We need food for calories. It is calories from food which provides the energy that your body needs to function and stay alive. When you eat, your body uses certain energy to digest the food. When your body spends more energy / calories in digesting the food and extracting all the good nutrients from the food as compared to the total number of calories contained in the food, that food is called zero or negative calorie food. For eg, Let’s say food X has 40 calories. While digesting, if your body is burning 40 calories or more than food X will be called a zero or negative calorie food. This process of including zero calorie food in the diet for weight loss is called ‘Thermogenesis’. Most of the dietician / nutritionists add these food to their recommended diet charts to get the desired results. Most of these zero calorie food are very high in fibre and water content. Let us look at top 10 zero calorie food which can help you lose weight while adding the necessary nutrients to your diet.
1. Number 10- Beetroot
- Beets are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, some of which have added medicinal properties
- Beetroot is also known to be rich in folate, potassium, manganese and iron
- Calories – 37 / 100 grams
2. Number 9 – Apples
- Apples are one of the healthiest fruits on the planet
- It contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- Apple is an important source of pectin, one of the important benefits of apple is that apples contains a lot of fibre which is extremely good for your body
- One should have apple as a whole in moderation not as juice or puree
- Calorie – 52 / 100 grams
3. Number 8 – Melons
- Melons are extremely hydrating
- These are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Apart from this, melons also contain antioxidants and helps boost metabolism
- Calories
- Watermelon – 30 / 100 grams
- Cantaloupe – 34 / 100 grams
4. Number 7 – Carrots
- Carrots are known for helping you protect your eyesight. Apart from this, carrots do a lot more
- Carrots are a natural diuretic which helps with digestion and ensures that your body keeps it’s natural inflammation in check
- Calories – 40 / 100 grams
5. Number 6 – Tomatoes
- Tomatoes contain a large amount of vitamin C and other antioxidants to keep the body ticking
- Tomatoes however are best known for their high concentration of lycopene. Lycopene is also known as the cancer fighting superhero
- Lycopene also helps defend against various other heart diseases
- Calories – 17 / 100 grams
6. Number 5 – White Mushrooms
- White Mushrooms contain a substantial amount of vitamin D which helps in absorption of calcium
- White Mushrooms also contain vitamin B in good quantity which improves mood and provides long lasting energy
- Calories – 20 / 100 grams
7.Number 4 – Cucumbers - Cucumber is great for your body as it contains polyphenols
- Cucumbers also contain multiple vitamin B (B1, B5, B7, biotin etc)
- Cucumber are extremely good for your digestive system as well
- Calories – 10 / 100 grams
8. Number 3 – Cruciferous Vegetables
- Cruciferous vegetables are highly recommended for healthy weight loss
- These vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, fibre and phytonutrients
- Calories
- Broccoli – 30 / 100 grams
- Cauliflower – 31 / 100 grams
- Cabbage – 21 / 100 grams
- Brussels Sprouts – 40 / 100 grams
9. Number 2 – Green Leafy Vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables are loaded with antioxidants
- Apart from this, these also contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals
- Calories
- Spinach – 25 / 100 grams
- Lettuce – 16 / 100 grams
- Celery – 08 / 100 grams
- Bathua – 19 / 100 grams
- Mustard Leaves – 14 / 100 grams
10. Number 1 – Eggplant or Aubergine
- Eggplants contain fibre, potassium, vitamin C and B 6
- These contain a red blue flavonoid plant pigment called anthocyanin which has been found to help with dropping blood pressure
- Eggplants contains a number of polyphenols or antioxidants. Apart from this, eggplant also contains many essential minerals including iron and copper
- Calories – 20 / 100 grams
Apart from these 10 food, here are some food which are zero calorie food
- Lemons : 11 calories per 100 grams
- Herbs and Spices : 5 calories 1 tsp
- Herbal Tea : approx 1 calories per cup
- Green Tea : approx 1.8 calories per cup
All these food are high on antioxidants and boost metabolism. However, these must be consumed in moderation
Benefits of Zero Calorie Food
- Boosts metabolism
- Helps in fat burning
- Helps stabilise blood sugar levels
- Cleanses the liver, making sure it burns more fat
- Lowers cholesterol
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- These food are good for skin and hair
- These food are anti inflammatory and improve circulation
- Enhanced mental abilities