Whether you are trying to lose the last 10 pounds or shed half of your body weight, there is nothing that kills the joy of a great meal like counting calories.
Suddenly, that bacon cheeseburger and hot, crispy fries look like hours on the treadmill and days of regret
The theory of zero calorie foods is that even though they all contain calories, the energy required to consume and digest them often results in a negative calorie yield!
So it doesn?t mean that the food literally contains ZERO calories. It does contain some calories, but the body burns off more calories eating and digesting the food than the food contains.
What makes a food ?zero calories??
Do I have to eat salad all day, every day? Certainly not!
Fortunately, there are a handful of zero calorie foods that provide volume in your diet and won?t leave you scratching your head wondering where your daily calorie allotment went.
Include more of these foods to your diet any chance you get! ?They will keep you away from calories and still fill you up.
The zero calorie foods for weight loss were selected based on three criteria:
- The first was that they must be?full of vitamins and antioxidants for your health.
- The second is that they must?be?under 100 calories per 1?cup?serving.
- Will not include food that is filled up with artificial sugar i.e. diet sodas.
1. Grapefruit
Today, the tart citrus often goes overlooked when it comes to caloric intake.
With?37 calories, 1.7 grams fiber in a half a grapefruit, the energy it takes to digest it makes it a zero calorie option when you need a little pick-me-up.
Best of all, grapefruit contains?naringin,?a compound that revs your metabolism and suppresses your appetite.
Grapefruits are often?associated with dieting and have?long been promoted as an?incredibly?healthy breakfast?item. They are?loaded with vitamins and are?low in calories, but they?really shine from their large?amount of?anti-aging antioxidants.
2. Zucchini
This is a great side dish, but it can also make a killer gluten-free substitute for pasta.
They provide a bountiful source of magnesium, fiber, and folate in your diet. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are powerful phytonutrients that fight off many forms of cancer.
3. Watermelon
This summertime staple is full of an amino acid that gets converted into?arginine?in the body.
Arginine is a remarkable substance found in many weight loss and muscle building supplements.
It has been shown to?blast fat and build muscle?making the 47 calories in a cup of diced watermelon doubly good for you!
Watermelon is a delicious, low-calorie treat that can be enjoyed without the guilt. Not only is it naturally sweet, but it contains many antioxidants and is low in calories.
Make sure that 1 or 2 cups worth doesn?t turn into a dozen.? A strategic way to eat watermelon is to save it for after your dinner for a healthy dessert.
4. Apples
Apples are one of the healthiest fruits on the planet, containing?antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and even pectin which in some studies has been shown to reduce hunger.
Another huge benefit is that apples contain a ton of fiber so if you aren?t feeling regular in that area, apples can give your body the push that it needs.
Eating an apple?can be a?great snack?between?lunch and dinner because it will keep the body?full while providing a?small energy boost.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli is a super-food with the ability to lower the?risk of cancer, raise?vitamin D, C and K, provide healthy fiber, and it even contains a small amount of protein.
Taking Vitamin D is very important because over 75% of people are deficient.
Broccoli also provides the unique benefits of lowering inflammation,?helping with stress,?and?detoxifying the body.??Broccoli is best cooked steamed, blanched, or roasted and can be paired with a variety of foods!
6. Green Tea
The health benefits of green tea cannot be overstated!
Drinking three cups of unsweetened green tea per day?has been shown?to help you lose?twice as much weight as non-green tea drinkers!
As an added bonus, green tea is high in ECGC, an antioxidant that lowers your risk of heart disease.
If you simply must sweeten your tea, opt for stevia, a plant-based?calorie-free?sweetener.
7. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a delicious nutrient powerhouse.
They contains polyphenols that reduce the rates?of cancer and can help manage stress levels because they contain multiple B vitamins (B1, B5, B7, Biotin). ?Because cucumbers primarily consist of water and fiber, they also provide support to the body?s?digestive health.
Throw them on a delicious low-cal salad or enjoy them in a refreshing glass of?cucumber water!
8. Oranges
Oranges are known for having lots of?vitamin C, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin A, and calcium.
This is another great option if you are at work or just looking for a quick snack to?kill your cravings.??They have also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease because of their addition of potassium to a diet.
Eating oranges will help keep a low caloric load for the day and keep you healthy and happy.
9. Kale
There?s simply no better way to say it:?Eat. More. Kale.
It is considered?one of the?most?nutrient-dense foods?on the planet?and contains high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants, and has been shown to lower cholesterol.
The best ways to consume more kale are through?green smoothies,?adding them to salads, or by making kale chips!
10. Asparagus
Asparagus contains high amounts of vitamin K, folate, copper (yes, copper in small amounts is good, don?t go eating bars of it, though), fiber, and vitamin B1.
One of the best ways to prepare asparagus is by grilling it. If you aren?t worried about weight loss while eating it you can wrap it in some bacon or prosciutto.
11.?Celery
When people think of zero-calorie foods this is usually the?one they think about.
Celery by itself doesn?t usually work out for most people so they add other things to it which of course kills the zero-calorie theme, but that doesn?t mean you shouldn?t hesitate to spread some almond butter on it.
Celery is a good source of vitamin K and water so if you find yourself getting filled up from it, this is why.
The best thing you can do with celery is to find ways to incorporate it into your meals and smoothies.
12. Lemons
You might be thinking that there is no way you are going to just eat a lemon and you shouldn?t. Although someties I do love to eat them like that.
Like other citrus fruits they pack a ton of Vitamin C and work magic with your liver and digestive system. They also contain a healthy amount of antioxidants and are almost calorie free.
One of the best ways to consume lemons is in a glass of water. This also offers the benefit of giving you a quick detox.
13. Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are high in fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B, and a ton of other minerals that your body needs.
Usually, you will find this food in stir fry, but if you want to try them in snack form then you can stick them in the oven and roast them.
14.?Carrots
Carrots are known for helping you protect your eyesight, but they do a whole lot more. They are a natural diuretic which helps with digestion?and ensuring that your body keeps its natural inflammation in check.
15. Strawberries
In general berries are known as one of?the lowest?glycemic?fruits available.
One cup of sliced strawberries contains 50 calories and 2.5 grams of fiber?without?sending your blood sugar soaring.
?When all is said and done, berries are the perfect solution when you need a lot of something sweet.
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