Instant pot meals for weight loss are basically the only reason I didn’t gain the full quarantine fifteen—okay, twenty—back when we were all stuck inside. I’m in my tiny apartment in Seattle right now, rain tapping the window like it’s personally offended, and my Instant Pot is humming on the counter next to a cold cup of coffee I forgot about three hours ago. Smells like garlic and cumin, which is honestly better than the takeout regret I used to wake up to. I’ve lost fifteen pounds since July, but let’s be real—I still hide Oreos in the freezer “for emergencies.” Anyway, here’s the deal.
Why Instant Pot Meals for Weight Loss Actually Work for a Hot Mess Like Me
I’m not some meal-prep goddess. I’m the guy who once set off the smoke alarm making boxed mac and cheese. But the Instant Pot? You dump stuff in, walk away, come back to food that didn’t come from a drive-thru. Last week I made chicken veggie soup while on a work call—muted myself to cough when the steam hit my face. Tasted better than anything I’d order, and the scale didn’t scream at me the next day. I did screw up the first batch though—forgot the trivet, chicken stuck to the bottom like glue. Scraped it out anyway. Waste not, right?
The Time I Almost Gave Up on Healthy Instant Pot Meals for Weight Loss
True story: third week in, I made “skinny” lasagna. Used zucchini instead of noodles, felt smug. Then I opened the lid and it looked like swamp sludge. Ate it over the sink at 10 p.m. anyway because I’m stubborn. Next day? Down half a pound. That’s when I realized flavor > perfection. Now I add red pepper flakes like it’s my job. Still not pretty, but my jeans fit.
My Go-To Instant Pot Meals for Weight Loss (That Don’t Suck)
These are the ones I actually make when I’m hangry and the pizza app is one tap away. Tweaked from blogs I stalk at 2 a.m., but made dumber and lazier.
- Stupid-Easy Chicken Soup: Chicken thighs (cheaper, juicier), carrots, celery, onion, splash of broth. 10 mins high pressure. I throw in frozen spinach at the end because fresh wilts in my fridge. ~250 cals. Tastes like hug.
- Lentil Slop (I Mean Chili): Red lentils, canned tomatoes, cumin, way too much chili powder because stress. Top with Greek yogurt, not sour cream. 220 cals. Farts for days, worth it.
- Salmon + Asparagus Combo: Trivet, salmon on top, asparagus below, lemon slices I found in the crisper. 3 mins. Yes, three. 180 cals. Feels fancy, is not.
- Turkey Meatball Mess: Ground turkey, oats, egg, dump in marinara. 8 mins. I eat straight from the pot with a fork like an animal. 300 cals.
Dumb Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
- Overfilled the pot. Soup volcano. Mopped ceiling at midnight.
- Used quick release on beans. Looked like abstract art on my cabinets.
- Thought “low cal” meant “no flavor.” Season, people. Season.
- Weighed myself after salty meals. Panic. Hydrate instead.
Random Tips for Instant Pot Meals for Weight Loss That Saved My Sanity
- Freeze in single servings or you’ll eat the whole pot. Ask me how I know.
- Keep a “flavor bomb” jar—minced garlic, ginger, chili in oil. Scoop and dump.
- Natural release for meats, quick for veggies. Write it on the lid in Sharpie.
- If it tastes bland, hot sauce fixes everything.
Look, Instant Pot meals for weight loss aren’t magic. I still eyeball portions wrong, still sneak fries, still step on the scale and sigh. But most nights I eat something warm, homemade, and under 400 calories without crying. That’s a win. Try the chicken soup tomorrow. If it sucks, blame me. If it works, tell your friends. Either way, keep going. I’m over here burning garlic as we speak. Normal.
Outbound Links:–
https://www.skinnytaste.com/recipes/instant-pot-recipes/
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/low-calorie-instant-pot/
https://instantloss.com/the-ultimate-list-of-instant-pot-throw-it-together-recipes/
https://detoxinista.com/weight-loss-instant-pot-recipes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/InstantPotRecipes/comments/1it8ni8/healthiest_dump_n_go_instant_pot_recipes_for/
https://kristineskitchenblog.com/29-healthy-instant-pot-recipes-quick-easy/
