The foods presented below are extremely low in calories, but high in nutrients, which can boost the immune system and promote weight loss.
Additionally, these foods are also referred to as zero-calorie foods because they possess fewer calories than the human body uses to break them down. Moreover, most nutritionists claim that these foods should be introduced in everyone’s diet since they can be consumed in great amounts without busting the gut. Keep in mind that low-calorie food doesn’t mean low-nutrient food.
According to the creator of the Nutrition Diva podcast and licensed nutritionist, Monica Reinagel, the regular consumption of low-calorie foods can prevent you from consuming high-calorie foods.
Here Is a List of 15 Low-Calorie, but High-Mineral and High-Nutrient Foods:
– Cucumbers
Reinagel points out that the consumption of foods rich in water, such as cucumber can help you feel full longer since they take up plenty of space in the stomach. Moreover, this veggie is also an excellent source of potassium, and vitamins C and K. Also, it is packed with silica, i.e., a compound that can help build as well as maintain connective tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, bones, and muscles.
– Celery
It is another vegetable that is low in calories, but high in nutrients. A cup of celery contains 1/3 of the recommended daily vitamin K amount. That’s not all, the veggie is also rich in vitamin A, potassium, folate, and fiber. Furthermore, it also possesses phthalides, i.e., compounds that can relax muscle tissue in artery walls and stimulate blood flow. As a result of this, the regular consumption of celery can regulate your blood pressure levels.
– Citrus Fruit
You should introduce tangerines, lemons, oranges, and grapefruit in your daily diet since they are abundant in vitamin C. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study suggesting that participants who had greater vitamin C levels had lower waist-to-hip ratios than participants who were deficient in the vitamin. The researchers at the University of Arizona confirmed that those people who had greater vitamin C levels oxidized 25% more fat during treadmill sessions compared to vitamin C deficient participants.
– Apples
This fruit is highly nutritious, so it can help in the weight loss process. But, do you know that the peel possesses most of its fiber that boosts metabolism, and ursolic acid that could prevent weight gain? The recent study conducted by the researchers at the University of Iowa has proven that the regular consumption of apples can significantly accelerate the weight loss process.
– Apricots
Apricots abound in vitamins C, E, and A, and beta-carotene. The high amount of beta-carotene present in the fruit may help in the treatment of heart disease and cancer. It can also protect your eyesight because the consumption of 3 servings of apricots every day can reduce the possibility of macular degeneration, thus preventing vision loss. The Archives of Ophthalmology published a study confirming that people who consumed apricots on a regular basis had a reduced risk of the disease by 36% in comparison to the control group.