While there's no such thing as a zero-calorie food, there are some foods that you can enjoy freely without having to worry about gaining weight.
According to nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young, these foods generally fall into one of two categories: non-starchy fruits or vegetables, adding that the reasons you won’t gain weight from eating them are mainly the following:
They're mostly made up of water.
They're low in calories.
They contain fiber, which helps make you feel and stay full.
They are also packed with plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that have many benefits for your health.
These are the foods you can eat without restraint:
Kale: One cup of raw kale only has about 33 calories; contains close to 3 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber per serving. It also contains an omega-three fatty acid.
Blueberries: This fruit has more antioxidants than any other fruit. A cup of blueberries packs contains 14% of your recommended daily value in fiber.
Cucumbers: Mostly made up of water, contain 16 calories per serving. The seeds and skin contain most of the fruit's nutritional value in both fiber and a form of vitamin A known as beta-carotene, which is known to be good for your eyes.
Tomatoes: Contain lycopene, a carotenoid, which helps fight against chronic diseases and also gives the fruit its red color. Tomatoes are high in vitamins A, C, and B2, as well as folate, chromium, potassium, and fiber. One medium-sized tomato only has around 25 calories.
Broccoli: This super vegetable contains sulforaphane, an anticarcinogen that works to destroy cancer-causing chemicals. It also contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, with approximately 20% of your daily fiber requirement and about 31 calories in one serving. Broccoli is most nutritious when eaten raw or when steamed.
Cauliflower: It contains antioxidants and phytochemicals — both of which help to fight off chronic disease — and it's an excellent source of folate, fiber, and vitamins C and K. There are only 25 calories in one serving.
Blackberries: The fruit is rich in vitamin C as well as antioxidants known as bioflavonoids. Eating blackberries can aid with digestion and staying alert, and tightens tissue, leading to younger-looking skin. There are around 62 calories in a single serving of the berries.
Lettuce: Most types of lettuce only have about 10 to 2o calories per serving. They contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamins A and C.
Oranges: A medium-sized orange has about 80 calories. The citrus fruit touts multiple benefits including providing Vitamin C and helping keep skin free of damage and looking good.
Strawberries: There's more vitamin C in one serving of strawberries than there is in one orange. They are a good source of potassium and fiber, and they're fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free, which makes them healthy for the heart. One cup of the fruit only has around 50 calories.