Foods vary in size, shape, color, smell and appearance. But one thing that they all have in common is calories. Some are very high in calories, while others are very low. Negative calorie foods are ones that cause the body to burn more calories to break down than the amount of calories in the food itself.
Significance
Being overweight can cause a lot of complications such as joint conditions, social anxiety and an increase in disease risk. Negative calorie foods can be incorporated into a healthy diet plan to promote weight loss.
Features
Foods that are negative calorie have a high water content and contain a substance called "cellulose" that cannot be easily broken down in the body. The foods are low in calories to start with, and it takes the body a lot of energy to break them down, which is what causes the higher caloric expenditure.
Types
Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of negative calorie foods. Examples of these include asparagus, celery, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, fennel, broccoli, peaches, plums, grapefruits and guava.
Theories/Speculation
Although eating negative calorie foods sounds like a grand plan, there has been no solid research done to prove or disprove the theory. But one thing is for certain; all of the negative calorie foods are nutritious and should be added to the diet if you are trying to clean up your eating habits.
Expert Insight
If you are looking to lose weight, calorie restriction is the answer. But if you go too far with your calorie restriction, you can get to a point where your overall caloric intake is too low and your body's ability to function will be compromised. To avoid this from happening, eat balanced meals that involve negative calorie foods in conjunction with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and beans.
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