Lose Weight Faster with These Zero-Calorie Foods

Lose Weight Faster with These Zero-Calorie Foods. One word springs to mind when one thinks of weight loss: calories! Yes, calories matter; consuming more calories than you burn will lead to weight gain. So, most diets require calorie counting but intermittent fasting is the only effective weight management system that doesn’t ask you to count calories. You can take the quiz and get your personalized fasting plan to start your journey now.

Still, if you aim to lose a few extra pounds, consuming fewer calories after your fast can be beneficial in losing more weight. Is it possible to eat food with zero calories? Let’s have a look at what zero calories is, a list of zero-calorie foods, and see if following a zero-calorie food diet is a good idea.

What is zero-calorie?

Let’s first debunk the zero-calorie myth – almost all food contains calories. When people talk about negative or zero-calorie foods, they refer to foods so low in calories that the energy taken to eat and digest them uses up all or most of their calorie content. Aside from foods like artificial sweeteners engineered to contain no calories, the only natural zero-calorie source is water.

What are foods that have zero or low calories?

Lose Weight Faster with These Zero-Calorie Foods. The foods listed below either contain virtually no calories, are very low in calories, or most of the calories are not absorbed by the body. Overall, these foods have little to no caloric value.

All of these foods have fewer than 40 calories per serving.

Vegetables

Most vegetables are high volume, low calorie foods. This means they can help you feel full without contributing to a high calorie intake.

1. Cabbage

Raw cabbage contains 25 calories per 3.5 ounces (oz) and is rich in folate, vitamin K, and vitamin C.

2) Asparagus

Green, white, and purple asparagus not only contains just 27 calories per cup, but it could also help to prevent heart disease.

3) Beets

With just 59 calories per cup, beets are nutrition-packed root vegetables that can potentially lower blood pressure.

4) Broccoli

Known for its cancer-fighting qualities, broccoli is another zero-calorie food, with one cup containing just 31 calories.

5) Brussels Sprouts

Packed with vitamin C, Brussels sprouts can be eaten raw or cooked, containing around 38 calories per one-cup serving.

6) Cabbage

With one cup of cabbage just 22 calories, cabbage is a staple on the zero-calorie food diet.

7) Carrots

With just 53 calories per cup, weight loss is not the only benefit of eating carrots; they could also help to improve your eyesight as they are a great source of beta-carotene.

8. Apples

Apples are known for their high water content and dietary fiber. These characteristics contribute to a feeling of fullness or satiety. The fiber in apples can help slow digestion and keep you satisfied for longer periods, which may be helpful if you’re trying to manage your calorie intake. One apple, weighing 182 grams, contains 95 calories, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0.5 grams of protein, and 0.3 grams of fat.

9. Cauliflower 

A vegetable used, useful, and rich in fiber (about 2 grams per 100 grams), vitamin C (around 48.20 milligrams per 100 grams), and vitamin K, along with antioxidants. So, cauliflower helps with digestion and weight loss and has anti-inflammatory properties. According to a study, cauliflower’s nutritional components reduce inflammation and decrease chronic diseases. Besides that, cauliflower contains detoxifying compounds that may also provide anti-cancer benefits.

10. Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in valuable nutrients: vitamin C (89 milligrams per 100 grams), vitamin K (around 101 micrograms per 100 grams), and vitamin A, with about 700 IU per 100 grams. Moreover, fiber (about 2.6 grams in 100 grams) and folate are present in the vegetable. For these qualities, broccoli favors the immune system, protects hearts, and facilitates digestion. The research suggests that sulforaphane in broccoli reduces the risk of heart disease. Likewise, high fiber in broccoli improves cholesterol and supports digestive health.

Cruciferous vegetables

Broccoli

Zero-Calorie Foods for Weight Loss. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that’s incredibly nutritious. Studies show that people who consume high amounts of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may be at a lower risk of developing conditions like heart disease and certain cancers A cup (155 grams) of cooked broccoli has only 54 calories and over 100% of the amount of vitamin C that most people need per day.

Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts resemble mini cabbages and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient that functions to protect cell against oxidative damage.

One cooked cup (155 grams) of these nutritional powerhouses contains just 70 calories

.

Cabbage

Cabbage is another cruciferous vegetable that comes in various colors, including green, red, and white. It’s a common ingredient in slaws and salads and a star ingredient in fermented dishes like sauerkraut and kimchi.

It’s very low in calories at only 22  per cup (89 grams).

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is typically seen as a white head inside green leaves. Less common varieties have purple, orange, and yellow heads.

In recent years, cauliflower has become very popular as a substitute for higher-carb vegetables or grains. For example, cauliflower “rice” and cauliflower pizza crusts are popular among those on lower-carb diets.

A cup (155 grams) of cooked cauliflower provides 40 calories and only 8 grams of carbs.

Water-rich foods

Watermelon

As its name suggests, watermelon is a very hydrating fruit. It tastes delicious on its own or paired with fresh mint and feta cheese.

Watermelon is a good source of many nutrients, including vitamin C. There are 46 calories in 1 cup (154 grams) of watermelon balls.

Celery

Because of its high water content, celery is very low in calories. Try pairing celery sticks with natural peanut butter and a sprinkling of raisins for a classic snacking combination that provides a filling mix of protein, fat, and fiber.

There are only 17 calories in 1 cup (120 grams) of celery.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a refreshing vegetable commonly found in salads. They’re also used to flavor water along with fruits and herbs, and they can make a low calorie base for high protein dishes like chicken or tuna salad.

Since cucumbers are mostly water, they’re very low in calories — a half-cup (52 grams) has only 8 calories. 

Iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce is known for its high water content. It’s commonly used in salads and on top of burgers or sandwiches.

Even though most people think it’s not as nutritious as other types of lettuce, iceberg lettuce is a good source of some nutrients, including vitamin K, provitamin A, and folate.

One cup (57 grams) of iceberg lettuce has only 8 calories.