Trying to find different ways of cutting calories out of your diet? If you’re tired of the same old list of veggies like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and carrots, we found some other low-calorie foods to diversify your menu. The great news about these low-cal foods is you can eat larger portions without the guilt. Experiment with different ways to prepare them, so you can enjoy them even more.
Low-Calorie Foods to Add to Your Grocery List
1 – Arugula
This dark, leafy green vegetable only has six calories per cup. Mix it with your salad for a bit of a peppery flavor.
2 – Beets
You’ve probably heard of beets before, but did you know about all of their health benefits? Not only do beets help lower blood pressure and contain a good amount of potassium, but they are only 59 calories per cup. Soak them in some red wine & vinegar dressing for a tasty, filling meal.
3 – Broth
Chicken, beef, and vegetable broth only contains 7-12 calories per cup. Add some lean meat and vegetables to create a low calorie soup.
4 – Chard
Chard is a leafy green that only contains 7 calories per cup and offers blood clotting properties. Chard is known for being one of the most nutritious vegetables in the world, with many benefits including antioxidants and properties that support bone health and regulate blood sugar.
5 – Clementines
For a sweet, no-guilt treat, you can enjoy a clementine or two, which only has 35 calories per fruit. Like oranges, they’re a great source of vitamin C.
6 – Fennel
If you like a bit of a licorice flavor, you can add dried fennel seeds to your recipe. Raw fennel only contains 27 calories per cup.
7 – Jicama
For something that tastes similar to an apple but with 9 less carbs and 26 less calories, try a cup of jicama. Jicama only contains 46 calories and 10.58 grams of carbohydrates per cup.
8 – Microgreens
Microgreens, which are tiny, edible greens grown from the seeds of vegetables and herbs, are packed with many vitamins like calcium and vitamin C — with only 6 calories per ounce.
9 – Papaya
For another low calorie fruit, try some papaya, which only contains 55 calories per cup. It is also a very good source of potassium, which supports bone strength, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and blood pressure.
10 – Rutabaga
This root vegetable is a good replacement for high-carb sides because it is similar to the consistency of a potato, but has only 11 grams of carbohydrates and 50 calories per cup.
11 – Watercress
Watercress is a nutritious add-on to salads and sandwiches with lots of vitamins including C, K, and A. And you’ll only be taking in 4 calories per cup.
Want to read about other weight management tips? Take a look at HHER’s our blogs regarding low-impact exercises and how you should be eating.
