A group of foods that don’t have any calories can be very helpful in the never-ending battle against being overweight. No one recipe can help you lose weight, but these low-calorie winners can. They will help you cut calories while still making you feel full.
From spicy sauces to drinks that keep you hydrated, these tasty 0 calorie treats let you eat a lot without getting too many calories. Before we look at the list, though, it’s important to know what a real healthy food is.
Defining Zero-Calorie Foods and Drinks
There are very clear rules about what “zero calories” means on nutrition labels. This sign means that the serving size of the food or drink has less than 5 calories. Anything over this very small limit needs to have a calorie count written on the package.
Because of this, many foods that are advertised as calorie-free may actually have a certain number of calories in bigger amounts. However, for the purposes of this list, we will only include items that have zero calories per dose or as few calories as scientifically possible.
Well, without further ado, here are 16 delicious zero-calorie foods that will change the way you lose weight and taste great:
1. Herbs and Spices
At the top of the list of zero-calorie all-stars are herbs and spices, which are full of flavor. From the fragrant basil and tangy cilantro to the warmth of cinnamon and the kick of cayenne, these powerful plant-based additions quickly make any dish taste better while adding almost no calories.
2. Mustard
Mustard is a classic sandwich spread that is also one of the best foods for you that don’t have any calories. Most kinds, like Dijon, yellow, and hot brown, have no calories per teaspoon but still have a lot of taste. Just stay away from “honey” mustards because they add sugars that are high in calories.
3. Hot Sauce
Tabasco, Frank’s RedHot, and Cholula are all hot sauces that are very spicy and have a lot of zip. They give you fire-roasted heat without any calories. They look great on meat, vegetables, soups, and other foods.
4. Unsweetened Tea
Unsweetened teas, like green, black, and herbal types, are great when you need a drink that will hydrate you without adding calories. Not only do they quench your thirst, but the vitamins in them also help your health.
5. Black Coffee
Plain black coffee has a strong taste without any calories, kind of like tea. Don’t add too much sugar, cream, or fancy syrups, though, because they can quickly make your coffee very high in calories.
6. Diet Sodas
Diet colas, seltzers, and other soft drinks with no calories are officially on this list, whether you like them or not. But keep in mind that a lot of them have fake sweeteners that you might not want to eat.
7. Lemon and Lime Juice
Lemon or lime juice that has just been squeezed will add a tangy, vitamin C-rich kick to your drinks and food. They have no calories at all and taste great with fruit.
8. Vinegar
Vinegar like apple cider, red wine, and balsamic can be used to make zingy salad dressings and marinades, or they can be sprayed over vegetables or proteins to add flavor without adding calories.
9. Salsa
A zero-calorie salsa without added sugars has shockingly few calories and is great for dipping veggie sticks or topping protein pancakes.
10. Vegetable Salt Alternatives
These seasoning blends for vegetables, like celery salt, zaatar, and everything bagel, make food taste better without adding any extra calories.
11. Pickles and Pickle Juice
There are no calories in dill pickles or any other pickled vegetables because they are made with vinegar. You can also add the juice to drinks and marinades as a low-calorie addition.
12. Broth and Bouillon
If you drink soup or bouillon cubes by themselves, they taste good and are good for you without adding any calories or salt. They’re also great for making other foods taste better.
13. Seaweed and Nori
Many Asian dishes use dried sheets of seaweed and nori, which have strong umami flavors and don’t add any calories—though they are very low in calories when eaten in larger amounts.
14. Garlic and Onions
Simple kitchen staples like onions and garlic add a lot of flavor to food and don’t have many calories when they’re not processed.
15. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
For rich chocolate flavor without the calories, use cocoa powder that hasn’t been sweetened. You can add it to baked goods or use it to make low-calorie hot chocolate.
16. Extracts
Extracts have a concentrated taste and no calories per serving. They come in flavors like vanilla, almond, coconut, and root beer, among others.
Creative Ways to Use Zero-Calorie Foods
Now that you have a lot of the best zero-calorie foods, it’s time to start adding them to your daily routine without any problems.
Dressings made with vinegar, mustards, hot sauce, and herb mixes are better for salads and vegetables than ones that are thick and high in calories. A spritz of lime or lemon can also make flavors taste better right away.
Don’t use high-calorie sauces when making foods like chicken, steak, fish, or tofu. Instead, use zesty rubs with cocoa powder, spices, and extracts. You could also add flavorful broths or salsas on top after cooking.
Herbs, vinegar, hot sauce, and broth can be added to soups and stews to make the tastes stronger without adding extra calories. The same goes for that breakfast or grain bowl in the morning.
Don’t forget about drinks. You can make your own spa water with cucumber and citrus or brew a huge variety of green teas. These calorie-free drinks will help you stay hydrated without spending a lot of money.
At the end of the day, cutting calories is the only way to lose weight. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland, boring food, though. If you get creative and use these great zero-calorie foods, you can cut calories by a lot while making every bite taste better.
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