Negative Calorie Foods: Do They Really Exist... and Can They Help You Lose Weight?

There are several weight loss programs that claim to utilize "negative calorie foods" to help you burn fat and lose weight quickly. The idea behind these programs is that some foods require more energy (calories) to eat and digest than the foods themselves actually contain. So, if you eat nothing but these foods, theoretically you will force your body to use up its energy stores (body fat) just in the process of chewing, digesting, and processing the food you eat. As you may already know, creating a calorie deficit (through diet, exercise, or both) is a necessity in order to lose weight.

Some of the most well-known negative calorie foods are "watery" vegetables such as celery, lettuce, cabbage and cucumbers. These foods are very high in fiber, making them more difficult to break down and thus requiring more energy during the digestion process than lower fiber-content foods. At the same time, these foods are very low in calories (celery contains about 9 calories per stalk for instance). So basically it is likely that these types of foods do require slightly more calories to "burn" than they contain.

So now we know that negative calorie foods do exist. But the real question is: can they help you lose weight? Obviously, if you eat nothing but these high-fiber, low-calorie, low-taste foods, you will certainly lose weight. But the reality of "negative calorie diets" is that, like most quick weight loss fad diets, they are nearly impossible to follow for any significant amount of time. Who can eat nearly-tasteless, watery vegetables all day long? 99% of people who try it will give up after a day or two and probably end up overeating for the next couple of weeks!

The bottom line is that negative calorie foods probably do exist, but diets based on these foods alone won't help you to lose weight because they're too difficult to follow. That being said, it is definitely a good idea to incorporate large amounts of raw and steamed vegetables into your diet. Veggies and fruits should make up the cornerstone of any healthy diet, whether you're trying to lose weight or not. They contain vital nutrients your body needs, as well as lots of healthy fiber to keep you feeling full and prevent overeating.

Related:

The Straight Dope: Does chewing celery consume more calories than it provides?

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