The concept of negative calorie foods as it is the case with foods that
increase metabolism sounds as a false statement, to say the least.
Why would someone consider such a statement as false?
The
reason lies in the fact that everyone knows, without a doubt, that
foods and beverages contain calories: some more and some less.
However very few people understand that referring to such
foods has to do with the metabolic function of our bodies. Actually it
is a pretty simple concept once you become familiar with the basics.
Let me clarify this a bit.
The
moment we start to eat, our digestive system starts to roll. That means
that we start producing saliva and then as the food goes down the
hesofagus, into the stomach where various gastric fluids (of an acidic
texture) turn the food into a mass ready for the small intestine.
There, our body derives all the useful nutrients that it needs and dumbs the rest to the colon, to leave the body.
That whole process I just described creates a thermal effect which equals to some calories.
It means that when we digest food we spend calories.
The negative
calorie foods concept is that the calories we take in, when we consume
these foods, are less than the calories needed by our bodies to digest
them, thus creating a negative balance.
That’s it.
Now
you know why, when weight loss specialists and diet experts talk about
negative calorie foods , they are referring to one of the best tools and
natural approaches to stimulate fat loss, maintain a healthy weight and
always be in a good shape.
However we must say that although
the everyday consumption of negative calorie foods seems like a correct
concept to its core, scientific evidence that the consumption of such
foods contributes massively to a fat loss effort is lacking.
Therefore such foods should not be considered as “magic bullets” rather than a complement to a healthy fat loss nutrition plan.
The
added value of eating negative calorie foods is that most of them are
high in fibers which assists our fat loss efforts as it releases the
energy it contains (aka calories) in a timely manner allowing us to have
the sense of being full and not hungry for a longer period of time.
Here I have created a list of 9 foods which are considered to be the
best in creating a negative balance in the calorie intake since they are
the lowest in calories and the richest in essential nutrients.
Sidebar:
In order to enjoy nutritional and weight loss benefits not only of the
foods described hereafter but in general, be sure to consume only 100%
organic ones.
• Apples. By eating organic apples, it is
possible not only to keep doctors away and remain healthy, but also
stimulate fat loss and keep perfect body mass. 100 g of apples have only
45-50 calories, and for digesting this type of fruits our body needs to
spend about 80-85 calories. Apples are definitely the most popular and
the most affordable among the whole list of negative calorie foods and
they are available in our stores and markets year round. These fruits
are rich in iron and dietary fiber essential for normal function of our
cardiovascular and digestive systems.
• Grapefruits. They
are considered to be among the most effective of fat burning foods, and
are valued for their high content of antioxidants and a variety of very
important health benefits.100 g of grapefruit have about 50-100
calories, and it takes about 100-150 calories to digest it. This amazing
natural food can provide your body with dietary fiber , vitamins C and
A, potassium and other minerals.
• Lettuce. Known also as
iceberg, lettuce is definitely among the most commonly used negative
calorie foods. 100 g of lettuce will add only 14 calories to your daily
calorie intake while it is especially valued for being free of fat,
toxins, pesticides, and other unwanted chemicals. In addition, lettuce
is a great natural source of sodium and manganese, minerals which
provide our body with vitalizing powers, along with iron, essential for
our blood quality. Also, lettuce leaves are rich in vitamins, include
vitamin K, C, B1, B2, and A.
• Onions. These are perfect
and very healthy negative calorie foods which are widely used both fresh
and dries. They are being used in many many traditional cuisines around
the globe. Having only 40 calories in 100 g, onions are a well
recognized natural source of vitamin C, with very powerful
anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Also, onions can
provide our body with a vital combination of sodium and potassium
essential for a proper fluid balance and normalization of other chemical
processes.
• Cucumbers. Excellent thirst quenchers,
cucumbers are very low calorie vegetables totally free of fat. Calorie
content of these foods is as low as 15 calories per 100 g. Cucumbers are
richin water essential for supporting metabolism, as well as in
minerals like calcium, sodium and iron,and vitamins C and A.
• Cabbage.
This source of dietary fiber has a special place in the list of
negative calorie foods. With only 25 calories in 100 g, cabbage is a
cheap and available alternative to many other natural healthy foods,
which enhances both our digestive function and our brain functions. It
contains elements such as folic acid and magnesium which are basic to
maintaining an active lifestyle.
• Broccoli. A known and
highly valued food with excellent anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-stress,
and cleansing properties. 100 g of broccoli have only 25 calories and it
takes about 80 calories to digest this amount of broccoli. Rich in
anti-oxidants, broccoli is a great food to slow down aging processes in
the body. A high content of dietary fiber and a low content of sugars
assists in supporting the digestive system and, definitely, in promoting
fat loss.
• Celery. Playing an important role among
negative calorie foods and the foods that increase metabolism, celery is
a very popular immune system booster as well as an aphrodisiac. By
eating 100 gr of celery you consume only 18 calories, at the same time
your body needs to spend at least 65 calories to digest celery. By using
this excellent source of vitamin K, C, A and B group, and minerals like
calcium, magnesium, among others, we can considerably lower the risks
of digestive problems, hypertension, respiratory infections, and bladder
problems.
• Zucchini. It is a low-calorie (16 calories in
100 g) and nutritious vegetable which can be a great choice to
complement every healthy diet plan. As they are rich in Vitamin A they
can assist in improving our immune system while in the same time its
great amounts of potassium and phosphorus provide an excellent means of
support to the regulation of our gastrointestinal tract as well as
assist in preventing hypertension.
Return from negative calorie foods to fat burning foods
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