Foods That Contain Almost Zero Calories
Calories provide the energy that your body needs to function and stay alive.
While there is no evidence to support that negative-calorie foods burn more calories than they provide, foods that are already low in calories may actually provide fewer calories than expected. This is because your body uses energy to digest them.
If you’re trying to decrease your total calorie intake, eating more low-calorie foods, such as certain fruits and vegetables, is an easy way to achieve that goal.
Here are 19 foods with almost zero calories.
Apples are highly nutritious and one of the most popular fruits in the United States, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service (1).
One cup (125 grams) of apple slices has 57 calories and almost three grams of dietary fiber (2).
Since your body has to burn energy to digest apples, the net amount of calories provided by this fruit is probably fewer than reported.
Arugula is a dark, leafy green with a peppery flavor.
It’s commonly used in salads, is rich in vitamin K and also contains folate, calcium and potassium.
One-half cup (10 grams) of arugula has only three calories (3).
Asparagus is a flowering vegetable that comes in green, white and purple varieties.
All types of asparagus are healthy, but purple asparagus has compounds called anthocyanins that may help prevent heart disease (
One cup (134 grams) of asparagus has only 27 calories and is rich in vitamin K and folate, providing 70% and 17% of the DVs, respectively (5).
Beets are root vegetables that typically have a deep-red or purple color. One of the most researched benefits of beets is their potential to lower blood pressure (
Beets contain only 59 calories per cup (136 grams) and 13% of the DV for potassium (7).
Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. It’s a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables and may help fight cancer (
One cup (91 grams) of broccoli has only 31 calories and over 100% of the amount of vitamin C that most people need per day (9).
There are many varieties of broth, including chicken, beef and vegetable. It can be eaten alone or used as a base for soups and stews.
Depending on the type of broth, one cup — or about 240 ml — usually contains 7–12 calories (10, 11, 12).
Brussels sprouts are highly nutritious vegetables. They resemble mini cabbages and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Research shows that eating Brussels sprouts may protect against DNA damage due to their high vitamin C content (
These nutritional powerhouses only have 38 calories per cup (88 grams) (14).
Cabbage is a vegetable with green or purple leaves. It’s a common ingredient in slaws and salads. Fermented cabbage is known as sauerkraut.
It’s very low in calories and contains only 22 calories per cup (89 grams) (15).
Carrots are very popular vegetables. They’re usually thin and orange, but can also be red, yellow, purple or white.
Most people associate good eyesight with eating carrots since they’re rich in beta-carotene, which can be converted to vitamin A. Getting enough vitamin A is necessary for proper vision.
A one-cup serving (128 grams) of carrots has only 53 calories and over 400% of the DV for vitamin A (16).
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.
One cup (100 grams) of cauliflower has 25 calories and only five grams of carbs (17).
Celery is one of the most well-known, low-calorie foods.
Its long, green stalks contain insoluble fiber that may go undigested through your body, thus contributing no calories.
Celery also has a high water content, making it naturally low in calories. There are only 18 calories in one cup (110 grams) of chopped celery (18).
Chard is a leafy green that comes in several varieties. It’s extremely high in vitamin K, a nutrient that helps with proper blood clotting.
One cup (36 grams) of chard has only 7 calories and contains 374% of the DV for vitamin K (19).
Clementines resemble mini oranges. They’re a common snack in the United States and are known for their high vitamin C content.
One fruit (74 grams) packs 60% of the DV for vitamin C and only 35 calories (20).
Cucumbers are a refreshing vegetable commonly found in salads. They’re also used to flavor water along with fruits and herbs.
Since cucumbers are mostly water, they’re very low in calories — one-half cup (52 grams) only has 8 (21).
Fennel is a bulbous vegetable with a faint licorice taste. Dried fennel seeds are used to add an anise flavor to dishes.
Fennel can be enjoyed raw, roasted or braised. There are 27 calories in one cup (87 grams) of raw fennel (22).
Garlic has a strong smell and taste and is used widely in cooking to add flavor to dishes.
Garlic has been used for centuries as a remedy for various illnesses. Research suggests that it may decrease blood pressure and fight infections or even cancer (23).
One clove (3 grams) of garlic has only 5 calories (24).
Grapefruits are one of the most delicious and nutritious citrus fruits. They can be enjoyed on their own or on top of yogurt, salad or even fish.
Certain compounds in grapefruit may decrease cholesterol levels and increase metabolism (25).
There are 52 calories in half a grapefruit (123 grams) (26).
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 lettuces, iceberg lettuce is rich in vitamin K, vitamin A and folate.
One cup (72 grams) of iceberg lettuce has only 10 calories (27).
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