Negative-calorie foods supposedly require more calories to chew and digest than they provide for the body. The concept of negative calories is a controversial one, as no scientific studies prove it to be true. "Time Magazine" debunked the myth of negative-calorie foods, noting that the digestive cycle burns very few calories. Despite the lack of evidence behind the theory of negative calories, most reportedly negative-calorie foods are very high in nutrients and extremely low in calories. They provide a plentiful supply of fiber and antioxidants, so even if you do absorb the minimal calories they provide, you receive a wealth of benefits in return.
Celery
Celery is probably the best known "negative-calorie" food. It is composed primarily of water and an indigestible form of fiber. A large stalk of celery contains a mere nine calories. The work it takes to chew celery has given it its reputation for being a negative-calorie food.
Iceberg Lettuce
Because it contains so few calories and nutrients, the dietary impact of iceberg lettuce is minimal. You can enjoy multiple cups of iceberg lettuce while taking in very few calories. Although it might not have negative calories, it does not have a significant impact on your diet.
Citrus
Grapefruit and lemons are common diet foods. They add a lot of flavor with minimal calories. Lemon supposedly contains natural enzymes to cleanse the body and an old wives' tale says that it will rev the metabolism if taken first thing in the morning in warm water. Its reputation for having negative calories may be unfounded, but you never consume enough lemon to make a strong caloric impact. Grapefruit can help reduce bloating by flushing water from the body, according to researchers at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at the Scripps Clinic. Its caloric impact, at 70 calories for one small fruit, is minimal and it takes a lot of time to eat.
Cucumbers
Water is a primary component of cucumbers and as a result, they contain very few calories. Cucumber-accented water is used to help stimulate the kidneys and assist with detoxification. The diuretic effect may be what gives cucumber its reputation for being a negative-calorie food.
Cabbage
Cabbage, famous for its starring role in the cabbage soup diet, is a fiber-rich addition to any diet. It contains few calories per serving and, because of its high fiber content, fills you up. Eating a lot of cabbage may not have a big caloric impact, but it is likely that the calories do count.
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