Have you ever heard the claim that there is food with zero calories? And even higher, some foods make you lose more calories than you eat?
While neither of those is exactly true, there are some foods on the market that are pretty near zero calories! We’ve 15 zero-calorie foods which can be so low in calories you needn’t even worry about counting them! In other words, be at liberty to eat as much as you wish!
What Is A Zero-Calorie Food?
A zero-calorie food is largely what it appears like – a calorie-free food! A zero-calorie food is a food with either no calories or negligible calories so low that you just needn’t worry about counting them.
So, do they exist? While there isn’t any such thing as zero-calorie food, there are some zero-calorie liquids and foods with very low calories!
While these foods do have calories, you may principally eat as much as you wish as you will grow to be full long before you will eat enough to realize weight! These can play an intricate role in your total weight reduction program.
Are There Negative-Calorie Foods?
One common myth floating across the web is that negative-calorie foods exist —that’s, foods that make you burn calories!
Probably the most common example people give is usually celery. Now, celery is amazingly low in calories, with a big stalk containing just 9 calories.
People will suggest that while it has such few calories, it actually takes a little bit of energy to chew and eat it. Consequently, the energy needed to chew and digest the calorie is bigger than the calories consumed.
It sounds plausible and truly is not as crazy because it sounds.
Nonetheless, while chewing does require energy, it is not going to burn an additional 6-10 calories.
Does Food Burn Calories?
One other aspect of that is the existence of what is often called the thermic effect of food, or TEF.
TEF is the quantity of food our bodies burn to digest, process, and expel a certain food.¹
You see, our body’s systems require energy to perform. This includes things like;
- Digestions
- Transportation of nutrients
- Utilization of those nutrients
- The entire processes that occur resulting from the food
- Expulsion of the waste
This means that there is truth to the claim that your body burns calories just by eating food – just to not the extent it burns greater than you eat, as that may defeat the aim of eating.
Nonetheless, not all foods have the identical TEF. While different sources can vary, here’s an estimate;
- Fat: 1%
- Carbs: 5-10%
- Protein: 20-30%
Yep, protein has a really high TEF of 20-30%! This is considered one of the explanations high-protein diets are so successful with weight reduction.¹
List Of The Top 15 Zero-Calorie Snacks
Now, let’s undergo the highest zero-calorie foods you may add to your weight loss program to assist mitigate hunger while providing essential nutrients.²
1. Coffee (0 Calories)
We all know that coffee is not a food, however it’s considered one of the few products we eat that has zero calories – at the very least if you happen to drink black coffee.
In reality, if there’s a negative-calorie food, coffee could be it! As we all know, coffee accommodates caffeine, which increases energy and even our metabolism.³
2. Tea (0 Calories)
Again, tea just isn’t a food, but the identical principles that apply to coffee also apply to tea. Tea is a zero-calorie drink that you may should calm down and even curb your appetite.
3. Celery (1 Medium Stalk – 6 Calories)
Celery is the food that began this whole “negative calorie” myth. These are among the lowest-calorie foods you may eat.
You could possibly eat it as is or season it. When you did need to use a condiment, the lowest-calorie selection could be a pleasant balsamic vinegar.
4. Watercress (100g – 11 Calories)
Watercress is a leafy green vegetable growing in water or moist soil. It has a peppery, barely spicy flavor and is usually utilized in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish.
It’s wealthy in nutrients comparable to;
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Iron
- Antioxidants
It’s low in calories, making it a healthy addition to varied dishes. On account of its high nutrient content, watercress is commonly considered a superfood with potential health advantages, including supporting immune function and improving bone health.
5. Cucumber ( 100g – 15 Calories)
Cucumber is one other extremely low-calorie vegetable. One reason for this is that it’s composed of about 95% water! Not only is it low in calories, however it’s also an excellent hydration food!
Cucumbers are sometimes eaten raw in;
Nutritionally, cucumbers are a superb source of vitamins and minerals, including;
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Fiber
Again, something easy like a little bit of balsamic vinegar could make this the last word low-calorie snack.
6. Lemon/Lime (1 Fruit 17-20 Calories)
While technically different citrus fruits – lemons and limes are each known for his or her strong, tart, and tangy flavor, each are sometimes used to flavor tea or water.
While they’ve slight differences in taste, each are wealthy in Vitamin C and offer various health advantages.
Each are high in vitamin C and may be used as a low-calorie method to extend the flavour of foods comparable to;
7. Zucchini (100g – 19 Calories)
Zucchini is a summer squash known for its soft, tender meat. Zucchini may be eaten raw in quite a lot of formats, comparable to;
- Salads
- Sautéed(our favourite!)
- Stir-Fry
- Grilled
- Roasted
- Baked
Just like cucumbers, they’ve very high water content, giving them very low calories. It delivers a ton of nutrients comparable to;
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Fiber
Zucchini is commonly favored in low-calorie diets because it will probably add volume and nutrients to meals without significantly increasing calorie intake.
8. Tomatoes (100g – 20 Calories)
Tomatoes are considered one of those foods which can be treated like vegetables but are literally fruits. Regardless, they’re considered one of the tastiest, zero-calorie foods available on the market.
Like lots of the other foods on this list, tomatoes are a superb source of vitamins and minerals, including;
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Folate
In addition they contain lycopene, a robust antioxidant linked to several health advantages, including reduced risk of heart disease and certain kinds of cancer.
We love tomatoes and use them in lots of dishes. One method is to make use of them with other flavorful vegetables, comparable to onions and peppers, to flavor dishes comparable to chicken naturally.
9. Asparagus (100g – 20 Calories)
Asparagus is among the best vegetables to grill! This green stalk vegetable has a tinder texture when cooked and delivers a pleasant flavor.
It delivers a ton of nutrients, including;
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Potassium
- Iron
- Fiber
As we mentioned, we love grilling these, but you may also roast, steam, bake, and even pan-fry them. We commonly pair these with a pleasant steak!
10. Spinach (100g – 23 Calories)
Everyone knows spinach from Popeye! While it won’t blow up your muscles, spinach is a low-calorie food.
It also packs a ton of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including;
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin)
One among our favourite spinach dishes is solely pan-frying it with garlic.
11. Cabbage ( 100g – 24 Calories)
We never got into cabbage until we had it cooked with garlic and fish sauce (garlic makes the whole lot higher)
Cabbage is often in comparison with lettuce, however the two are very different vegetables. They actually come from different families, and cabbage is more nutritious.
In reality, cabbage belongs to the Brassica family, including broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. It has a light, barely peppery flavor and is commonly utilized in salads, slaws, soups, and as a side dish.
Nutritionally, cabbage is low in calories is wealthy in:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Fiber
- Folate
- Antioxidants (flavonoids, glucosinolates)
Cabbage may be eaten raw, fermented (as in sauerkraut), or cooked in quite a lot of ways. Its high fiber content supports digestive health, and its nutrient density makes it an excellent addition to a healthy weight loss program.
12. Broccoli (100g – 25 Calories)
Through the years, broccoli has gotten a foul rap as a bland food that’s all the time served with “dry chicken breast.” When prepared right, it’s delicious!
Broccoli could be very low in calories and includes the identical group of vitamins as other vegetables, including;
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A
- Folate
- Potassium
- Fiber
- Antioxidants
Broccoli is so nutritious that many individuals give it the title as being a superfood and claim it will probably improve;
- Immune function
- Heart health
- Digestive Health
- Decrease chronic diseases
It will possibly be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, or sautéed for various flavors and textures. Again, garlic is one other awesome addition.
13. Arugula (100g – 25 Calories)
Arugula is one other leafy green vegetable that has plenty of nutrition and just a few calories. Most individuals generally report it has a definite peppery and bitter flavor.
Nutritionally, it’s filled with;
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Antioxidants and Phytochemicals (glucosinolates)
It is commonly utilized in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish, and it pairs well with other greens or roasted vegetables. On account of its high dietary content, we also wish to put it in our protein smoothies.
14. Watermelon (100g – 30 Calories)
Like cucumbers and zucchini, watermelon is largely composed of water, as its name implies. In reality, it’s about 92% water, which makes it a superb hydrating food after your workout!
Just like its vegetable counterparts, watermelon packs a ton of nutrition, including;
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Antioxidants
You possibly can eat watermelon any way you wish, but essentially the most common method is “as-is”—just eating a pleasant slice! Other options may very well be to make use of it in a yogurt bowl or perhaps a smoothie.
15. Alfalfa Sprouts ( 100g – 30 Calories)
Alfalfa sprouts are small, delicate, and mildly nutty. They arrive from the alfalfa plant, which is actually a legume.
Alfalfa sprouts are commonly utilized in sandwiches, salads, wraps, and garnishes. You rarely see these eaten by themselves.
Nutritionally, they deliver;
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Fiber
- Manganese
- Antioxidants
- Phytonutrients
Zero-Calorie Foods For Weight Loss
We just gave you a ton of zero-calorie foods so as to add to your weight loss program. While a few of these could technically be eaten solo, most of them aren’t exactly tasty as-is. One method to utilize these is so as to add them to your meals to extend the majority without increasing the calories.
For instance, increasing the cabbage in a dish or adding arugula to a protein shake. You possibly can ultimately add as much as you wish! This doesn’t suggest their limited calories don’t count.
Nonetheless, as they’re so low, their effect in your hunger will overpower your calories – they may fill you up before you eat too many calories! On your next meal, pile up on these zero-calorie foods, and your overall caloric intake will almost definitely decrease!
Be sure you take a look at another great ideas for other low-calorie snacks!
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