Low calorie foods can help a person feel full while reducing their daily calorie intake, which can help with weight loss. These can include a number of vegetables, fruits, and condiments.
Incorporating nutritious lower calorie foods into the diet can help reduce the total daily calories a person consumes, which can help them lose weight or maintain a moderate weight.
Below is a list of 50 low calorie foods that may help people who wish to lose weight, plus information on their nutritional value.
Choosing some lower calorie options is an eating plan that may help aid weight loss. However, when following a low calorie meal plan, it is vital that a person
A person can do so with a variety of vegetables. These fresh, low calorie foods add pep and flavor to a salad or meal. Try incorporating more fiber-rich vegetables into cooking to make filling and nutritious meals:
1. Arugula
A cup of arugula, which is 20 grams (g), contains approximately
2. Radishes
Radishes are a good source of potassium, folate, and vitamin C, with one cup of radish slices (116 g) clocking up just
3. Asparagus
Asparagus spears are a good source of vitamins K, A, and E, as well as being rich in iron. One medium spear of asparagus is just 3 calories, and one cup (134 g) comes in at just
4. Green or black olives
Olives are high in calcium, vitamin E, and iron, with a 15-g serving of olives containing just
5. Peppers
An 85-g serving of peppers contains just
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, as well as being high in vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
A 126-g serving contains
7. Celery
A whole stalk of celery contains fewer than
Celery is a good source of dietary fiber and contains plenty of antioxidants, including vitamin C and flavonoids.
8. Iceberg lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is rich in vitamins A and K, as well as folate.
One cup (72 g) of shredded lettuce contains only
9. Fennel
A rich source of vitamin K, fennel is also packed with vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
Half a fennel bulb contains just 36 calories.
10. Watercress
Watercress is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and K. It is also a good source of calcium.
Because of its high water content it is extremely low in calories, with a cup (34 g) of chopped watercress containing just under
11. Cucumber
Cucumber is high in vitamin K. One cup of sliced cucumber (around 120 g) contains just
12. Beets
Beets are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and folate.
One 80 g beet contains approximately
13. Zucchini
Rich in potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin C, a serving of zucchini (95 g) contains just
14. Alfalfa sprouts
These tiny sprouts are rich in rich in vitamin K, zinc, copper, and B vitamins.
One cup (33 g) is
Fruit is a great way to pack in some nutrients on the go.
15. Apples
One small apple contains just
16. Lychees
Lychees are a great source of vitamin C. They are low in calories too, with one lychee clocking in at under
17. Papayas
A 100 g serving provides almost 70% of an adult’s recommended daily vitamin C requirements at just
18. Grapefruits
Grapefruits remain a popular food choice for many people. A slice of grapefruit contains just
19. Strawberries
Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and manganese, as well as fiber and antioxidants.
A single strawberry contains just
20. Raspberries
Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin K, as well as being a great source of fiber.
A cup of raspberries (150 g) is equivalent to
21. Apricots
One raw apricot (around 35 g) has just
22. Cherries
Cherries are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. One cup of cherries (150 g) is just
23. Watermelon
Rich in vitamins A and C, and a good source of vitamin B6, 10 watermelon balls contain just
The following foods are all packed full of vitamins and minerals but contain far fewer calories than many popular side dishes, such as french fries, sliced bread and butter, or roast potatoes.
24. Pumpkin
It may seem like a dense and filling vegetable, but pumpkin has just
It is also a rich source of vitamins A, C, E, and B6.
25. Red cabbage
A cup (70 g) of shredded red cabbage contains just under
Red cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and K.
26. White mushrooms
White mushrooms are a good source of several nutrients, including including zinc, antioxidants, and vitamin D.
Half a cup (35 g) of sliced white mushrooms comes in at just under
27. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a rich source of vitamin C.
One cup (100 g) of cauliflower contains just
28. Okra
Okra is rich in folate, vitamin A, and magnesium, with one cup (100 g) containing just
29. Brussels sprouts
Rich in fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C. A 100-g cup of Brussels sprouts contains just
30. Spinach
Spinach is well known for being a rich source of iron. It also contains vitamin A, manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
One cup (25 g) contains just
31. Chard
A 100-g serving of chard contains just
Chard is highly nutrient-dense, including antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and iron, as well as vitamins C, E, B6, and K.
32. Green beans
Green beans contain many nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin K, and vitamin C. A 100-g cup of green beans contains just
33. Kale
Kale contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C and K, and iron, among many other nutrients. One 25-g cup of kale has just under
34. Carrots
Carrots make the perfect snack. Packed with vitamins C, K, and B vitamins, one small carrot (5.5 inches) is just
35. Jicama (Mexican potato)
This root vegetable has plenty of vitamins and minerals packed in, from vitamin C, fiber, and iron to potassium and manganese. One 100-g serving has just
36. Rutabaga
This root vegetable is an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, as well as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E.
One cup (140 g) contains just over
37. Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent source of fiber and contains many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, E, K, and B vitamins.
Broccoli is also rich in folate, calcium, and magnesium. One 90-g cup of broccoli florets contains just over
38. Onions
A 100-g serving of red or white onions contains between
Onions are a good source of vitamins, including vitamins C and B6.
39. Leeks
A great addition to soups, a standard-sized leek has just
40. Turnip
Turnip is rich in vitamins C and B6, potassium, calcium, and fiber, with one cup (130 g) clocking in at just
Some foods are lower in calories than people may think and can add a lot of flavor to a dish. This can help reduce the temptation to add calorific condiments, oils, and sauces for flavor.
41. Marmite
This is one of the least calorific spreads. Marmite has been popular in the United Kingdom for a long time and is gaining popularity in the United States in recent years.
This flavorful, savory yeast extract spread contains just
42. Vegetable broth
Surprisingly, a bowl of vegetable broth or bouillon contains just
There is not a great deal of nutritional value in broth, but it can help to fill a person up or form the base of a nutritious vegetable soup.
43. Hot sauce
Hot sauces, such as Tabasco, can add a lot of flavor to dishes. But they are light on calories, with one teaspoon containing just
44. Miso broth
Miso broth clocks in at just
45. Garlic
Famous for its strong and pungent flavor, garlic is less well known for being low calorie.
One garlic clove contains just under
46. Mustard
Another flavor favorite for salad dressings, mustard has just
47. Unsweetened cocoa powder
It may come as a surprise to learn that unsweetened cocoa powder has just
48. Lemons and limes
These citrus fruits make a great vitamin C-rich alternative to salad dressing. One fluid ounce (fl oz) of lemon or lime juice has just
Many drinks, such as fruit juices, are much more caloric than people may realize. Anyone trying to lose weight should pay attention to the calories in the liquids they drink.
49. Coffee
50. Tea
There are many nutritious foods that offer plenty of vitamins and minerals, many of which are low in calories.
People who are trying to lose weight may find it beneficial to swap some higher calorie snacks and foods for a low calorie, nutrient-rich alternative.