38 Delicious Foods That Contain Almost Zero Calories

Calories are important. Your body needs them to maintain various organ functions and keep you active. But too much is not something you want. Eating low calorie food is associated with weight control, better mood and improved overall health.

But what are these foods? Well, they’re usually vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber and water content. On average every adult should have at least 1200 calories every day. Eating low calorie food meets this caloric goal and makes you feel fuller for longer,

which stops you from adding extra calories.

Celery?

Broccoli?

Apples?

Apple Low in calories and high in fiber, apples are 

one of the most highly nutritious fruits. Eating them as a healthy snack will help with weight loss. The amount of calories present is so low that it gets mostly burned up during digestion.

Broccoli Broccoli is known as a superfood because it’s 

dense with nutrients. One cup contains just 31 calories and a host of other health benefits. Along with antioxidants that detoxify the body, they are also high in fiber that slows down the release of glucose in the bloodstream.

Chia Seeds Sprinkling just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds 

will add 60 calories and will keep you full for a long time. It enables tissue growth and repair, improves skin and hair and even lowers the risk of developing dementia, depression or arthritis.

Watercress Watercress is naturally low in calories and 

fat free. Packed with the goodness of essential vitamins, phytochemicals and minerals, they lower the risk of potentially chronic diseases by neutralizing toxic free radicals.

Celery Looking for a healthier low calorie snack? 

Celery is perfect!

The secret is the high water content that makes it naturally low in calories. 

One cup of it contains almost 18 calories, which isn’t a lot.

Cabbage Cabbage is another low calorie vegetable that 

ranks high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Easy to prepare, one cooked cup contains 33 calories and virtually no fat. It also aids in weight loss, promotes glowing skin and gives the immune system a boost!

Brussel sprouts Eating high fiber, low calorie food like brussel 

sprouts not only keeps your blood sugar in check but also makes your weight loss dreams come true. Densely packed with nutrients eating them regularly keeps bones healthy and promotes blood clotting, too.

Cauliflower If you are thinking about losing weight then 

this cruciferous vegetable should not be ignored. With one cup of cauliflower containing about 25 calories, they can be eaten worry free without adding on those extra pounds.

Carrots A cup of raw carrot sticks have around 50 

calories which makes for just 3% of the total calorie intake for the day. The goodness of natural compounds cuts off the growth of new fat cells that stops obesity.

Cucumber Cucumbers are an amazing source of antioxidants 

and anti inflammatory compounds.

Did you know that the peel and seeds are the most nutrient dense parts? 

Along with less calories they also contain zero fat, carbs, sodium and cholesterol.

Fennel Known for its licorice-like flavor, fennel 

has several health benefits, one of them being protecting bone health. The dietary fiber works by directly making you feel full and stops you from binging. It is a rich source of vitamin B6 that also increases iron absorption and promotes a healthy digestive tract.

Garlic Garlic has plant compounds with potent medicinal 

properties and close to 0 calories. It is nutrient rich with essential elements like vitamin C, B6, manganese and fiber. The active ingredients help in combating flu, the common cold and irregular blood pressure and more.

Leaf Lettuce Lettuce comes in a variety of types. 

Low in calories and high in essential minerals this simple common leafy vegetable protects the heart and keeps you properly hydrated. Packed with vitamin A, K and brimming with antioxidants it’s also a weight loss friendly vegetable.

Arugula Arugula contains some of the most important 

nutrients essential for maintaining bone health, protecting heart health and reducing the risk of developing some cancers. One cup of it contains just 5 calories and minimal fat. Being a green veggie it has folate, potassium and magnesium.

Soup You can make soup out of virtually anything. 

It’s literally liquid mixes of vegetables, condiments and garnishes. Eating it leaves you feeling full for a long time. It has all the nutritional goodness minus the calories and fat which also helps you achieve weight loss.

Beets Beetroots have an impressive nutrition profile. 

Low in calories, they contain a good amount of essential vitamins and minerals. The high nitrate content in them brings down high blood pressure. Eating it 2 to 3 hours prior to a sporting event or training session improves athletic performance. Asparagus These green, spear-like sticks have folate, vitamin C, K and potassium. Half a cup contains just 13 calories. Did you know that it has also been found to alleviate hangovers?

Chard What makes chard super nutritious is the presence 

of antioxidants, fiber and nutrients. Not to mention zero calories, fat or carbs. Commonly referred to as ‘swiss chard’, it prevents the development of kidney stones, stops diabetes and protects heart health.

Grapefruit The health benefits of grapefruit can go on 

and on. Rich with nutrients and containing zero calories it is one of the lowest calorie containing fruit. Offering a decent amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals, they give a boost to the immune system, control appetite, promote weight loss and manage diabetes.

Kale Health benefits of kale include managing high 

blood pressure, improving digestion and protecting against the development of diabetes. Containing a wide range of nutrients like vitamin C, K, antioxidants and zero calories, kale prevents the development of various diseases. Kale helps in cleansing the kidneys. Looking for more kidney friendly foods?

Check out these 13 foods that make the kidneys healthy.

Now back to nutritious foods that are low in calories.

Lemon Lemons are refreshing! 

With a medium sized lemon containing just 20 calories, the tart taste clearly represents the presence of vitamin C. Kick starting your day with lemon water increases energy levels and boosts digestion.

It is also a great way of losing weight because of its ability to promote calorie burning.

Onion Onions are rich in fiber, folic acid and essential 

vitamins while ranking low in caloric content. They have no sodium, fat or cholesterol and can be eaten raw or cooked. Onions are anti-inflammatory in nature, they protect heart health and even work as a good immune booster.

Pepper Low in calories and dense in nutrients, peppers 

are excellent sources of potassium, fiber, vitamins and folic acid. Because of their low caloric value they can be found in several weight loss recipes, especially salads. They contain phosphorus, antioxidants and are available in a variety of types.

Papaya Papaya contains some medicinal properties 

that have a therapeutic effect. One small papaya has 59 calories and will leave you feeling full. It is a great option for a mid morning, healthy snack. It has powerful antioxidants, some anticancer properties and even protects the skin from potential damage.

Radish With virtually no fat, sugar or carbs, radishes 

are also low in calories. This zingy, crunchy, delicious root vegetable is also a great source of vitamin C. Eating

just one cup of it everyday will provide antioxidants that have anti diabetic properties, lowers 

blood sugar levels and even reduces the risk of chronic disease.

Spinach No healthy diet is complete without spinach. 

Other than being low in calories, these healthful leafy greens contain various essential vitamins and folate. With just 7 calories in one cup, this superfood is responsible for keeping the skin glowing and body relaxed while also promoting weight loss.

Strawberry Being an amazing source of potassium and vitamins 

is just not enough for strawberries. They are also sodium free, fat free and cholesterol free while being low in calories. A must add for your weight loss diet, this delicious, tangy fruit improves skin health and also boosts immunity.

Snap peas With one cup of snap peas containing just 

40 calories, this non starchy vegetable deserves more attention. This green vegetable is also packed with all sorts of vitamins, beta carotene and potassium. They are known for weight management, disease prevention and improving heart health.

Tomato It's good to know that this versatile vegetable 

contains minimal calories. One medium sized tomato has just 16. Enriched with the goodness of vitamin C, fiber and a special compound called lycopene they are excellent for improving eyesight, digestion and making bones stronger.

Watermelon Watermelon is a great hydrating fruit containing 

over 95% water. With around 100 grams containing 30 calories, eating this fruit as a snack will keep you away from unhealthy food. Did you know that watermelon is a great source for amino acids that burn fat?

Zucchini Eating zucchini regularly is a great way of 

shedding some extra pounds. Available in a variety of colors from green to yellow, these power packed vegetables are nutritionally dense. Used to treat colds and aches, zucchini is rich in water and low in calories making it an ideal choice for dieters.

Herbs Herbs like basil, cress and dill along with 

different types of salt have minimal or no calories. They offer a pleasant fragrance and a delicious taste that brings a dish together. Choosing herbs and spices to amp up the taste of an otherwise bland, flavorless dish is a great way to eat healthy.

Chillies With zero calories, chillies have the capacity

to speed up metabolism by 50%. 

Loaded with antioxidants, green chillies can get rid of free radicals. They also reduce blood cholesterol, prevent the formation of blood clots and keep the cardiovascular system healthy.

Mushroom This earthy tasting vegetable is often used 

as a substitute for meat by vegetarians. Along with magnesium, zinc, minerals and copper they contain just 15 calories in one diced cup. They’re also loaded with riboflavin, a special compound responsible for healthy blood cell count.

Ginger Ginger plays a major role in traditional medicine 

to beat the cold, flu, joint pain and muscle cramps. 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger contains just 5 calories and provides relief from inflammation, cures upset stomach and lowers blood sugar.

Jicama Similar to a potato or a turnip, jicama is 

low in calories, sugar and fat while being high in fiber. For people suffering from diabetes jicama can be a great substitute for potatoes or other high starch and carb foods. It is a natural pre biotic, rich source of antioxidants that promotes a balanced blood glucose level.

Clementine This hybrid of mandarin and sweet orange tastes 

a bit sweeter than other citrus fruit.

Clementines are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants and a variety of minerals. 

Most of the calories in this fruit come from the sugar content along with a tiny amount of protein.

Oatmeal A cup of oatmeal cooked in water has just 

150 calories. To make it more filling, stir in half a cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt. This way you’ll add 11g protein—but just 60 extra calories. You'll never get bored with oatmeal if you mix things up with different ingredients like almond butter, chia seeds or berries.

Don’t get the wrong idea.

Calories are important for the body to function smoothly. 

The problem begins when you eat too many calories and don’t burn them off. Because most food and drink contains gross amounts of calories, it is important to cut back on unhealthy stuff and choose low calorie foods.