes and is super healthy. It is also just 157 calories per serving! (via Live Eat Learn)

Lately, I’ve been paying closer attention to my grocery receipts. It’s not just the price of eggs — everything feels more expensive, and it's made me think more intentionally about how to make my food last longer. I’ve always hated wasting food. Not only is it tough on the planet, it’s tough on my budget, too. Americans toss out about 38 percent of our food — that’s the equivalent of 145 billion meals ending up in landfills (yikes!). Sure, a big chunk of that comes from restaurants, but even at home, being mindful of waste feels like a win for both the environment and my wallet.

So, instead of putting my groceries away haphazardly, I want to make sure I'm storing everything exactly how — and where — it should go. Luckily, I've learned there are some foods that actually last longer outside of the fridge. And they might surprise you!

Scroll to see the foods you don't need to refrigerate after all...

Alena Darmel

1. Cucumbers

I have never left cucumbers outside the fridge, but it turns out that this can cause them to become too watery. Instead, find an airtight containerand store them in your pantry or countertop. Then toss them in this colorful Greek Salad!

Rens D

2. Bell Peppers

Stashing bell peppers in the fridge can actually make them lose their crunch (who knew?). For peak crispness, keep them at room temperature and enjoy within one to two days. If you're not planning to eat them that quickly, pop them in the fridge to help prevent them from going soft too soon.

Elle Hughes

3. Basil

Store your basil as you would a fresh bouquet of flowers, in a jar with water. Cold temps can cause basil leaves to turn black, so it’s better off out of the fridge.

Shutterstock

4. Butter (And Peanut Butter!)

According to the USDA, butter is best used within a day or two at room temperature to preserve its flavor. When I lived in San Francisco, I could leave it out on the counter year-round without worrying about it melting. Now that I’m in a hotter climate, I keep it out most of the year — just not during the peak of summer. Peanut butter also does well at room temperature, staying smooth and spreadable for up to three months (after which you'll need to refrigerate it).

Pixabay

5. Tomatoes

I grew tomatoes in my garden for the first time last year, and nothing beats the taste of one plucked straight from the vine. To keep that juicy , sun-ripened flavor going, store your tomatoes at room temperature on the counter — not in the fridge. Cold temps can dull their flavor and texture. Try making a simple Tomato Confit recipe to drizzle over bread or pasta, yum!

Gil Ndjouwou

6. Avocados

A friend and I were debating whether avocados belong in the fridge — turns out, they don’t. At least, not until they’re ripe. I eat one almost every day, so I go through them fast, but once they ripen, I pop them in the fridge to slow down the over-ripening. If you’re craving Avocado Toast, stash them in a paper bag to speed things up, or just let them ripen naturally in an open container on the counter.

Natalia Olivera

7. Fresh Bread

If you want to get the most flavor (and life) out of your fresh bread, skip the fridge. Refrigeration actually speeds up staling. Instead, store it in a bread box or basket — somewhere that blocks light but still lets it breathe. Planning to eat it the same day? Leaving it uncovered at room temperature works just fine. Otherwise, a paper bag or the freezer are your best options.

Eric Prouzet

8. Potatoes (Sweet or Otherwise)

I like to keep my potatoes and onions tucked away in the pantry where it’s cool and dark. Storing them in a paper bag at room temperature helps preserve their texture and flavor. The fridge might seem like a good idea, but it can actually do more harm than good — the moisture makes potatoes overly sweet and kind of gritty, and the humidity can cause them to mold more quickly.

Kaboompics.com

9. Onions & Garlic

Onions, shallots, and garlic can become moldy when exposed to the high humidity of the refrigerator. Store them in a relatively cool, dry place in your pantry or a cabinet that’s not exposed to light. Your onions will remain fresh and ready to use whenever you need them for recipes like this Spring Veggie Galette that I make every year!

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It's almost time to return to Cousins! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 is coming this summer, and Prime Video just gave us a first official look at Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad. The new episodes will open at the end of Belly's freshman year of college, and in addition to seeing the evolution of our favorite characters, author and co-showrunner Jenny Han says "there are going to be surprises" in the final season. Eek!

Here's your first look at Lola Tung, Gavin Casalegno, and Christopher Briney in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3, coming to Prime Video July 2025!


Jenny Han says 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans are in for a few surprises.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"There are the things that [fans] know and then there are things they think they know, and then there's going to be, hopefully, things that surprise them," Jenny Han tells Entertainment Weekly. Listen, I am a very proud member of Team Conrad, and seeing how cozy Belly and Jeremiah are in these pics (not to mention the set leak that's definitely not in the third book), I'm starting to wonder if Prime Video is teasing I should switch teams.

But no matter which team you're on, Lola Tung promises the season won't let you down.

Team #JellyFish will get their time this season.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"The one thing I've always admired about Jenny is that every season and every decision about what's coming next is purely to serve the story," Lola says. "She's never going to do anything that doesn't make sense for the story. It's all about this beautiful world she's created and giving the fans something really, really special and giving us something really special to work with."

And that includes some sweet moments which Jeremiah and Belly, who "are, at their core, best friends," Lola adds. "That relationship is something that's so special and so unique to them, so it's exciting to see this season and how their relationship blossoms."

And 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' images also feature Conrad.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But don't worry Conrad fans, we also get a look at the elder Fisher brother who "we know that he went to Stanford, and so he's continuing on his journey to become a doctor, as you can see from that white coat," Jenny says. "I think people won't be surprised to see that."

Keep reading for more images from The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3!

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Jenny Han also teases this image is actually a flashback, "so do with that what you will." BRB, I'm off dreaming of a beach vacation. I also can't help but point out the warm color grade of this season! The golden look makes everything feel warmer and more magical — and offers a youthful glow as Belly gets older.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But for those of us who care more about Steven and Taylor (Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer) than the main love triangle, we got this single crumb from the new images. And I'm more than happy about it, thank you very much.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Belly (Lola Tung) gets cozy on campus in a hoodie and sunglasses.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

And Belly and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) get cozy with each other at a party.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But they work as hard as they play! I have this exact outfit Belly's wearing, and you best believe I'm adding it into my fashion rotation.

How many episodes will The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 have?

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Great news! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 will have 11 episodes instead of 7 or 8 like seasons 1 and 2 did. Stay tuned for the official release schedule.

Who's in the cast?

Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 cast features all your favorites:

  • Lola Tung as Belly Conklin: a beach-loving volleyball player who's always dreaming of summer.
  • Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher: Belly and Steven's lifelong friend who Belly's always had a crush on.
  • Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah Fisher: Conrad's sunny younger brother.
  • Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin: Belly's older brother.
  • Rain Spencer as Taylor Jewel: Belly's best friend.
  • Jackie Chungas Laurel Park: Belly and Steven's mom and Susannah Fisher's best friend.

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before the new episodes air on Prime Video this July!

Colorful cakes and other make-ahead Easter desserts are always welcome at the brunch table. And when it comes to sweet Easter treats like ones made with Easter candy — what's not to love? If you're looking for crafty concoctions that will satisfy your sweet tooth and double as festive Easter table decor, we've got your back. Here are 25 sweet Easter treats that will get everyone in the mood for *bunny* season, stat.

Cadbury Creme Egg Cheesecake Dip

Brit + Co

With this sweet Easter-themed dip, the whole table can get a taste of creamy, chocolatey goodness. (via Brit + Co)

Easter Trix Bars

Brit + Co

These Easter treats are like your classic Rice Krispies version, except crafted with Trix cereal. Using Trix will give each bite a colorful effect that speaks to the spring season! (via Brit + Co)

Easter Chick Sandwich Cookies

Brit + Co

You just can't pass up Easter treats as cute as these. Their adorable little Easter chick faces makes it hard to want to eat them, but trust us: once you do, you'll be craving at least 5 more. (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Oatmeal Caramel Creme Egg Cookies

Brit + Co

Earning some caramel-y flavor from actual creme eggs, these are great Easter treats for serving your pals that have a chocolate addiction. The creamy filling is ahh-mazing. (via Brit + Co)

Watercolor Cake Easter Eggs

Brit + Co

If this year is the year you've finally decided to fully commit your baking skills to Easter desserts, go with this recipe. You'll 'paint' the outside using food coloring and even edible gold foil for elegant effect! (via Brit + Co)

Bunny Donuts

Brit + Co

These lil' bunnies will look super cute for snapping Instagram pics of this year's Easter brunch spread. (via Brit + Co)

Crazy Strawberry Milkshakes

Brit + Co

These devilishly sweet Easter treats in milkshake form are gonna send you into a sugar coma, but it's so worth it. Now's the time to be extra with all the garnishes, countless donuts and marshmallows welcome. (via Brit + Co)

Limoncello Tart

Brit + Co

Still sweet but more on the zesty side, this limoncello-infused lemon tart will wake up your tastebuds just in time for spring. The lighter color and citrusy fruitiness of this treat are just perfect for Eastertime. (via Brit + Co)

Easter Egg Truffles

Brit + Co

We love Easter treats that don't require any baking, like this one! Just grab some creme eggs from the store, then doctor 'em up with more chocolate and Easter sprinkles! Done and done. (via Brit + Co)

Easter Emoji Cookies

Brit + Co

Everyone at your Easter get-together will be wildly impressed with your cookie decorating skills when you whip out these Easter treats! (via Brit + Co)

Ube Coconut Cake

Brit + Co

The light, sugary notes of ube and coconut work wonders together in this cake recipe that's a total fit for spring. The purple hue of the cake layers will look iconic amongst the rest of your Easter treats. (via Brit + Co)

Creme Egg Rocky Road Bars

Brit + Co

Decadence reigns supreme with these rocky road-inspired Easter treats. Any dessert that comes in bar form is gonna be a big hit among the fam, plus these are loaded up with chocolate eggs for the holiday! (via Brit + Co)

Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches

Brit + Co

Carrot cake is the cake for Easter, but why stress about making a whole cake?! If you're looking for an easier alternative, but still want all the carrot cake vibes in your life, opt for these sandwiched Easter treats that also feature a creamy filling. (via Brit + Co)

Piña Colada Cake

Brit + Co

When sweet fruit and sugary classic desserts merge, it's pure magic. This cake serves up the flavors of a piña colada in the tastiest way ever. If you wanna amp it up for Easter, pop a few Peeps on top! (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Peeps Skillet S’mores

How Sweet Eats

This recipe is everyone's fave campfire treat made with Peeps! Better make a big batch of this Easter treat, because you'll want to devour these rainbow Easter s'mores for days to come. (viaHow Sweet Eats)

Layered Peeps Rice Krispie Treats

Yellow Bliss Road

Any holiday dessert that calls for marshmallows can be dressed up in Easter pastels when you substitute Peeps! Serve these colorful Easter treats sliced up in rainbow squares, or insert sticks and hand them out as pops. (via Yellow Bliss Road)

DIY Easter Wildflower Macarons

Sugar & Cloth

These bright yellow macarons become festive flowers with a little bit of white icing paint and edible black ink. They make a delicate and beautiful addition to a spring-themed tablescape, and are an excellent excuse to get artsy this Easter! (via Sugar & Cloth)

Bunny Fairy Bread

Hello, Wonderful

Oh, em, gee — everyone's fave fairy bread is getting the full Easter treatment with rabbit shapes and cute little cottontails. You can't forget the sprinkles, either! (via Hello, Wonderful)

Toasted Marshmallow Easter Peeps Milkshakes

Shared Appetite

Even milkshakes take on an Easter theme when the colors are Peeps-inspired. Click through for an Easter dessert recipe that will take your presentation to the next level – and bonus points if your shake matches your Easter dress! (via Shared Appetite)

Bunny Tail Cupcakes

Lark & Linen

What could be cuter than a little ol' rabbit tail sticking out of your cupcakes? The pink “paws" are made of Jordan almonds — genius! (via Lark & Linen)

Cotton Candy Donuts

Studio DIY

These fairy-floss donut hybrids in bright pastel colors are perfect for Easter brunch, and they couldn't be easier to make. Just top some donuts with a small pinch of cotton candy, then add glitter sprinkles, and OMG! — dreamy Easter treats. (via Studio DIY)

Coconut Marshmallows with White Chocolate

The Gold Lining Girl

Kids young and old alike will get a kick out of cutting homemade marshmallows into bunny shapes! The coconut “tails" not only look cute, but they also taste divine. (via The Gold Lining Girl)

Colorful Ice Cream Sandwich Treats

The Sweet Escape

Before we dive head-first into all of the yummy ice cream sandwiches that spring and summer have to offer, give them a spring makeover with pastel hues! A tray of these will look Pantone-pretty on your Easter dessert table. (via The Sweet Escape)

Snowball Cupcakes

Baking a Moment

These chocolate cupcakes are a riff on everyone's childhood fave Hostess Sno Balls, only waaaaay better — because homemade is always better! Pick a few different colors for these Easter treats to match all your dyed Easter eggs. (via Baking a Moment)

Easter Bunny Macarons

Tried & True

Making macarons can be a bit finicky, but they're totally worth the effort when the end result is as cute as these bunnies! Adding the adorable food-marker faces is more than half the fun, plus, they're bound to make everyone smile this Easter. (via Tried & True)

Coconut Eton Mess with Whipped Ricotta Cream

Half Baked Harvest

Some desserts almost look too pretty to eat and this cake is one of them! Still, we invite you to not break out your finest mixing bowls and baking pan to bring this easter recipe to life. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Cake

Vikalinka

This recipe had us at chocolate, but the strawberry mousse is the icing in the middle of the cake! It'll make you feel like a famous pastry chef who's known for making the best desserts, plus you'll even get to enjoy eating it! Our favorite part is garnishing it with a few sliced strawberries to make it look extra pretty. (via Vikalinka)

Easter Cake Pops

Kathryn's Kitchen Blog

How fun are these easter cake pops? They combine our two favorite sweet treats for a quick burst of flavor that makes it hard to only eat one. All you need is box cake mix, frosting, and white candy melts to recreate this recipe. (via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog)

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books For 1923 Lovers and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. And this post has been updated.

Leaders in the matcha industry are predicting a matcha shortage this spring. Sparked by a huge surge in demand, it’s possible that your go-to drink could be affected.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s matcha shortage.

Nataliya Vaitkevich / PEXELS

Per The Japan Times, increased demand for matcha powder put an “unprecedented strain” on the tea industry last year, and the same effect is predicted to take place in 2025.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan saw a 185% increase in matcha production from 2010 to 2023 in order to keep up with demand from cafes and home baristas around the world, The Japan Timesreports.

Cup of Couple / PEXELS

Seeing that over half of Japan’s matcha is exported internationally, matcha lovers are looking toward the country for their green tea fix. Search interest for matcha has nearly quadrupled over the past 5 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

Olena Bohovyk / PEXELS

This year, mostly organic matcha strains will be affected by the shortage, though lower-grade varieties could face the same issues if consumers begin reaching for them in favor of organic offerings. While top-tier, organic strains like ceremonial-grade matcha are known for being sweeter and smoother, the lower-grade kinds like culinary-grade matcha are noticeably more bitter and don't have the same vibrant color.

Charlotte May / PEXELS

Matcha can only be harvested in the springtime, so though a shortage may be happening now, there’s hope for increased supply in the near future. This year’s harvest will start in April.

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

Even though production will ramp up, Jason Eng of Kametani Tea in Japan, a company that produces matcha for beverage companies around the world, says: “This year will be an interesting one. We haven’t hit a point yet where we’re going to run out, but it’s going to be really tight this autumn – not just for us but for everybody. The demand is off the charts.”

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