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By referring to the term “negative calories foods” in this article, it may lead to confusion.The energy used to digest food is known as the thermic effect or thermogenesis . This thermic effect varies according to the food.The negative calorie effect refers to the theory that there are foods that contain very few calories in relation to the amount you eat. This means that when trying to digest and metabolize them, ultimately your body spends even more calories than those consumed with food.
In other words, at the end of the calorie count consumed, plus the calories lost to metabolize these foods, the result is negative. In short, you spent more calories than you consumed. The more you eat these foods, the more you lose weight.
Studies in this regard are neither clear nor consistent. Therefore, today we can say that there is no scientific evidence to confirm the presence of negative calorie foods.However, if the negative calorie food theory was false, it would have had at least the merit of helping to consume fewer calories and eat healthier foods.
In this regard, making a list of negative calorie foods can be a good start to lose weight effectively and permanently (without gaining weight), provided you integrate them into a balanced diet.When it comes to weight loss and healthy living, what we consume is our first line of defense. Not every food is created the same just like every calorie consumed is not burned the same by your body.
Negative Calorie Foods List
Despite the fact that negative calorie foods are not supported by science, these foods can improve your body’s metabolic rate and help you lose weight. Many are high in water content and are fantastic sources of fiber. Due to being high in fiber, this causes your metabolism to continue to work overtime and thus giving you an edge on weight loss. Here are some choices to help you get ahead on your health.
Lettuce and leafy greens
Lettuce and leafy greens are excellent calorie burners as they contain 50% water and 50% fiber. They have an uncanny trait of reducing the urge to eat sweets. Leafy greens are second to none when it comes to losing weight and eating foods that burn calories.
Kale is an excellent example of this. Juicy kale (also known as a superfood) contains glucosinolates which effectively reduce the risk of cancers of the colon, prostate, ovaries, breast, and bladder. A single serving of kale contains 1327% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin K as well as your 206% intake of Vitamin ASpinach is just as helpful providing some unique benefits to dieters.Spinach leaves have mild diuretic properties, which stimulates the elimination of excess fluids. Because of this, it is highly recommended to include spinach in weight loss diets.It is also high in protein content which causes the body to go into overdrive digesting food causing you to burn more calories.
Celery
Celery sticks consist of 75% water. The remainder is 25% fiber and roughage. This tasty snack is composed of fewer calories that what it will take your body to digest it. Celery is additionally an excellent source of fiber that will help you feel fuller for a longer period of time.
The health benefits of this popular snack food do not end there. Celery is packed with Vitamins C, A, and K. The anti-oxidant properties of celery also improve your cardiovascular health while preventing hardening of arteries. Celery sticks can be enjoyed on their own, lightly seasoned with salt or even dipped in hot sauce.
Fruits are negative calorie foods as well
Watermelon
One of the most popular summer food has to be watermelon. Incredibly low in calories due to its high, water content, watermelon is a dieter’s dream. Another reason for its effectiveness at weight loss is that is very rich in Vitamin B which increases your energy levels and lowers your desire to eat.
Nutritionists speculate that watermelon may have the ability to boost your metabolism higher than any other fruit due to its high level of fiber and protein. This powerful fruit is also rich in lycopene , the antioxidant helpful in protecting the body from cancers of the womb, colon, and respiratory systems.
GrapeFruit
Grapefruit is a common breakfast food that has benefits. Composed of nearly 60% water, the rest of the fruit is essentially a healthy fiber that boosts your digestive system. The fiber contained in grapefruit is called pectin , and it helps reduce hardening of the arteries and other forms of heart disease.
Adding grapefruit to your diet can boost morning energy or snack on one mid-afternoon when hit with a slump. Other advantages of grapefruit is that it helps prevent the development of tumors in the stomach, colon and lungs because it contains phytonutrients called limonoids . Lastly, those who eat greater quantities of grapefruit typically benefit from 16% lower levels of “bad” cholesterol.
Apples and Oranges
These two fruits are the answer for those with a sweet tooth but want to avoid candies high in sugar. Both are an excellent source for snacking with enough fiber to keep you full. Apple and oranges also have powerful and beneficial nutrients.
Apples have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by some 17% during lab experiments with rats who were fed an increased amount of apple servings to three. There is also some evidence that quercetin contained in apples could potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Oranges are great for heart health. They contain magnesium and potassium both effective at reducing blood pressure. They are a source of hesperidin , which lowers bad cholesterol levels. There have also been studies that suggest daily consumption of oranges reduces the risk of stroke by 20%.
Meats, the other negative calorie foods
Lean Meats
Meats do not contain zero calories like some of the fruits and vegetables we have been discussing, but lean meats are a great runner-up. They deserve a spot on this list as they work overtime on keeping the body running strong for hours.
Lean meats such as turkey, chicken, and low-fat pork are high in protein, forcing the body to work hard to digest them. This results in a temporary boost in metabolism and a guaranteed increase in calorie burn. At the same time, these meats provide such a high-energy level you will unlikely feel the need to eat for several hours.
When concerned with weight loss be careful about how you prepare your meat. Oven-bake or grill your meats instead of frying them or you will counteract the health benefits of your meal.
Chili peppers
Turn the heat up on burning calories by consuming chili peppers. They contain capsaicin which will boost your metabolic rate, causing your body to burn calories well after consumption. Chili peppers are low in calories, so they burn away more calories than they contain. People also feel less hungry after eating meals that feature chili.
How you use chili peppers is irrelevant. Whether sliced, in hot sauce or as flakes on pizza add chili to your favorite foods to give them a kick and to kick your metabolism into overdrive.
Adding just a few of these low- calorie foods to your diet will be one of the most positive steps you take towards a healthier life. Not only do they increase metabolism and help burn more calories than they add, but many of them have also added health benefits as you have seen above. Please note these are just a few examples of negative calorie foods. Others include coffee, broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers, arugula, and tomatoes.
