30 Low Carb Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

If you haven’t hopped on the Instant Pot love train, it may be time. Healthy instant pot meals have taken the internet by storm and healthy eating advocates have realized how much an Instant pot can change your life! If you’re looking to lose weight, a kitchen appliance may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but you’d be surprised to find out all the benefits of this amazing cooking gadget! Intrigued? Read on!

What is an Instant Pot?

An instant pot is a multi-cooker that takes on the job of pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, yogurt making and more! If there’s one tool you need for your kitchen, an instant pot is it. Not only do you save money by not having to buy all these items separately, it also clears up counter and cupboard space you would lose having to store them.

Instant Pots have built-in heating devices and an internal thermostat to make cooking a breeze. All you need is an electrical outlet, your ingredients and you’re good to go!

Just throw all your food into the instant pot and it cooks it for you in a single pot. You can even cook frozen veggies and meat since the instant pot defrosts and then cooks the food. It comes with preset programs depending on what you’re cooking, so you can rest easy that you’ll have a perfectly cooked meal!

How Can Cooking with an Instant Pot Help Me Lose Weight?

With busy schedules and so many convenient take out food options, many people aren’t cooking at home anymore. Eating fast food and eating out in general, is one of the biggest contributors to weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle.

People are turned off from cooking at home because they think it will take too long or it’s too complicated, and it can be. But if you want to lose weight, you need to cook your own meals, and an instant pot makes home cooking easy and convenient! There are so many healthy instant pot ideas out there, from instant pot meals with meat to vegan instant pot recipes. There’s something for everyone!

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Using an instant pot is a great way to get your vegetables, proteins and vitamins all in one meal. Plus, an instant pot makes it easy to make and save leftovers for the week. If you’re always stuck on what to bring to work and end up buying your lunch every day, an instant pot will keep you from having to do so!

Are Instant Pots and Pressure Cookers the Same Thing?

An Instant Pot is an electrical brand of pressure cookers. Traditional stove top pressure cookers goes right on your gas or electrical range. You’re limited to cooking on low pressure or high pressure, so you have to adjust via your stove range.

With an Instant Pot, you don’t have to watch it on the stove like you would a stove top pressure cooker. You can set it and forget it, choosing your cook time or type of food, and the timer will let you know when it’s done.

There are also electrical pressure cookers. These don’t have the slow cooking function or the delay timer like the Instant Pot does. The delay timer is ideal for when you want to have food perfectly timed for when you get home or when you wake up in the morning. It allows you to plan ahead and it’s one of the favourite features for Instant Pot users!

4 Things to Consider When Buying an Instant Pot

1. It cooks two to six times faster than conventional cooking methods
The instant pot saves you tons of time, cooking braises like pulled pork and beef stew in under an hour!

2. It doesn’t always save time
Although it cooks some foods faster, making something like soup would take the same amount of time on a stove top. However, if you plan on making a lot of meals that usually take lots of time to cook, then it’s incredibly ideal!

3. It’s not ideal for small kitchens
An Instant Pot isn’t designed for small kitchens or kitchens without counter space. It takes up quite a bit of real estate, so make sure you’ll use it enough to justify having it in your kitchen.

4. There are plenty of healthy instant pot recipes
Due to the popularity of the Instant Pot, you’ll never be in short supply of healthy recipes. Check out 30 healthy instant pot recipes below!

10 Keto Approved Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

1. Lemon Garlic Salmon | The Natural Nurturer
2. Ropa Vieja | My Heart Beets
3. Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo | Stay Snatched
4. Beef Bourguignon | Savory Tooth
5. Low Carb Loaded Cauliflower Soup | Kalyn’s Kitchen
6. Keto Crack Chicken | The Keto Queens
7. Boneless Pork Chops | Eating on a Dime
8. Mexican Braised Beef | Health Starts in the Kitchen
9. Chicken Jalapeno Pepper Soup | This Old Gal
10. Spinach Artichoke Chicken | How to This and That

10 Weight Watchers Instant Pot Recipes [with Points]

1. Beef and Barley Stew | Slender Kitchen (7 Points)
2. Chicken and Dumplings | Meal Planning Mommies (5 Points)
3. Unstuffed Cabbage Bowls | SkinnyTaste (8 Points)
4. Beef Drip Sandwiches | Slender Kitchen (8 Points)
5. Turkey Meatball Stroganoff | SkinnyTaste (7 Points)
6. Chicken Curry with Potatoes | Cookin’ Canuck (9 Points)
7. White Bean and Bacon Soup | Skinny Kitchen (1 Point)
8. Mango Pineapple Chicken | Pressure Cooker Meals (0 Points)
9. Salsa Chicken | The Holy Mess (0 Points)
10. Sweet Potato Lentil Soup | Cookin’ Canuck (3 Points)

10 21-Day Fix Instant Pot Recipes

1. Broccoli Cheese Soup | The Foodie and the Fix
2. Beef Gyros | My Crazy Good Life
3. Asian Chicken Thighs | Confessions of a Fit Foodie
4. Pork Roast with Mushroom Gravy | Health Starts in the Kitchen
5. Chicken Fennel Soup | Paleo Cajun Lady
6. Burrito Bowl | My Crazy Good Life
7. Balsamic Chicken | Confessions of a Fit Foodie
8. Korean Beef | Cookies and Cups
9. Mac and Cheese | Confessions of a Fit Foodie
10. Swedish Meatballs | My Crazy Good Life

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The Instant Pot is one of the most popular kitchen tools right now, and for good reason! Get yourself one today and whip up these recipes for epic weight loss!

Did you love these healthy Instant Pot recipes? Please share this post on Pinterest!

30 Low Carb Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Weight Loss (1)

And if you’re looking for more health recipes, make sure to follow our Food board!

30 Low Carb Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

Are instant pot meals healthy? ›

Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says.

What is the best way to cook food for weight loss? ›

Choose baking, broiling, grilling, or roasting cooking methods: These methods are all lower in fat than frying. Limit frying, particularly deep-frying, to decrease calorie and fat intake.

Does cooking for yourself help you lose weight? ›

The health benefits of cooking at home

No matter what's on their plate, people who cook dinner at home six or more times a week versus those who cook dinner at home only once per week took in an average of 140 fewer calories per day, which adds up to more than a pound of less weight gained each month.

How do you lose weight when you don't have time to cook? ›

Ways to Eat Healthy Without Having to Cook
  1. Precooked Whole Grains. 1/13. ...
  2. Frozen Veggies. 2/13. ...
  3. Precooked Chicken Strips. 3/13. ...
  4. That's a Wrap. 4/13. ...
  5. Deli Chicken. 5/13. ...
  6. Lower-Sodium Soups. 6/13. ...
  7. Canned Salmon. 7/13. ...
  8. Ready-to-Eat Boiled Eggs. 8/13.
Aug 28, 2023

What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›

6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
  1. Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
  2. Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
  3. Cookies. ...
  4. Burgers. ...
  5. Pie. ...
  6. Steak.

What is the number 1 best food for weight loss? ›

Fiber is the indigestible component of plant-based foods, like fruits and veggies, legumes, whole grains and certain seeds, like chia seeds, and is the No. 1 food you should be eating more of if you're trying to lose weight.

What is the best meal to lose belly fat? ›

Studies indicate that a diet rich in high-protein foods, such as eggs, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, meat, and dairy results in overall less abdominal fat, more satiety, and an increased metabolic function. Adding fiber-rich foods to meals is also key to keeping off belly fat.

Can you really eat what you want and lose weight? ›

All you need is an open mind and a willingness to experiment in the kitchen. The bottom line: It's possible to continue to eat the foods you love and lose weight; it just comes down to balance. The saying, “Everything in moderation,” may seem boring, but it's sage advice that works!

Is eating at home better than eating out for weight loss? ›

Some studies suggest that people who cook more often, rather than get take-out, have an overall healthier diet. These studies also show that restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and overall calories than home-cooked meals.

Can I lose weight by eating only homemade food? ›

Home-cooking gives you the ability to control portion sizes, which limits calories and helps you lose weight. Any food that you order in a restaurant is processed and is high in salt, sugar and fat content, which tends to impact your weight. Home-cooked foods lets your prepare food within a limited quantity.

What is the cheapest way to eat healthy? ›

  • Buy in Bulk. Research shows that when compared to specialty markets or general grocery stores, bulk supermarkets can help people save a significant chunk on grocery costs. ...
  • Invest in Leftovers. ...
  • Embrace Frozen Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  • Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat—Or Less Meat Overall. ...
  • Learn to Love the Store Brand.
Jan 9, 2024

What is a no cooked food diet? ›

On a raw food diet, you can eat uncooked and unprocessed foods, such as produce, nuts, legumes, and sprouted grains. Some people may also consume raw dairy, eggs, meat, or fish.

When you stop eating where do you lose weight first? ›

Some people may lose from their abdomen, while others may lose from their thighs," says Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., M.P.H., obesity medicine physician at Harvard Medical School and a Men's Health advisor. "It is difficult to predict where a person will lose fat from first."

Are instant pots healthy to use? ›

Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks. If you're a fan of your Instant Pot, don't worry: You can continue to safely use your appliance without worry.

Is food cooked in a pressure cooker healthy? ›

Cooking with a pressure cooker locks in and preserves every ounce of nutrient goodness in your food with its sealed lid. It's like a nutrient-saving superhero, ensuring your meals are not just tasty but healthy too.

Is cooking meat in an Instant Pot healthy? ›

Pressure-cooked meat-based dishes show a significant reduction in unsaturated fat contents, but it appears that iron is not lost. In addition to making foods like grains and legumes more digestible, pressure cooking does not create any of the unhealthy chemicals associated with baking and grilling methods.

What's healthier Instant Pot or air fryer? ›

The difference between the Instant Pot and air fryer is the way they cook. Instant Pot uses pressure cooking method to make food faster and easier, while air fryer uses hot air method to make oil-free and healthier food.

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