Zero Calorie Foods

But how am I suppose to lose weight? I don't want to feel hungry all the time, and healthy food is bland! Dieting is sooo hard. Blah, blah, blah, I know. Boring diets can make weight loss seem impossible. But, if you feel that dieting is difficult or that you are restricting yourself too much, you may be relieved to know that there are ZERO calorie foods, beverages and condiments you can add to your meals to help spice up your menu without bursting your belt. Each of these items either have no calories, or so few calories that your body burns more calories digesting them than it gains from eating them. Choosing these items can help you lose weight, since they can fill you up while helping keep your calories low.

Food:

Lettuce

A cup of lettuce will only add a few calories to your meal, but it's full of nutrients. It contains a tiny amount of fat but loads of vitamin A and vitamin C. Beef up a sandwich by adding lettuce or make a hefty salad. But remember that salad dressing has lots of fat, so use it sparingly or choose a fat-free dressing.

Celery

A stalk of celery is only about 5 calories; you can burn more calories than that walking to the refrigerator. Celery provides some carbs, potassium, fiber and vitamin A. Munch on a fresh stalk in between meals to stay full without the fat.

Cucumber

A half cup of cucumber is only 8 calories. Jump up and down 5 times...calories burned. They provide iron, vitamin C and fiber but virtually no fat. Yay for your diet and a full stomach! Add some to your salad or snack on some before bed to ward of the mid-night munchies that can ruin your dieting efforts.

Beverages:

Green Tea

Who needs soda for a beverage with flavor when you can drink green tea. Green tea has zero calories (unless you start adding sugar) and it can even help your body burn more fat by boosting your metabolic rate. Green tea also contains anti-oxidants, improves brain function, and reduces your chances of getting diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

Water With a Twist

Remember good, old-fashion water? Well it called, it wants you to know it misses you. Not only does water have zero calories, but it helps flush out toxins, keeps your skin glowing, boosts your immune system and keeps you regular. Plain ol' water too boring for you? Add a squirt of lemon. Still zero calories, but with an extra twist of yum. Oh, and that extra lemon can boost your energy while freshening your breath. Plus 2 for lemon water!

Why Should I Drink Water?

Condiments: 

Mustard

Why douse your sandwich in high-calorie, high-fat mayo when you can add more flavor with zero calorie mustard? I know, good question. This zesty condiment is full of flavor and can help you triumph over the monotony of your average, boring sandwiches. Substitute mustard anytime you would use mayo for more zip and less flab.

Relish

Relish is one of my all-time favorite zero calorie foods because it can add flavor to a sandwich, burger, tuna or salad without adding any fat or calories. But you have to use dill relish NOT sweet relish, which has been contaminated with sugar. Okay, contaminated is a strong word, but they did ruin its zero calorie food title by trying to make it sweet.

Hot Sauce

Here's where it gets fun. I personally LOVE spicy foods, and being able to kick up the thermostat on an otherwise ordinary bean burrito (no fat beans, of course) without the guilt of adding extra calories or fat, is awesome. Use some hot sauce to spice up your eggs, a bowl of noodles or some lean chicken or fish, and you'll stop thinking of diet as a four letter word in no time. But it does come with a side of sodium, so balance this with the sodium in the rest of your diet to avoid puffiness, bloating and water retention, which can occur when you consume too much.

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