Negative Calorie Foods
Have you ever heard the theory that certain foods
have a negative
caloric effect,
meaning they burn more calories during the digestive process than they
contribute? Negative calorie foods are foods that burn more
calories in the process of chewing and digestion when compared to the number of
calories it provides the body. Eating such foods creates a calorie-deficit in
the system, which can aid weight loss. The term ‘negative calories’, however,
can be misleading as it might suggest that such foods have no calories at all,
which is not true.
First
of all, it is important to understand that all foods we eat burn calories.
About 10-15% of calories from the foods we eat are used in the process of
digestion. The body requires energy to breakdown and absorb proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, minerals and other nutrients present in our food, and it
derives this energy from the food we eat. There are certain foods that require
lots of calories (energy) to break down and get absorbed. Some of these foods
contain very few calories and, therefore, force the body to call upon its
energy sources in the form of stored fat and glucose to finish processing the
food. Such foods are called zero or negative calorie foods.
For instance, a
piece of raw cucumber (containing approximately 1 calorie) will need way more calories
to be chewed and digested, resulting in a net loss of calories from our body
fat.
But then, eating
a bowl of cucumber alone will not help in weight loss. You have to eat them instead of potato chips and brownies. In other
words, you can’t eat a chocolate muffin and then try to burn off the calories
by chasing it with a bowl of cucumber. The only way to make this work is to eat
that bowl of cucumber first, leaving very little or no space for that sinful
muffin.
Cut calories with these
foods
Broccoli
Calories:
31 per cup
Broccoli is amazingly low in calories, but it always makes our list of the top superfoods for
a reason. Not only is it packed withfiber,
vitamins, and minerals, it contains powerful antioxidants that may improve your
odds ofbreast cancer survival and
reduce the risk of colon cancer.
The chemical in broccoli responsible for the protective effect is called
sulforaphane, and yes, it gives broccoli its slightly bitter flavor.
Broth
Calories: 10 per cup
Clear beef, chicken, miso, seafood, or vegetable broth is a dieter’s secret
weapon, nourishing and filling your body for almost zero calories, especially
if you toss in leafy greens and lean meat. Broth is the ultimate “high volume
food,” meaning you can eat large amounts for very few calories and still feel
full. It all comes down to calories per bite, or in this case, slurp.
"By choosing foods that have fewer calories per bite, your portion size
grows, but your overall calorie count decreases," explains Barbara Rolls,
PhD, the creator of Volumetrics and author of the new book The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet. "So you end up with a
satisfying amount of food.
Brussel sprouts
Calories: 38 per cup
Brussels sprouts are super-low in calories but loaded with cancer-preventing
phytonutrients andfiber. These veggies, sometimes called little
cabbages, get a bad rap, but they taste great with a sweet or tangy sauce.
Cabbage
Calories: 22 per cup
Crunchy, sweet, and affordable! How can a food that is so humble, with so few
calories, be so incredibly good for you? Cabbage packs vitamins, minerals,
fibers, and several phytonutrients thought to prevent cancer. Glucosinolate is a metabolic detoxifier and
sulphoraphane is a powerful anti-carcinogenic.
Lettuce
Calories: 5 per cup
You can literally eat pounds of any variety of lettuce and never gain an ounce.
Romaine lettuce alone is a great source of B vitamins, folic acid, and
manganese, which helps regulate blood sugar and is essential for proper immune
system function.
Choose other dark green or purple varieties such as green or red leaf for the
most nutrients, and toss with a zesty homemade vinaigrette.
Beets
Calories: 37 per
1/2 cup
Beets are sweet but have very few calories—so
you can have something sweet without the guilt. They also are rich in
cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Beyond their rich, earthy deliciousness, beets
are also a nutritional powerhouse. Rich in iron, fiber, folate, and potassium,
they’re an excellent way to boost the nutrition in a salad or pasta dish. They
get their gorgeous colorfrom
betanin, a potent antioxidant.
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