Image: Shutterstock
Even after clicking on the link are you still wondering about the zero in the headline? Yes, perhaps you heard right that no food in the world has zero calories, except water! But, there is a unique aspect to these foods – they are all extremely low on calories and these too get used up quickly as energy as we eat them. It therefore leads to burning calories and induces weight loss.
These zero-calorie foods are the perfect foods becoming increasingly popular with those who are trying to lose weight while being on a calorie deficit. Health expert and wellness advocate Eshanka Wahi says that tracking down your calories for weight loss is effective but takes a lot of hard work and discipline. “In addition to being aware of your targeted daily calorie goal, you’ll also need to be aware of the calories you burn during your workout and through other activities throughout the day. Knowing what is the right diet or food that one should consume when counting calories completely depends on your bio-individuality. But as a head start, here are some nutrient-dense foods that you can easily incorporate in your diet, when trying to achieve a calorie deficit,” she adds.
Wahi offers this list of foods are easy to source and are neither rare nor too expensive. Moreover, they offer more benefits to you than just weight loss.
1. Cucumber
Image: Shutterstock
With less than 16 calories per serving (1 cup chopped), making it an extremely low-calorie food. Cucumber is very easy to incorporate in salads, bowls or eaten just by itself. It is extremely hydrating with 95 per cent water content.
2. Broccoli
Image: Shutterstock
High nutritional value and low-calorie content’s second name is broccoli. Half a cup of this green has only 15 calories. This high-powered cancer-killing veggie has more benefits than just its low calories. Apart from promoting weight loss, broccoli is a highly fibrous food that helps in keeping your digestive system in check and also boosts your immune system.
3. Cabbage
Image: Shutterstock
Cabbage is commonly known as a food that prevents heart diseases and cancer. But what most people don’t know is that cabbage also encourages weight loss as it also comes amongst the food that carries very few calories. Half a cup of cabbage consists of merely 11 calories. One of the best ways of staying hydrated, feeling satiated, and relishing a nutrient-dense meal is by stirring up a quick cabbage soup.
4. Zucchini
Image: Shutterstock
Zucchini is packed with many essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has a high fibre content and a calorie count of less than 10 calories in half a cup. Its fibre content plays a vital role in digestion and limits the likelihood of suffering from a variety of GI issues.
5. Tomato
Image: Shutterstock
A fruit, though used as a vegetable, has less than 13 calories in half a cup. The many health benefits of tomatoes make them a complete food. Besides the weight loss advantage, tomatoes keep heart diseases at bay and protect you against many diseases.
6. Bell Peppers
Image: Shutterstock
Bell peppers contain ample vitamins and antioxidants that help fight diseases and also help in shedding a few kilos. With a high amounts of vitamins such as C, B6, K1, A, E, this superfood has several health benefits. It improves eye health and reduces risk of several chronic diseases. With less than 15 calories in every half cup, it promotes weight loss while being extremely nutritious.
7. Water
Image: Shutterstock
Calories per serving: zero. It is the only true zero-calorie food, water is extremely essential for weight loss. Hydration stimulates better sleep, which helps curb cravings and keeps your body satiated. This is the most important incorporation in your daily diet.
Knowing that calories can be exciting and delicious, it is extremely important to keep a well-balanced diet, which has good sources of energy from fats and carbs, a high amount of fibre, and ample protein for cell growth to improve the muscle and bone health.
Also read: Top 9 Vegetarian Foods For A High Protein Diet
