April 28, 2021 · Written by Foodtolive Team

Zero-Calories Food

Zero-Calories Food

It is safe to say that everyone dreams about being able to eat whatever they want and not gain any weight. Thus, today, food with zero calories is in high demand. What exactly is zero-calorie food and where can we find it? This is perhaps the trickiest question for those who are on a weight-loss mission.

Zero-calories food is a category of foods whose content is less than 60 calories; it also contains little sugar and a lot of fiber. Today’s market offers a variety of healthy goods allowing us to digest more energy than calories. In other words, 0 calorie food as a notion is based on the idea that the calorie value of a product consumed, requires three times more energy to be digested. So in essence, gained calories are canceled out.

The list of zero-calorie food is very long but let’s focus on the most popular ones:

  1. Apples
  2. Papaya
  3. Strawberries
  4. Broccoli
  5. Celery
  6. Cucumbers
  7. Cauliflower
  8. Beetroot
  9. Onion
  10. Lemons

Apples

This fruit is probably the most affordable of all! Apples contain up to 80% water, the remaining 20% are the following nutrients: fiber, organic acids, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, as well as vitamins A, B1, B3, PP, C and others. The product is almost fat-free, but contains carbohydrates, which allow us to maintain a feeling of satiety.

Apples

 

Papaya

Very high in vitamin A and a good source of potassium. 100 grams of papaya has only 43 calories. [1] A large proportion of the pulp is made up of water, which makes the fruit hydrating as well as filling. It is a wonderful substitution for high calorie sweets, as ripened papaya is naturally sweet.

Papaya

 

Strawberries

A valuable source of potassium and fiber, fat-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free. Just imagine – there are only 33 calories in 100 grams of the strawberries. [2]

Strawberries

 

Broccoli

The product has a low-calorie content – 100 grams contains about 35 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of protein. Note that broccoli is rich in manganese and sodium; phosphorus and calcium; magnesium and selenium; iron, zinc and copper; amino acids, Vitamins C, К; В9 і В6; А. Moreover, broccoli has a beneficial effect on vision; it strengthens the liver; and, positively affects blood vessels and heart.

Broccoli

 

Celery

This food item contains approximately 16 calories per 100 grams. To digest such a meager amount of calories, the body has to expend much more energy than it receives from the product. In addition to the low-calorie content, celery also contains many nutrients such as oxalic acid, magnesium, calcium, potassium and valuable vitamins.

Celery

Cucumber

Cucumber mostly consists of water. This makes it an indispensable product in the diet of those who are trying to lose weight. Regular consumption of cucumbers improves the digestibility. Calorie content equals approximately 15 calories per 1 cucumber.

Cucumber

 

Cauliflower

Due to the fine cellular structure of cauliflower, it is absorbed by the body better than other types of cabbage. Caloric content of cauliflower is only 25 calories per 100 grams of fresh product. In 100 grams of boiled cauliflower we can find 179 calories. Cauliflower contains mineral salts, proteins, carbohydrates, valuable amino acids (arginine, lysine) and a huge amount of vitamins C, B1, B6, B2, PP, A, N. The iron content is two times more in cauliflower than in green peas and three times more than eggplants.

Cauliflower

 

Beetroot

The low-calorie content of beets makes them a useful dietary product. Beets are rich in dietary fiber, which helps digestion, binds and removes harmful toxins, fluids, as well as high cholesterol. 100 grams of beetroot equals 43 calories.

Beetroot

Onion

The level of calories per 100 grams of onion is 40 calories. Health benefits of onions are enormous, they contain; various vitamins, essential oils, manganese and copper, calcium, zinc, iron, fluorine, iodine. This product is always added to dishes as it fills the meal up with a unique taste. Onions have antibacterial and antifungal effects which positively impacts our respiratory system, heart, blood pressure and digestion, and are also considered as aphrodisiac*.

* aphrodisiac food – foods or other substances that supposedly increase libido, potency and sexual satisfaction.

Onions

Lemons

This citrus fruit is considered one of the most useful fruits. It is rich in minerals and vitamins, primarily in Vitamin C. Lemon is a lowest-calorie product ever possible and is an essential ingredient in most diets, as it speeds up metabolism. Regular consumption of this fruit strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of infectious diseases. The approximate calorie content is up to 29 calories per 100 grams.

Lemons

 

Here are some useful recipe ideas of low-calorie meals:

Apple, Carrot & Cabbage Chopped Salad

Chop 2 apples, one carrot and 300g of fresh white cabbage, and mix it in a salad bowl. Whisk oil, orange juice, vinegar, salt, cinnamon and cumin in the same bowl. You may also add pepper and salt to taste.

A Must-Try Broccoli Soup

You will need 200g potatoes, 200g broccoli, 1 small carrot, and 1 tbsp of heavy cream. Peel potatoes and a carrot after washing. Chop rough parts of broccoli stem. Pour water into a pan, bring to a boil, add a little salt. Put vegetables in boiling water, boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth. Season with creams and serve.

Zero-Calories Food

Best Beetroot Smoothie

Take 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or any alternative milk
1 cup of mixed frozen blueberries
1 small beet peeled and diced (about 8 ounces)
1/4 cup of frozen pineapple
1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt use non-dairy yogurt to make vegan
1-2 teaspoons honey (optional) [3]
Put the almond milk, blueberries, beet, pineapple, and Greek yogurt in a blender and mix until smooth. Add honey if you want it to taste sweeter.

Unique Celery Sauce with Parsley, Garlic & Parmesan

All you need is just to chop celery stems and parsley. Place 2 stalks of celery, a bunch of parsley, half a glass of parmesan, 2 cloves of garlic; 2 tbsp of pine nuts, half a glass of olive oil into a bowl and blend the ingredients. Add salt if needed. This sauce is a wonderful combo with meat, fish and salads.

To sum up, low-calories food diets is a widely popular nowadays. In fact, the existing of food with zero calories has always been a controversial topic, yet the nutritional value of some products do confirm its existence. The greatest advantage of low-calorie food is the fact that its components contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, such foods are not harmful to our bodies, and are extremely helpful when it comes to weight loss.

A friendly reminder: you don’t have to eat less to lose weight, you have to eat right.

Sources

  1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zero-calorie-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_25

  2. https://www.insider.com/low-calorie-foods-to-eat-not-gain-weight-2017-4#strawberries-are-easy-on-your-heart-and-a-great-source-of-fiber-13

  3. https://www.wellplated.com/beet-smoothie/