Trying to reduce the number of calories you’re intaking? Keep on snacking without guilt with these low-calorie foods.
Are you trying to lose weight? Then you know the struggle is real.
There are high-calorie foods everywhere. They’re at the office, your kids’ soccer practices – even at the grocery store.
So many high-calorie options exist at your grocery store. There’s potato chips, cookies, muffins, ice cream… the list goes on.
Even supposed “healthy foods” are a minefield of calories. So what’s a guy (or gal) gonna do?
Make a list of low-calorie foods – and check it twice.
But that can be time-consuming. So, I’ve done that for you.
Today, I’m sharing 25 Low-Calorie Foods You Can Buy While Shopping. They’re not only low in calories but healthy also.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start shopping!
1. Apples
The saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” And for a good reason.
Apples contain Vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system. And they also contain polyphenols which may be good for your heart.
But did you know that apples are personal-trainer approved?
A medium apple contains just 95 calories. What’s more, just by adding them to your diet, you can lose weight – without decreasing your caloric intake.
In fact, a study found that individuals who added 3 apples to their diet each day for 10 weeks lost 2 pounds. Yes, just by eating apples!
2. Broccoli
Did you hate eating broccoli as a kid? It’s time to show it some love.
That’s because broccoli is rich in immune-boosting Vitamin C., And you can eat a ton of it – without breaking the calorie bank.
½ cup of boiled broccoli has only 27 calories. So, to eat 1 500 calories worth of it, you would have to eat close to 28 cups of it.
But broccoli is so rich in filling fiber that it would be near impossible. Your stomach would be bursting!
To get the most nutrition from your broccoli, make sure you don’t boil it. Boiling it can cause Vitamin C to leach into the water.
Instead, you want to steam it using a steamer basket like this.
3. Celery
Craving potato chips? Have some celery instead.
Celery gives you the munching action you crave – with way fewer calories.
One medium stalk of celery contains has only 6 calories. So, you can eat it to your heart’s desire.
Yet, it provides a whopping 15% of your Vitamin K needs. Yay!
Now, most of us (myself included) are guilty of dipping celery sticks in high-calorie dips. But for extra flavor, you can top your celery sticks with some hot sauce.
4. Clementines
Craving something sweet? Grab a clementine or two.
One clementine contains 34.8 calories. And it’s surprisingly rich in Vitamin C.
One clementine will provide 60% of your daily Vitamin C needs.
Besides snacking on them, you can even add them to your salads or even smoothies.
So, the next time you feel that sugar binge coming on, grab a clementine.
5. Eggs
Looking for an easy yet filling breakfast idea? Boil an egg!
One large hard-boiled egg contains only 78 calories. It is also a good source of protein which fills you up.
In fact, by eating eggs for breakfast, you may end up eating 105 fewer calories later in the day.
Too busy to babysit your eggs while they boil on the stovetop? This egg maker has an automatic shut-off feature. So it’s perfect for your busy mornings.
6. Watermelon
Summer is the perfect time for chilling on the deck. But when it gets too hot outside, you want something cool and refreshing to munch on.
Watermelons check all the boxes. They’re cool, refreshing, and are full of water.
So, they’re great for keeping you hydrated. What’s more, one cup of diced watermelon contains only 45.6 calories.
And talking about summer, watermelon is the perfect fruit to have at picnics. Adults and kids alike love it.
To prevent your watermelon from getting hot, it’s best to keep it in a cooler. This cooler has a 16-quart capacity. So, it can hold your watermelon and more.
7. Strawberries
Strawberries are another refreshing treat for summer. One cup of whole strawberries contains just 46.1 calories.
And it has a whole lot of Vitamin C. In fact, it provides 141% of your daily Vitamin C needs.
It’s even rich in bone-building manganese. Who would have thought?
Want to enjoy strawberries all year long – without breaking the bank? Get frozen strawberries out of season.
You can use them in smoothies or even make “nice” cream.
8. Tart Cherries
Do you prefer your fruit tart? You can’t go wrong with tart cherries.
Not only will they make your mouth pucker, but they are also good for your waistline. One cup of pitted tart cherries will net you only 78 calories.
What’s more – Tart cherries may even help you lose the fat around your belly. Sweet!
9. Cantaloupe
Are tart fruits not quite your thing? Have some cantaloupe instead.
One cup of diced cantaloupe contains just 53 calories. And it contains potassium which is essential for heart health.
Besides eating it as a snack, you can use it to make smoothies and sorbets. You can even grill cantaloupe on its own or with cured meats like prosciutto.
10. Oranges
Craving orange juice? Have an orange instead.
One orange contains only 62 calories. And it’s a good source of fiber.
So, it will fill you up more than a glass of orange juice.
And don’t throw out the skin either. Orange zest is rich in pectin, which may help you lose weight.
So grab your orange zester and get some orange zest!
11. Green tea
Craving a warm beverage? Sip on some green tea.
Not only does it contain zero calories, but it’s also great for weight loss. That’s because green tea increases fat burning.
It also boosts your metabolism.
Besides using green tea as a beverage, you can also use it for cooking. You can add it to vegetable broths or even add it to vegetable dishes. If you need to pick up some green tea, you can get some here.
12. Cucumbers
And talking about vegetables, no vegetable is more refreshing than a cold cucumber. After all, we even put cucumbers on our eyes, right?
And for a good reason – cucumbers are packed with water. So, they refresh both our thirst and our eyes.
What’s more, ½ a cup of cucumber slices has just 7.8 calories. Yet, it provides 11% of your Vitamin K needs.
Cucumber slices are great on their own. Or you can also pair them with hummus for a good dose of protein.
13. Snow peas
Craving the munchies? Have some snow peas.
One 3.5 oz serving of snow peas contains only 42 calories. Yet, it’s a powerhouse of nutrition.
It’s a rich source of Vitamins A and C. It is an excellent source of Vitamin K, which is vital for blood clotting and bone health.
You can eat snow peas on their own or with a vegetable dip. Or you can use them in stir-fries, pasta, or salads. Bon appetit!
14. Radishes
Radishes more munchies? Have some radishes.
They’re crispy and spicy – perfect if you like the heat. One cup of radish slices has only 18.6 calories.
And just like snow peas, they’re rich in Vitamin C. They’re also low in carbs.
What’s more, when they are sauteed, they taste kind of like potatoes. So, they’re great if you’re on a low-carb diet.
15. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a staple in low-carb diets. And for a good reason.
You can use it in place of higher-carb foods. These include rice, mashed potatoes, and pizza crust.
But aside from being low-carb, cauliflower is also low-calorie.
One cup of raw cauliflower contains just 25 calories. It is also rich in Vitamins C and K.
It is also rich in sulforaphane antioxidants which may be good for your heart.
16. Spinach
Need to bulk up your salads or sandwiches? Add some spinach.
One cup of raw spinach provides 6.9 calories. Yet, it gives a stunning 181% of your daily Vitamin K needs.
Besides using spinach in salads and sandwiches, you can also add them to smoothies. This green smoothie is so simple to make and is only 105 calories.
17. Arugula
Arugula is another good veggie to bulk up your salads and sandwiches. Not only does it add bulk, but it also adds some spicy notes.
One cup of arugula contains just 5 calories. Yet, it provides 14% of your Vitamin K needs.
It also contains nitrates which may improve exercise performance. Yay!
18. Cabbage
You may have heard of the cabbage soup diet back in the day. You may even have tried it.
But cabbage on its own does have its benefits.
One cup of shredded cabbage has 17.5 calories. And it’s a rich source of Vitamins C and K.
And you can use cabbage in so many ways. You can use it in soups, salads, coleslaw, and even stir-fries.
19. Grapefruit
Do you want to speed up your weight loss? Have a grapefruit or two.
½ a grapefruit contains only 39 calories. What’s more – just by eating ½ a grapefruit before each meal, you may be able to lose more than 5 percent of your body weight in 12 weeks.
So, have some grapefruit!
20. Asparagus
Thinking of firing up the grill? Throw on some asparagus.
One cup of asparagus contains 27 calories. And it is an excellent source of insoluble fiber, which may reduce ghrelin levels – your hunger hormone.
So, you end up eating less.
21. Lettuce
Where would we be without lettuce? Lettuce is the staple of so many salads.
One cup of shredded lettuce has only 8 calories. Yet, it provides 82% of your daily Vitamin A needs.
Besides using it in salads, you can use it to make lettuce wraps. One large lettuce leaf contains only 4.8 calories.
That’s compared to 133 calories for 2 slices of bread. Looking for a tasty lettuce wrap option? Try my Keto Chicken Salad Wraps.
22. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
“Enough of the veggies!” you’re probably yelling at me. “What about the protein?”
Well, you’ll be happy to hear that a 3.0 ounce serving of chicken breast contains 128 calories.
And it provides a whopping 26 grams of protein. Protein not only fills you up, but it also boosts your metabolism, so you lose more weight.
23. Shrimp
Is seafood more your thing? Feast on some shrimp.
A 3.0 oz serving of shrimp has only 84 calories. Yet, it provides 18 grams of protein.
It also contains heart-healthy omega-3s.
To keep the calories low, try not to saute it in butter. Instead, steam it or toss it on the grill.
Don’t have a grill? You can use a grill pan like this instead.
24. Flounder
Want even more seafood? Have some flounder.
A 3.0 oz serving of flounder contains 100 calories. Yet, it provides 21 grams of protein.
Like shrimp, it also contains heart-healthy omega-3s.
Looking for a tasty yet low-calorie flounder recipe? Give this Baked Flounder with Fresh Lemon Pepper recipe a try.
25. Scallops
Looking for a low-calorie yet indulgent dish for date night? Serve some scallops.
A 3.0 oz serving of scallops provides 94 calories. And it contains 19.5 grams of protein.
Besides being rich in omega-3s, scallops contain magnesium and phosphorus, which are vital for strong bones.
Looking for a low-calorie scallop recipe for date night? This Pan-fried Scallops with White Wine Garlic Sauce recipe is a winner.
And to add some ambiance, serve your scallops in fancy dinner platters. I like these ones here because they’re made with high-quality porcelain. So they are strong enough to put in the microwave, freezer, or dishwasher.