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 10 foods with almost zero calories.

1. Apples

Apples are highly nutritious and one of the most popular fruits in the United States, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service.

One cup (125 grams) of apple slices has 57 calories and almost three grams of dietary fiber.

Since your body has to burn energy to digest apples, the net amount of calories provided by this fruit is probably fewer than reported.

2. Arugula

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

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.

4. Beets

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.

5. Broccoli

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.

6. Broth

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.

7. Brussels Sprouts

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).

8. Cabbage

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).

9. Carrots

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.

10. Cauliflower

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.

Summary

There are many delicious foods that are low in calories.

Most of them are fruits and vegetables that also contain nutrients that benefit your health.

Eating a variety of these foods will provide you with plenty of nutrients for a minimal amount of calories.