August 2018 - Issue # 057 - Zero Calories Foods for Weight Loss

Hi Every Body and Welcome Back

Let's Build a List of Zero (or near zero) Calorie Foods for Weight Loss

It kind of took me by surprise, though I’m not sure why, but I was totally amazed that when I made this list of zero calorie foods or free foods as many dieters call them, the entire list came from the produce section of the grocery store.

It’s so annoying when trying to lose weight all you hear is eat healthy, stock up on fruits and vegetables. We hear that same bit of advice time and time again.

Now as I’m making this list I know why. Because it’s all those fruits and veggies that are in the produce section that make up this long list of zero and low calories foods.

And of course we know that fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with the good stuff our bodies need to maintain health and energy levels.

So whether this list is a disappointment or a welcomed challenge……. here it is.

Apples are the ultimate food and I absolutely love them.

They are so healthy, delicious and easy to eat. They also help with digestion and help remove toxins from the body.

For a quick detox and an easy way to drop a few pounds fast, the 3 day apple diet is truly a gift. Here is the link for the Apple Diet if you want to try it.

Also apples contain pectin which is helpful for strong nails and beautiful hair, but pectin has been known to help curb ones appetite. Apples also offer a ton of fiber which helps eliminate constipation and fiber makes you feel full for longer.

Do I need to say anymore about apples?

Tomatoes – 1 medium raw about 22 calories

We know tomatoes are healthy and they contain lots of vitamin C and antioxidants.

But did you know they also contain lycopene? Let’s just say lycopene is a real friend when it comes to maintaining heart health.

The main two benefits of cucumbers are that they are packed with water and fiber, both are perfect to help curb your appetite and keep your digestive system regular.

Some people may blather on and on about how packed they are with vitamins and nutrients, but in reality the vitamin content is on the low side.

But water and fiber are both amazing for health and weight loss, so that is why cucumbers are almost always found on top of the list when it comes to diet foods.

Summer is the best time to enjoy cucumbers. Small to medium size cucumbers from the farmers market (or your garden) are delicious just washed, quartered and lightly salted.

They are so crunchy and juicy at the same time and make a great side vegetable (especially with sandwiches).

Grapefruits are often used in diets and like other citrus fruits are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

They are juicy, sweet and filling – yum.

Celery – 2 medium stalks about 15 calories

Celery is a great diet food because they are filled with water and are high in fiber which is why they can keep you feeling full.

An added plus is that they are a good source of vitamin K.

Though celery may seem like a dull food try and get creative. Stuff the centers of a stalk with egg or tuna salad or a little peanut butter or perhaps enjoy celery sticks as part of a vegetable tray with (low-calorie) dip.

They are a magnificent addition to any homemade soups and many sauces (like spaghetti sauce).

These vegetables are called cruciferous because their flowers resemble a cross. The list is long so we will just mention a few.

Cruciferous vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, they also provide protein, calcium, iron, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C and folate (a naturally occurring vitamin B).

They promote good hormones and contain sulforaphane (a compound that exhibits anticancer, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties).

Broccoli – 1 cup raw florets about 60 calories

Cauliflower – 1 cup florets about 30 calories

Kale – 1 cup chopped about 30 calories

Cabbage – 1 cup chopped about 22 calories

Spinach – 1 cup chopped about 7 calories

Spinach is loaded and I mean loaded full of good stuff. It offers high levels of antioxidants and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

To name some of them spinach offers vitamins A, C, E, K, manganese, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, folate, folic acid, zinc, niacin and more. The best part about making spinach is that it’s easy and fast to prepare:

Sometimes when I was crunched for time I would fill up a soup bowl full of prewashed spinach leaves and top it off with a little store bought poppy seed dressing. It’s a tasty meal that can be made in seconds when you’re in a bind and it offers all the spinach nutrition listed above.

Cooked spinach isn’t much harder to make. Sautee some diced onions in a little bit of butter and oil until the onions are translucent (just a few minutes).

Now add a bunch of raw spinach to the pot and a little salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally. The spinach literally starts to collapse immediately and cooks in minutes. This too is a fast way to enjoy the veggie.

Beet roots are one of the best foods you can eat to naturally detoxify the liver. That is because they are rich in vitamin A and phytonutrients which are also called betalains.

Not only are betalains responsible for giving beets their beautiful red color but they have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support that helps nourishes and strengthen body function.

They are also a good source of potassium and chlorine which helps clean the liver, kidneys and gallbladder improving their performance.

Three commonly used words to describe the health benefits that this vegetables offers us are antibacterial, antioxidant and cleansing.

Let’s just say that by eating this vegetable it is a good way to do a little internal housekeeping. In central Europe beet juice was used as a blood builder in the treatment of cancer, illness or fatigue.

Zucchinis are water rich and loaded with lots of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, folate, and fiber.

This veggie can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s a heart healthy food too.

Watermelon – 1 cup balls about 46 calories

A food that is actually sweet yet it is considered a diet food. That is a rarity in itself.

Watermelons do have a lot to offer, so if they are in season try to enjoy them as much as you can.

First of all they contain so much water that after eating a slice you can feel quite full. They are also high in fiber and antioxidants.

Because of their high water content, eating watermelon can help flush the kidneys.

It’s safe to say that most fruits and vegetables will help promote health and weightloss.

Even the fruits and vegetables that are on the heavier side of calories are still healthy.

The avocado (medium size is about 116 calories) would be a good example of this. Even though it is a little high in calories it contains beneficial fats that promotes health and helps curb the appetite.

High in Water Content

Hight in Fiber

High in Protein

Here are some other low calorie food suggestions that do not come directly from the produce section.

Soups

Soups are filled with many zero calorie vegetables that pack a nutritious punch.

They are also high in water content and fiber which help prevent constipation.

That is why we love to promote our homemade soups. Please try one of our free recipes. They are all amazing for weight loss.

Legumes such as all kinds of beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas

Eggs

Boiled potatoes

Fish and Other Lean Meats

Oatmeal

Yogurt

Popcorn

Nuts in small quantities

I hope you try and incorporate some of these low and zero calorie foods into your everyday diet.

If you have an opinion or would like to share a story with us we would love to hear from you.

Use our Contact Us page - or our Weight Loss News page (Your Story Counts).

Wishing you health and happiness
Until next time
Catherine :)