Whether you're dieting or looking after your health, it can sometimes be difficult to know which foods to eat. We're going to share with you a list of slimming foods and some essential tips for successfully rebalancing your diet.
What are the lowest calorie vegetables?
A vegetable is the edible part of a plant species. Sometimes avoided by some, or adored by others, these foods are nevertheless your ally for a balanced meal.
Indeed, their high water content allows them to ensure good body hydration by providing you with more than 800mL of water on average per day.
It is also the main source of fiber in the diet. These fibers help facilitate digestion and intestinal transit. Above all, they provide a much faster satiating effect (appetite suppressant) by increasing the volume of the food bolus.
These are also particularly low-energy foods. Here's a selection of the lightest vegetables to include in your meals.
- Cucumber. With less than 12 kilocalories per 100g, it's one of the lowest-calorie vegetables. Packed with pulp and water, and paired with a Greek sauce, it's the perfect food for a successful starter or a fresh salad.
- Radish. Round or elongated, radishes can be eaten as an appetizer or used to garnish your plates. Whether black or pink, this vegetable is also a very good source of vitamins and minerals (vitamins C, B, potassium, calcium, etc.) in addition to being very low in energy (<12kcal/100g).
- Mushrooms. There are all kinds, but be careful to choose the right species to avoid food poisoning! Baked, in sauce, or even raw, these mushrooms will allow you to easily garnish your dish or recipe when dieting (30kcal <100g).
- Celery. With nearly 20kcal/100g, this vegetable is rarely used in our daily diet, yet it's a particularly useful ally for limiting our energy intake (as long as we don't overdo the mayonnaise!).
- Eggplant and bell pepper. With less than 20kcal/100g, eggplant and bell peppers pair very well together in your recipe (summer salad, tchatchouka, etc.). Very rich in fiber, they will allow you to limit your calorie intake with a natural appetite suppressant effect! They are also particularly rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Beans (green, butter or other...). They are very rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, this vegetable is particularly satiating and low in calories with less than 20 kilocalories per 100g.
- Tomatoes. To limit the calories in your main course, what's better than enriching it with tomatoes? Sliced or in your hot dishes. It's very low in calories, with less than 15kcal/100g, and contains only 3% carbohydrates and very little fat (trace). It therefore contributes to a light and low-calorie diet. It's also 94% water, which helps satisfy hunger at the start of a meal!
- Squash. You have the choice, there are more than 12 different squashes (zucchini, pumpkin, butternut squash, etc.), they are also low in energy with only 30kcal per 100g! Don't hesitate to add them to your menu, whether as a side dish or in soup, these vegetables will see you through the entire fall/winter period.
- Konjac. This is probably the food listed that is most renowned for its slimming properties (3kcal/100g). Very rich in glucomannan and fiber, it has a natural appetite suppressant effect, because once ingested it allows you to increase the volume of the food bolus consumed! It therefore has a particularly interesting prebiotic effect, perfect for rapid and effective weight loss.
What are the lowest calorie fruits?
What's better than a piece of fruit to finish off your meal in style? While certainly sweet, fruit is a great addition to a diet. The sugar it contains is 100% natural, and combined with fiber, fruit has a fairly low glycemic index (perfect for limiting snacking). It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals, essential for your health.
- Strawberries. With less than 30kcal/100g, strawberries are very low in carbohydrates for a red fruit. They are also particularly rich in vitamin C, manganese, and other micronutrients.
- Raspberry. Tangy, it's one of the French's favorite dessert fruits (granola, raspberry pie, etc.). Like strawberries, it's low in calories (50kcal/100g) and rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Kiwi. In addition to its low calorie content (55kcal/100g), this fruit has strong antioxidant properties that may help fight the onset of certain diseases. Eating one or two kiwis for dessert will only be beneficial!
- Grapefruit. With less than 40kcal per 100g and rich in fiber, this citrus fruit will help you lose weight quickly. They are also very rich in flavonoids and antioxidant pigments.
What are the lowest calorie proteins?
Protein foods are also quite low in calories. Therefore, a slightly high-protein weight-loss meal will allow you to expend energy more easily. For example, the catabolism (burning) of 1g of fat consumes less energy than the consumption of 1g of protein. The digestion of these protein nutrients is a particularly energy-intensive process.
It is therefore best to favor lean (white) meats over red meats. These are low in fat and therefore lower in calories.
Fish is also a super interesting type of food from a nutritional point of view. They are also very rich in good trace elements, vitamins and minerals, (vitamin D, A, omega 3, etc.) with a calorie intake of around 65/kcal/100g for whiting, skate, plaice, etc.
Plant-based alternatives are also low-calorie, high-protein foods like tofu.
Are starchy foods low in calories?
Starchy foods aren't among the lowest-calorie foods; their composition is rich in complex carbohydrates, which provides us with long-term energy. However, there are healthy alternatives to keep your figure: opt for pasta, rice, and whole-grain bread (rather than those made with white flour)! Their high fiber content provides a feeling of satiety more quickly and for a longer period of time than refined options. They help take care of your digestive system.
What are the lowest calorie drinks?
Opting for low-calorie drinks is one of the best ways to limit hidden calories. Cut out soda and opt for lower-calorie drinks to stay slim. Coffee, tea, kombucha, lime or cucumber water… there are plenty of natural alternatives. For soda addicts, there are also zero-calorie drinks that can do the trick!
IN SUMMARY.
The beginning of good health starts with a healthy and varied diet! So don't hesitate to follow our advice: no more cookies, now's the time to make an effort. Thanks to this article, you now have all the keys in hand to revolutionize your diet and achieve your goals, while limiting calories.
