It’s probably everyone’s dream to find some zero calorie foods for weight loss or just to avoid consuming calorie-rich foods. Well, the truth is, they exist, but probably not in a way you might think.
The truth is, if the food doesn’t contain calories, then it is most probably not eatable at all…
Let’s break it down.
- Why do we want to eat? – Because our body wants to get nutrition, get fibers; get vitamins, get energy etc. in order to work properly.
- How can we get them? – Mostly by eating.
It is a major misconception that “calories” are bad.
Actually every nutrition we get from food that our body needs is transformed into those calories. We need those calories to function.
Like a car without fuel, we won’t be able to breathe if we don’t have the energy.
And where does the energy come from?
Quick hint – calories are actually units of measurement of the … You guessed it right… energy.
So, we…
- Enjoy our food
- body enjoys the nutrition
- Calories are in-game
- We burn them
You gain weight when you are unable to burn all of those calories. That’s when our body starts to save them as …
Fat or extra weight, whatever you would like to call it.
So we can make a conclusion that our body wants to eat in order to get all of the benefits of the food. And if it is real food, then it has calories.
But what are the zero-calorie foods for weight loss then?
They are foods that contain such a low amount of calories that the body burns them all almost immediately.
So there’s nothing to store, it’s gone once the digestion process starts.
That’s called thermogenesis.
This means that you can’t really survive eating only zero-calorie foods cause if it is gone it the process of digestion, then what will help your body to breath or walk?
In the beginning, it will burn the stored/extra calories also known as the fat or the extra weight.
That’s exactly how zero calorie food will help you to lose weight.
We put together the list of zero calorie foods for weight loss.
These are only the best ones and the ones that have a huge amount of health-related benefits at the same time.
17 Zero Calorie Foods For Weight Loss
Apples
Apples are definitely one of the best “zero calorie foods”. Even if all you eat throughout the day is a couple of apples, it will still be enough to get by throughout the day (for a couple of days, of course, don’t turn this into a normal habit.)
Apples do not contain fat, nor sodium or cholesterol. They are a great source of fiber.
One medium apple of 182 grams contains 95 calories.
Broccoli
Even though some of us (yes, I’m guilty as well) hate the taste of broccoli in general, you can’t deny that they are a gift of nature for those who want to get healthy calories.
In fact, they are one of the top zero-calorie foods mother-nature has given us. With almost 90% of it being water 7% carbohydrates and even 3% of protein, it is easily one of the freshest and healthiest foods.
31 calories per cup?
Yes, you heard it right. These calories will be gone in no time and definitely will force your body to use the extra savings of fat that it has.
Asparagus
Even though asparagus might not be the most attractive and appetizing foods out there, you should not underrate the benefits it has as a zero-calorie food.
It is one of the richest sources of dietary fibers, contains a lot of vitamins as vitamin C, Vitamin B2 and B9, vitamin K and E. It also contains minerals such as potassium, manganese, phosphorus and iron.
And last but not least – 100 g = 20 calories
Watermelon
People who are in search of the zero calorie foods for weight loss often refer to the watermelon as the best option that is available. While it is not completely “the best” option, you can’t deny that it is absolutely one of the bests.
Watermelons are fruits and vegetables at the same time… Their consistency is mostly made up of water, a whopping 92% to be more specific.
But even though it sounds great, you do not get calories from the water. You need to get some, right?
Well, with almost no fats and a low amount of proteins, 8 grams of carbs make up to 30 calories per 100 grams of watermelon.
You eat but get a low amount of calories, you drink A LOT, it keeps you fresh and without a taste of hunger. What more can you ask for?
Cucumber
A lot of people love cucumbers for their freshness and great neutral taste that goes along with almost anything. But it is a less known fact that cucumber is one of the best sources of calories which are easily digested and don’t stay in our body for a long time.
Whooping 16 calories per 100 grams is just one of the many benefits that cucumbers have.
They also contain vitamins like B1,B2,B3,B5,B6 and vitamin C. They also contain Focid Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Potassium.
Watermelons consist out of water for 92%. Well, cucumbers top them with 95%.
And did you know that cucumbers can actually help to cure the bad breath condition?
Oranges
Did you know that in fact, the oranges are actually the modified berries? Yes, you heard it right. Even though they are known as a member of a citrus family, they are a fleshy fruit produced from a single ovary, which makes them a part of the berries family.
The oranges are a perfect meal for those in search of zero-calorie foods.
One last orange is great for diet and a great source of vitamin C. In fact, by eating that one orange, you are able to get the full amount of vitamin C which is recommended.
That same one large orange contains 87 calories mostly made up of 22g of carbohydrates.
Tomatoes
Did you know that tomatoes are actually fruits and not vegetables? Well, you do now.
Tomatoes are known as a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which is linked to a lot of health benefits like reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also full of vitamin C and vitamin K.
They have 18 calories per 100 grams.
Grapefruit
Some people like the taste of grapefruits, some don’t. But regardless of its taste, grapefruits are one of the best zero calorie foods for weight loss. They are easily digested and don’t contain a lot of calories.
Grapefruit helps to stabilize the blood pressure and avoid heart-related health problems. It contains a great combination of fiber, lycopene, vitamin C and choline.
Grapefruit contains 42 calories per 100 grams.
Lemons
Even though lemons are not really a great idea of a go-to meal or a basic meal at all because of their taste, they are one of the most terrific options of the zero-calorie foods.
They are available all year long because lemon trees don’t stop producing throughout the year. They are kind of a hybrid between sour orange and citron.
It is known all over the world that they are the best source of vitamin C.
Lemons contain 29 calories per 100 grams.
Limes
Much like lemons, limes come from the same citrus family.
They have that sour taste and are not really known for being a great just-eat type of meal, but are really good for dietary purposes.
Lime contains a lot of vitamin C, has almost no fat and contains just 20 calories per 1 average-sized lime.
A great example of zero calorie foods for weight loss, huh?
Onions
Your diet probably shouldn’t be built around the onions because … Well, you know…
But regardless of its flaws, onion is a great source of vitamins like vitamin C, it also contains manganese, potassium and phosphorus. It has a high content of dietary fibers.
You can include onions in your meals in three ways – raw, you can cook it or pickled.
40 calories – 100 grams of onions.
Carrots
Carrots are one of my favorite zero-calorie foods. They taste great, are crunchy, fresh and have a lot of health-related benefits.
Carrots are a great source of fiber, vitamin K, Potassium, antioxidants and beta-carotene.
They help with digesting and are known for being great for eyesight.
There are 41 calories per 100 grams of carrots.
Pretty good deal, huh?
Pumpkin
Believe it or not, but apparently, pumpkins are not there only for Halloween parties.
They are actually a terrific source of nutrition for those who are trying to have a healthy lifestyle.
The fiber, vitamin C and potassium that are the parts of a pumpkin are all the great support of a healthy heart.
There are 26 calories in 100 grams of a pumpkin.
Apricots
Even though the apricots are not always available and are rather a seasonal fruit, you got to include them in your diet when you can.
They are a terrific source of vitamin A, rich in fiber, antioxidants. They also help to strengthen your bones.
We love that they are good for your skin and help in the process of weight-loss.
Apricots taste great and have 17 calories per 1 piece.
Mushrooms
For a lot of people, mushrooms are not really known for their dietary benefits.
In fact, they should be…
They are one of the “best” zero calorie foods for weight loss.
They consist of almost no fat and a good amount of proteins and carbs (3g each).
All that sums up into the 22 calories per 100 grams of mushrooms.
Cauliflower
Back in a day, you probably hated cauliflowers just like I did. But mom kept saying that they are beneficial for your health, didn’t she?
Well, she was right. ..
Cauliflowers are full of health-related benefits like fibers, vitamins (C, K & B group vitamins) and minerals like manganese, potassium and magnesium.
They contain a low amount of caloric value, 25 calories for every 100 grams of cauliflower to be exact and can actually be used as a great substitute for potatoes and rice.
Green tea & Coffee
We all know that a cup of pure water is great for any kind of diet.
Drinking three liters per day helps your body to work properly.
But what about green tea and coffee?
The fact is that you can use green tea and coffee in your diet as a zero-calorie meal as well.
Drink them without the sugar and you will get around 1-to-none calories per cup, but a great taste, along with lots of vitamins and minerals.
True zero-calorie foods do exist after all, huh?
That’s your list of 17 zero calorie foods for weight loss that we promised…
Don’t you think it is a huge relief to have these in your arsenal to keep your stomach full and yet don’t risk gaining weight?
More importantly, you know the formula, right?
When you receive less than you burn, you start burning the reserves of your body – so-called fats…
You get the point, no need to clarify the importance of zero calorie foods for weight loss for that matter I guess…
Did you know all of these facts? Was it helpful? Let us know…
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