One of the most popular food fads that has grabbed everyone’s attention in recent times is the notion of negative calorie foods.
According to this theory, you can have as much of these foods as you like without any weight gain, and that’s because digesting these foods takes up more calories than what they inherently contain.
There are two categories of calories. Empty calories and negative calories. Empty calories are the ones, which when consumed generate immense amount of calories. These contain no nutritional value.
The other, negative calories, come from foods that are nutritious and low on calories.
They are great to be added to your diet if you want to lose weight as your body does require bare minimum calories to generate energy and sustain.
Listed below are 9 negative calorie foods you can add to your diet.
1. Celery
Containing barely 16 calories per 100 grams, celery is ranked high among negative calorie foods. Packed with fiber, celery is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate.
2. Berries
Indulge in these sweet and tangy treats without feeling guilty. Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries contain just 32 calories per half a cup. Known for their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, berries are really good for your heart too.
3. Grapefruit
Containing about 40 calories per 100 grams, grapefruit is a storehouse of vitamin C, folic acid and potassium along with soluble fibre pectin. Foods rich in vitamin C can help reduce the severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma.
4. Carrots
Carrots contain about 41 calories per 100 grams. They are also low in cholesterol and saturated fats which can work wonders if you happen to be struggling with hypertension issues. Along with being a good source of dietary fiber, carrots are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and potassium
5. Tomatoes
This tangy delight contains a minimal of 19 calories per 100 grams. Apart from being a juicy and delicious source of dietary fiber, potassium and vitamin C. They also contain lycopene, an antioxidant known to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Tomatoes can also prove effective in lowering your cholesterol levels.
6. Cucumbers
16 calories per 100 grams! Yes our favourite salad is that low on calories. Cucumbers are full of minerals, vitamins and electrolytes and are extremely hydrating. It is also known as the classic cooling food which helps maintain the body’s water balance on hot days.
7. Watermelon
Another summer favourite, watermelons contain 30 calories per 100 grams. Watermelons are also rich in lycopene which can help protect the heart. The citrulline in the rind and the flesh of watermelon can also ensure smooth blood flow and enhanced immunity.
8. Apples
Now they don’t say ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ for nothing. Containing about 50 calories per 100 grams, apple is the fibre-rich snack you must keep in your bag to beat your mid-day hunger pangs. Apples are high in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that encourages weight loss, and releases sugar gradually to help regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. The fiber present in apples also provides relief from constipation.
9. Zucchini
Containing as low as 18 calories per 100 grams, zucchini is one of the highly recommended negative calorie foods by the nutritionists. The phytonutrients in Zucchini also promote bowel regularity and aid water balance in the body.
