Zero-Calories Foods! Yes! Zero-Calories Foods for weight loss… just saying it sounds weird and ridiculous, isn’t it! But there is a logic behind this concept of Zero-Calories Foods compared to other general foods.
Cutting down calories is one of the most challenging experiences when it comes to ones’ weight-loss journey. We all need calories to provide our bodies with the energy necessary for functionality on a daily basis.
So, the rationale behind this concept is based on the fact that your body will burn more calories digesting the food and metabolising all the good nutrients than the actual total amount of calories the foods actually contain.
This is how the body heat up itself and this is called Thermogenesis (In this case its called Diet-Induced Thermogenesis)
This doesn’t literally mean that these foods don’t have any calories at all (Zero-Calories). This sound awesome isn’t it!!!
We all know that the biggest challenge that one might face when it comes to losing weight is to cut down on the consumption of extra calories. So now that you know this idea which I think is pretty cool! Maybe you should try to have more of these Zero calorie foods during meals or snack times. Especially when on a weight-loss journey, we know it can be challenging trying to find what to eat and avoid excess calories.
These amazing foods are based on the fact that they are under 100 calories per cup and they must be rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Since we now know the background of these zero calorie foods, let’s see what they’re and how beneficial are they to us…
10 Best Zero-Calories Foods Beneficial For Weight Loss
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the densest nutritious vegetables on the planet and a member of the cruciferous family. Also known as a superfood for its amazing properties of fighting cancer. It also helps increase your Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K levels. Broccoli provides you with the healthy fibre that you need to soothe your digestive system.
If you’re also trying to up your protein, then you’re covered as is it contains a small amount of that to supplement what you already have.
A cup of Broccoli which is about 90grams has 31 calories!
Apples
Apples are exceptional highly nutritious fruits and because of that, they are so popular. They contain a lot of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins and they are best known for their ability to keep you fuller for longer. This is due to the fact they have Pectin which has been shown to suppress and reduce hunger.
Apples are linked with the ability to reduce the risks of developing heart diseases. One study found that this could be because they contain soluble fibre which is responsible for lowering cholesterol.
A cup (125g) of sliced apple will provide you with 57 calories and around 3 grams of fibre. One great thing about Apples is that your body has to burn more energy to be able to digest them.
Soup
Soup is considered to be a full meal and this is one of the reasons why one might feel fuller and satisfied after consuming it. Clear soups that are mostly stock-based are more beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight as compared to those that are generally heavy and filled with different ingredients.
Stock-based clear soups work by slowing down the process of digestion and gastric emptying resulting in a decrease in the total amount of calorie intake. At the same time, it creates an increase in glycemic response!
Berries Are Loaded With Antioxidants
There are different types of berries that exist across the world and these include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. They’re all loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals all necessary for our bodies’ maximum function. Berries help protect from chronic illness like cardiovascular and cancerous diseases.
The fibre content present in berries helps increase your feeling of fullness slowing gastric emptying at the same time. This dietary fibre in Berries is called Pectin.
One can easily stay without a full meal if they have consumed a nice portion of berries instead. Furthermore, berries are believed to help lower the consumption of calories hence resulting in the reduction weight in the process.
One thing to remember about berries is that they’re versatile and can be used in many settings like salads, Shakes, breakfast dishes and as snacks!
A cup of Blueberries (150grams) give you 84 calories and about 3.6gram of fibre.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and they are considered to be Zero-Calorie foods too. These include (but not all) kale, collards, chard, spinach and are low in calories and a rich source of dietary fibre. Many people often complain of constipation while they are trying to lose weight. So consuming green leafy vegetables can help you increase your recommended fibre consumption.
Studies have shown that eating leafy greens increases volume in your meals without increasing calories. It’s also been shown that diets and meals that have low energy quantity help people eat fewer calories in general. This is mainly due to the fact that they’re Zero-Calorie Food.
Celery, The Most Known Zero-Calories Food
Celery is one of the most popular known Zero-Calorie Foods around. It contained insoluble fibre which may peristalses undigested down your gastrointestinal tract hence contributing zero calories.
It provides a source of Vitamin K and has high water content. Despite the fact that it’s low in calories, it helps increase your daily water consumption.
The only downside of Celery, however, is that it’s tasteless! But you can add some filling to it to get that flavour like peanut butter… but you have to watch your calories though.
One of the best ways to use celery without feeling that tasteless feeling is but putting in your Shakes or smoothies!
A Cup of Celery(110gram) will give you about 18 calories!
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are highly nutritious and they can be eaten raw or cooked. They are known for this great ability to protect our bodies again DNA damage, this is mainly due to their high content of Vitamin C.
Brussels sprouts are also a source of Vitamin K which is important for blood clotting in our bodies and bones health. Their richness in Vitamin C makes them responsible for general tissue repair.
The other great thing to note about Brussels sprouts is that they are high in dietary fibre to help with regularity and gut health.
There is so much more that these little cabbage-like vegetable do to help our body function optimally. So why not give them a try, you might just love them! After all it’s also a Zero-Calorie food!
A Cup (88grams) of Brussels Sprouts will give you a little 22 calories.
GrapeFruits
Grapefruits are the most delicious and nutritious citrus fruits around and can be used in different ways for enjoyment. But most importantly, they assist in the decrease of cholesterol levels and fat stores and increases your metabolism.
It is a go-to superfood for many because of these and many more amazing benefits. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, a cup of red, white or pink Grapefruit contains about 74 calories and many other minerals and vitamins.
Asparagus
With only about 27 calories per cup, Asparagus is packed with a high amount of Vitamin K, Folate, Copper Vitamin B1 and Fibre. It also has Iron and Vitamin A responsible for your good eyes sight.
It definitely has its power especially that it helps to flush out that extra water weight and helps you feel lighter. It’s another Zero-Calorie Food to have in the pantry!
You can grill or oven Asparagus and sprinkle some lemon juice for that amazing flavour and that it!
Carrots, A Popular Zero-Calories Food
As one of the most popular vegetables in every household around the world, Carrots are also part of the Zero calorie foods. They are very rich in Beta-Carotene and that’s why most people associate them with good eyesight. When consumed, the beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A which a good source for good vision. They also have a lot of antioxidants and do act as a natural diuretic!
Carrots are easy to carry around and can be eaten as a snack as well throughout the day. You can also add them in salads, boil them or use them in main dishes for the day.
A Cup of Carrots will give 53 calories.
In Conclusion
As you can probably see, there are a lot of ‘Zero-Calorie Foods’ which you can incorporate into your daily meals. We have not exhausted them here at all and if we try, we’ll otherwise be here for a long haul!!!
But most of these foods are fruits and vegetables and they contain all the necessary nutrients for our bodies to functions at a maximum level. It’s so vital to make sure these foods are included in our daily meals to get all the benefits they offer.
This will allow us to be able to live a healthier active and happier lifestyles.
You can continue reading some interesting article below to get equipped to live a healthy active lifestyle…