Image Credit: Negative Calorie Foods
A negative calorie food supposedly requires more energy for digestion than the food provides. In another way, we can say the calorie cost of digesting the food would be greater than its energy content. These foods have a low glycemic index and are rich in fibre. Ms Soumita Biswas, Chief Nutritionist, Aster RV Hospital, shares six negative calorie foods that aid in weight:
- Watermelon: Watermelon has 30 kcal/100g. Some benefits of the watermelon rind include a healthy heart, provide hydration and regulating blood pressure. Not only this but watermelon seeds also has many health benefits starting from the prevention of anaemia to immune-boosting properties. The water content present in watermelon and vitamin A, B6, C, and lycopene act as immune-boosting food.
- Cucumber: Cucumber contains 15 kcal/100g. Cucumber quenches thirst, supplies the much-needed dose of vitamins, minerals and gives instant energy. The water content present in cucumber is excellent for hydration. In addition, this fruit provides dietary fibre and is suitable for irritable bowel syndrome and diabetic patients, along with quenching thirst.
- Celery: Celery contains 16 kcal/100g. It is rich in fibre, vitamin A, C and Folate. Celery is one of the most lauded negative calorie foods because its calorie content is bound up in cellulose. As it is high in non-digestible fibre, our body's calorie intake is significantly less from celery.
- Berries: Berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries contain 32 kcal per half a cup. Berries are called negative calorie foods because of their low glycemic index and their protein content. It contains antioxidants too, that protect us from various cancers.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes has 19kcal/100g. Apart from its water content, it is an excellent source of fibre, potassium, and vitamin C. Tomato also contains lycopene, an antioxidant known to protect skin cancer.
- Carrots: Carrots contains 41 kcal/100g. Its vitamin A content is good for the eyes. In addition, carrots fibre content keeps the stomach full for a longer time, thus helps in weight loss.
