38 ZERO CALORIE FOODS, THAT ARE SUPRISINGLY FILLING!
One of the most challenging aspects of weight loss is cutting back on calories. Many low-calorie foods can leave you feeling hungry and unfulfilled between meals, making it much more tempting to overeat and indulge.
Fortunately, plenty of healthy foods exist that are both filling and almost zero in calories.
WHAT MAKES A FOOD ZERO CALORIE?
The FDA legally allows manufacturers to label anything with less than five calories as having zero calories. The thinking behind negative-calorie foods like celery or cucumbers, is that you expend more calories digesting them than they contain, hence, you'll burn calories merely by consuming them.
WHICH FOODS HAVE ALMOST ZERO CALORIES?
1.Apples
Apples are highly nutritious and one of the most popular fruits in the United States.One cup (125 grams) of apple slices has 57 calories and almost three grams of dietary fiber .Since your body has to burn energy to digest apples, the net amount of calories provided by this fruit is probably fewer than reported.
2. Arugula
Arugula is a dark, leafy green with a peppery flavor.
It’s commonly used in salads, is rich in vitamin K and also contains folate, calcium and potassium.
One-half cup (10 grams) of arugula has only three calories
3. Asparagus
Asparagus is a flowering vegetable .One cup (134 grams) of asparagus has only 27 calories and is rich in vitamin K and folate, providing 70% and 17% of the DVs, respectively.
4. Beets
Beets are root vegetables that typically have a deep-red or purple color. One of the most researched benefits of beets is their potential to lower blood pressure.Beets contain only 59 calories per cup (136 grams) and 13% of the DV for potassium .
5. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. One cup (91 grams) of broccoli has only 31 calories and over 100% of the amount of vitamin C that most people need per day .
6. Broth
There are many varieties of broth, including chicken, beef and vegetable. It can be eaten alone or used as a base for soups and stews.Depending on the type of broth, one cup — or about 240 ml — usually contains 7–12 calories.
7. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are highly nutritious vegetables. Research shows that eating Brussels sprouts may protect against DNA damage due to their high vitamin C content ).
These nutritional powerhouses only have 38 calories per cup (88 grams).
8. Cabbage
Cabbage is a common ingredient in slaws and salads. Fermented cabbage is known as sauerkraut.
It’s very low in calories and contains only 22 calories per cup (89 grams).
9. Carrots
Carrots are very popular vegetables. Most people associate good eyesight with eating carrots since they’re rich in beta-carotene, which can be converted to vitamin A. A one-cup serving (128 grams) of carrots has only 53 calories and over 400% of the DV for vitamin A .
10. Cauliflower
In recent years, cauliflower has become very popular as a substitute for higher-carb vegetables or grains.One cup (100 grams) of cauliflower has 25 calories and only five grams of carbs.
11. Celery
Celery is one of the most well-known, low-calorie foods.Its long, green stalks contain insoluble fiber that may go undigested through your body, thus contributing no calories.There are only 18 calories in one cup (110 grams) of chopped celery .
12. Chard
It’s extremely high in vitamin K, a nutrient that helps with proper blood clotting.
One cup (36 grams) of chard has only 7 calories and contains 374% of the DV for vitamin K .
13. Clementines
Clementines resemble mini oranges. One fruit (74 grams) packs 60% of the DV for vitamin C and only 35 calories .
14. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a refreshing vegetable commonly found in salads. Since cucumbers are mostly water, they’re very low in calories — one-half cup (52 grams) only has 8 .
15. Fennel
Fennel is a bulbous vegetable with a faint licorice taste. Dried fennel seeds are used to add an anise flavor to dishes.
There are 27 calories in one cup (87 grams) of raw fennel .
16. Garlic
Garlic has been used for centuries as a remedy for various illnesses. Research suggests that it may decrease blood pressure and fight infections or even cancer .
One clove (3 grams) of garlic has only 5 calories .
17. Grapefruit
grapefruit may decrease cholesterol levels and increase metabolism.
There are 52 calories in half a grapefruit (123 grams) .
18. Iceberg Lettuce
Even though most people think it’s not as nutritious as other lettuces, iceberg lettuce is rich in vitamin K, vitamin A and folate.One cup (72 grams) of iceberg lettuce has only 10 calories .
19. Jicama
One cup (120 grams) of jicama has over 40% of the DV for vitamin C and only 46 calories .
20. Kale
Kale is a leafy green that has gained popularity in recent years for its impressive nutritional benefits.
Kale is one of the richest sources of vitamin K in the world. One cup (67 grams) has close to seven times the amount of vitamin K that the average person needs per day and only 34 calories.
21. Lemons and Limes
Citrus does more than just add flavor. Research shows that lemon juice has compounds that can act as antioxidants to fight and prevent diseases in your body .One fluid ounce (30 grams) of lemon or lime juice has only 8 calories.
22. White Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus with a sponge-like texture. Mushrooms contain several important nutrients and have only 15 calories per cup (70 grams).
23. Onions
Onions are a very popular vegetable. Even though the taste differs depending on the type, all onions have very few calories — one medium onion (110 grams) has approximately 44.
24. Peppers
There are only 46 calories in one cup (149 grams) of chopped, red bell peppers.
25. Papaya
Papaya is very high in vitamin A and a good source of potassium. One cup (140 grams) of papaya has only 55 calories (38).
26. Radishes
Radishes have several beneficial nutrients and only 19 calories per cup (116 grams) .
27. Romaine Lettuce
The calorie content of romaine is very low since its high in water and rich in fiber. One leaf (6 grams) of romaine lettuce has just a single calorie.
28. Rutabaga
Rutabaga is a root vegetable also known as swede.One cup (140 grams) of rutabaga has 50 calories and only 11 grams of carbohydrates .
29. Strawberries
Studies show that eating berries may help protect you from chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. There are less than 50 calories in one cup (152 grams) of strawberries (43).
30. Spinach
Spinach is another leafy green that is loaded with vitamins and minerals and very low in calories.
A one-cup (30 grams) serving of spinach has only 7 calories.
31. Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are a delicious variety of peas. Snap peas are highly nutritious and contain almost 100% of the DV for vitamin C for only 41 calories in one cup (98 grams) .
32. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also highly nutritious and contain a beneficial compound called lycopene. Research has shown that lycopene may protect against cancer, inflammation and heart disease.One cup (149 grams) of cherry tomatoes has 27 calories .
33. Turnips
Turnips are white root vegetables with slightly bitter flesh.
Turnips have several beneficial nutrients and only 37 calories per cup (130 grams) .
34. Watercress
Watercress is a leafy vegetable that grows in running water. One cup (34 grams) of this vegetable provides 106% of the DV for vitamin K, 24% of the DV for vitamin C and 22% of the DV for vitamin A — and all for a meager 4 calories (49).
35. Watermelon
Watermelon contains some of almost every nutrient and a high amount of vitamin C. There are 46 calories in one cup (152 grams) of diced watermelon .
36. Zucchini
Zucchini is a green type of summer squash.
Zucchini is also quite low in calories, with only 18 per cup (124 grams) .
37. Beverages: Coffee, Herbal Tea, Water, Carbonated Water
Plain water contains no calories. Most herbal teas and carbonated waters have zero to very few calories, while black coffee has only 2 calories per cup (237 grams).
38. Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are used to add flavor to foods and are extremely low in calories.Common herbs that are eaten fresh or dried include parsley, basil, mint, oregano and cilantro. Some well-known spices are cinnamon, paprika, cumin and curry.
Most herbs and spices have fewer than five calories per teaspoon .
THE BOTTOMLINE
There are many delicious foods that are low in calories. Most of them are fruits and vegetables that also contain nutrients that benefit your health. Eating a variety of these foods will provide you with plenty of nutrients for a minimal amount of calories and you will have rapid weight loss.
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