Have you ever heard the declare that there is meals with zero energy? And even higher, some meals make you lose extra energy than you eat?
Whereas neither of those is precisely true, there are some meals on the market that are fairly near zero energy! We now have 15 zero-calorie meals which might be so low in energy you need not even fear about counting them! In different phrases, be at liberty to eat as a lot as you need!
What Is A Zero-Calorie Meals?
A zero-calorie meals is principally what it feels like – a calorie-free meals! A zero-calorie meals is a meals with both no energy or negligible energy so low that you simply need not fear about counting them.
So, do they exist? Whereas there isn’t a such factor as zero-calorie meals, there are some zero-calorie liquids and meals with very low energy!
Whereas these meals do have energy, you may principally eat as a lot as you need as you may turn into full lengthy earlier than you may eat sufficient to achieve weight! These can play an intricate function in your whole weight reduction program.
Are There Unfavourable-Calorie Meals?
One widespread fable floating across the web is that negative-calorie meals exist —that’s, meals that make you burn energy!
The commonest instance folks give is usually celery. Now, celery is extraordinarily low in energy, with a big stalk containing simply 9 energy.
Individuals will recommend that whereas it has such few energy, it really takes a little bit of vitality to chew and eat it. Because of this, the vitality wanted to chew and digest the calorie is bigger than the energy consumed.
It sounds believable and really is not as loopy because it sounds.
Nevertheless, whereas chewing does require vitality, it isn’t going to burn an additional 6-10 energy.
Does Meals Burn Energy?
One other side of that is the existence of what is often known as the thermic impact of meals, or TEF.
TEF is the quantity of meals our our bodies burn to digest, course of, and expel a sure meals.¹
You see, our physique’s programs require vitality to carry out. This contains issues like;
Digestions
Transportation of vitamins
Utilization of these vitamins
All the processes that happen as a result of meals
Expulsion of the waste
This means that there is fact to the declare that your physique burns energy simply by consuming meals – simply to not the extent it burns greater than you eat, as that will defeat the aim of consuming.
Nevertheless, not all meals have the identical TEF. Whereas totally different sources can differ, this is an estimate;
Fats: 1%
Carbs: 5-10%
Protein: 20-30%
Yep, protein has a really excessive TEF of 20-30%! This is without doubt one of the causes high-protein diets are so profitable with weight reduction.¹
Listing Of The High 15 Zero-Calorie Snacks
Now, let’s undergo the highest zero-calorie meals you may add to your weight-reduction plan to assist mitigate starvation whereas offering important vitamins.²
1. Espresso (0 Energy)
We all know that espresso is not a meals, however it’s one of many few merchandise we eat that has zero energy – not less than if you happen to drink black espresso.
In actual fact, if there’s a negative-calorie meals, espresso could be it! As we all know, espresso incorporates caffeine, which will increase vitality and even our metabolism.³
2. Tea (0 Energy)
Once more, tea will not be a meals, however the identical ideas that apply to espresso additionally apply to tea. Tea is a zero-calorie drink that you may should chill out and even curb your urge for food.
3. Celery (1 Medium Stalk – 6 Energy)
Celery is the meals that began this entire “unfavorable calorie” fable. These are a few of the lowest-calorie meals you may eat.
You would eat it as is or season it. In case you did wish to use a condiment, the lowest-calorie alternative could be a pleasant balsamic vinegar.
4. Watercress (100g – 11 Energy)
Watercress is a leafy inexperienced vegetable rising in water or moist soil. It has a peppery, barely spicy taste and is usually utilized in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish.
It is wealthy in vitamins reminiscent of;
Vitamin C
Vitamin Ok
Calcium
Iron
Antioxidants
It’s low in energy, making it a wholesome addition to varied dishes. Because of its excessive nutrient content material, watercress is usually thought-about a superfood with potential well being advantages, together with supporting immune operate and bettering bone well being.
5. Cucumber ( 100g – 15 Energy)
Cucumber is one other extraordinarily low-calorie vegetable. One purpose for this is that it is composed of about 95% water! Not solely is it low in energy, however it’s additionally an excellent hydration meals!
Cucumbers are sometimes eaten uncooked in;
Nutritionally, cucumbers are a very good supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with;
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin C
Potassium
Fiber
Once more, one thing easy like a little bit of balsamic vinegar could make this the last word low-calorie snack.
6. Lemon/Lime (1 Fruit 17-20 Energy)
Whereas technically totally different citrus fruits – lemons and limes are each identified for his or her robust, tart, and tangy taste, each are sometimes used to taste tea or water.
Whereas they’ve slight variations in style, each are wealthy in Vitamin C and provide numerous well being advantages.
Each are excessive in vitamin C and can be utilized as a low-calorie methodology to extend the flavour of meals reminiscent of;
7. Zucchini (100g – 19 Energy)
Zucchini is a summer time squash identified for its tender, tender meat. Zucchini could be eaten uncooked in a wide range of codecs, reminiscent of;
Salads
Sautéed(our favourite!)
Stir-Fry
Grilled
Roasted
Baked
Just like cucumbers, they’ve very excessive water content material, giving them very low energy. It delivers a ton of vitamins reminiscent of;
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Potassium
Magnesium
Fiber
Zucchini is usually favored in low-calorie diets as a result of it could possibly add quantity and vitamins to meals with out considerably rising calorie consumption.
8. Tomatoes (100g – 20 Energy)
Tomatoes are a type of meals which might be handled like greens however are literally fruits. Regardless, they’re one of many tastiest, zero-calorie meals available on the market.
Like most of the different meals on this record, tomatoes are a wonderful supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with;
Vitamin C
Vitamin Ok
Potassium
Folate
Additionally they comprise lycopene, a strong antioxidant linked to a number of well being advantages, together with lowered danger of coronary heart illness and sure kinds of most cancers.
We love tomatoes and use them in lots of dishes. One methodology is to make use of them with different flavorful greens, reminiscent of onions and peppers, to taste dishes reminiscent of hen naturally.
9. Asparagus (100g – 20 Energy)
Asparagus is without doubt one of the finest greens to grill! This inexperienced stalk vegetable has a tinder texture when cooked and delivers a pleasant taste.
It delivers a ton of vitamins, together with;
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin C
Folate
Potassium
Iron
Fiber
As we talked about, we love grilling these, however you too can roast, steam, bake, and even pan-fry them. We generally pair these with a pleasant steak!
10. Spinach (100g – 23 Energy)
Everybody is aware of spinach from Popeye! Whereas it will not blow up your muscle mass, spinach is a low-calorie meals.
It additionally packs a ton of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, together with;
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Folate
Iron
Calcium
Potassium
Antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin)
One among our favourite spinach dishes is just pan-frying it with garlic.
11. Cabbage ( 100g – 24 Energy)
We by no means received into cabbage till we had it cooked with garlic and fish sauce (garlic makes every part higher)
Cabbage is often in comparison with lettuce, however the two are very totally different greens. They really come from totally different households, and cabbage is extra nutritious.
In actual fact, cabbage belongs to the Brassica household, together with broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. It has a gentle, barely peppery taste and is usually utilized in salads, slaws, soups, and as a aspect dish.
Nutritionally, cabbage is low in energy is wealthy in:
Vitamin C
Vitamin Ok
Fiber
Folate
Antioxidants (flavonoids, glucosinolates)
Cabbage could be eaten uncooked, fermented (as in sauerkraut), or cooked in a wide range of methods. Its excessive fiber content material helps digestive well being, and its nutrient density makes it an excellent addition to a nutritious diet.
12. Broccoli (100g – 25 Energy)
Through the years, broccoli has gotten a nasty rap as a bland meals that’s at all times served with “dry hen breast.” When ready proper, it is scrumptious!
Broccoli may be very low in energy and contains the identical group of nutritional vitamins as different greens, together with;
Vitamin C
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin A
Folate
Potassium
Fiber
Antioxidants
Broccoli is so nutritious that many individuals give it the title as being a superfood and declare it could possibly enhance;
Immune operate
Coronary heart well being
Digestive Well being
Lower continual illnesses
It may be eaten uncooked, steamed, roasted, or sautéed for various flavors and textures. Once more, garlic is one other superior addition.
13. Arugula (100g – 25 Energy)
Arugula is one other leafy inexperienced vegetable that has numerous vitamin and some energy. Most individuals typically report it has a definite peppery and bitter taste.
Nutritionally, it is full of;
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Folate
Calcium
Potassium
Antioxidants and Phytochemicals (glucosinolates)
It’s usually utilized in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish, and it pairs nicely with different greens or roasted greens. Because of its excessive dietary content material, we additionally wish to put it in our protein smoothies.
14. Watermelon (100g – 30 Energy)
Like cucumbers and zucchini, watermelon is largely composed of water, as its title implies. In actual fact, it is about 92% water, which makes it a wonderful hydrating meals after your exercise!
Just like its vegetable counterparts, watermelon packs a ton of vitamin, together with;
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Potassium
Magnesium
Antioxidants
You may eat watermelon any method you need, however the commonest methodology is “as-is”—simply consuming a pleasant slice! Different choices might be to make use of it in a yogurt bowl or perhaps a smoothie.
15. Alfalfa Sprouts ( 100g – 30 Energy)
Alfalfa sprouts are small, delicate, and mildly nutty. They arrive from the alfalfa plant, which is really a legume.
Alfalfa sprouts are generally utilized in sandwiches, salads, wraps, and garnishes. You not often see these eaten by themselves.
Nutritionally, they ship;
Vitamin Ok
Vitamin C
Folate
Fiber
Manganese
Antioxidants
Phytonutrients
Zero-Calorie Meals For Weight Loss
We simply gave you a ton of zero-calorie meals so as to add to your weight-reduction plan. Whereas a few of these may technically be eaten solo, most of them aren’t precisely tasty as-is. One option to make the most of these is so as to add them to your meals to extend the majority with out rising the energy.
For instance, rising the cabbage in a dish or including arugula to a protein shake. You may finally add as a lot as you need! This does not imply their restricted energy do not depend.
Nevertheless, as they’re so low, their impact in your starvation will overpower your energy – they are going to fill you up earlier than you eat too many energy! To your subsequent meal, pile up on these zero-calorie meals, and your general caloric consumption will virtually positively lower!
Be sure you try another nice concepts for different low-calorie snacks!
References
Crovetti, R., Porrini, M., Santangelo, A. et al. The affect of thermic impact of meals on satiety. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 482–488 (1998).
“DEFAULT FoodData Central.” Usda.gov, 2025, fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Sirotkin, A V, and A Kolesárová. “The anti-obesity and health-promoting results of tea and low.” Physiological analysis vol. 70,2 (2021): 161-168. doi:10.33549/physiolres.934674
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