Nearly Zero Calorie Foods

The only "food" that truly doesn't contain calories is water. However, some foods are nearly calorie free and can therefore be considered "free foods."

The following list of foods (in the portion sizes suggested) contain 20 calories or less and are therefore considered to be insignificant contributions to overall caloric intake.

Fruits and Vegetables
(Note: These are particularly good choices because they add bulk and fiber to your diet.)

• 1 small, 2.6 oz bell pepper (or 1 cup sliced) (15 calories)
• 1 cup shredded cabbage (17 calories) (note: mix with balsamic vinegar to make a slaw)
• 1 small carrot (20 calories)
• 6 cauliflower florets (3 oz) (20 calories)
• 2 large stalks celery (17 calories)
• 1/2 large cucumber (17 calories)
• 1/2 cup eggplant (17 calories)
• 1 large scrambled egg white prepared with nonstick cooking spray (17 calories)
• 1 cup (cooked) greens (20 calories)
• 1 lemon or lime (2" diameter) (20 calories)
• 1 cup whole mushrooms (20 calories)
• 1 cup radishes, sliced (19 calories)
• 2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce (16 calories)
• 9 small strawberries (20 calories)
• 4 cherry tomatoes (2.4 oz) (20 calories)

Nearly Zero Calorie Foods: Condiments

• Dill pickles (1 spear = 5 calories)
• Horseradish (1 tsp. = 2 calories)
• Jam or jelly, sugar free (1 Tbsp. = 10 calories)
• Ketchup (1 Tbsp. = 15 calories)
• Lemon juice (1 Tbsp. = 4 calories)
• Margarine spread, fat-free (1 Tbsp. = 5 calories)
• Mayonnaise, fat-free (1 Tbsp. = 14 calories)
• Mustard (1 tsp. = 3 calories)
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (1 Tbsp. = 22 calories)
• Salad dressing, fat-free (1 Tbsp., avg. 5-20 calories)
• Salsa (1/4 cup = 17 calories)
• Sour cream, fat-free (1 Tbsp. = 10 calories)
• Sweet pickle relish (2 teaspoons = 17 calories)
• Syrup, sugar-free (2 Tbsp. = 15 calories)
• Vinegar (balsamic = 10 calories/Tbsp., red wine and white wine vinegar = 0 calories

• 1 hard candy (20 calories)
• 1 stick of chewing gum (7 calories)
• 1/2 cup air popped popcorn (15 calories)
• fat free, sugar free jello (1/2 cup = 10 calories)
• sugar free Popsicle (1 = 15 calories)

Calorie Free Foods: Zero Calorie Beverages

• Club soda
• Coffee, unsweetened or with sugar substitute
• Diet soda, sugar-free
• Drink mixes, sugar-free
• Flavored water, carbohydrate-free
• Tea, unsweetened or with sugar substitute
• Tonic water, sugar-free
• Water: plain, carbonated, mineral
• 1 cup vegetable, chicken or beef broth (10-20 calories) (note: use "low sodium")

Zero Calorie Foods: Seasonings

• Cooking spray
• Cooking wine
• Flavored extracts: almond, peppermint, vanilla
• Garlic
• Herbs
• Hot pepper sauce
• Pimento
• Spices
• Worcestershire sauce

If you're trying to lose weight, understand that calories matter. Use some of these "free foods" to help fill you up in place of more caloric foods!

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