LoveToKnow Diet:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Diet

Comments

Hi Chick,

The foods aren't actually 0 when counting calories. The premise is that they burn more calories digesting than are in the food so while they count as calories in the total they help you lose weight faster.

Donna

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

So if you are counting these "zero" calorie foods and only with them are you about 1200, is that bad for you? I do count them, but if without them I end up around 700/day, am I not getting enough?

-- Contributed by: CHICK09

Hi Bob,

The idea is to use these foods as a healthy snack not as a complete diet. Every food has calories, and these are noted as zero calorie foods because they have the potential, when eaten sensibly, to help you lose weight.

Donna

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

I'm sorry but those are NOT negative calorie foods. Most of those are not even 0 calorie foods. Several of the fruits on that list can be eaten in such large quantities (because they dont fill you up) that you could get fat from them.

-- Contributed by: comments

Hi HL,

Really they are no zero calories, but supposedly negative calorie foods which means they burn more calories digesting than what are in the food. Personally, I think if you count calories you should count the calories in these foods, but know they are good choices because of the zero-calorie benefit. Make sense?

Donna

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

Hey - are you sure strawberries etc. are calorie-zero? They're full of (natural) sugars, so although it's natural, they do have calories in them..

-- Contributed by: HL

Hi Amie,

Learning to make wiser food choices will make a difference in your weight! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and let us know how much you enjoyed the article.

Donna

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

This is great. Use your head and think before you put it in your mouth. Try to eat 0-cal foods throughout the day...eat green beans and not the baked potatoes with butter and sour cream. Have some watermelon not ice cream, have your ice cream at your friends birthday. I know a lot of birthdays coming up and I know you do too. Thanks so much for the info!

-- Contributed by: amiebythesea

Hi Christine,

It is so important for people to educate themselves, to understand what terms like negative calories really means, however I'm with you. I'd like to see things labeled what they are--low calorie, high fiber, etc.

Donna

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

We need to stop using misleading terms like "negative calorie food" and instead use a correct description, such as "low calorie food".

The more that people use terms like "negative calorie food", the more scammers and snakeoil merchants are going to push this rubbish on an uninformed public.

-- Contributed by: Christine

Hi Beth,

Thanks so much for sharing that expertise. I does make sense.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

I use the site sparkpeople.com to help with my weight lose and here is what they had to say on the subject of negative calorie or zero calorie foods

Your body burns calories by digesting food, just as it does by maintaining many other biological and bodily functions. This is the concept behind the idea of "negative calorie" foods. The idea that there are negative calorie foods that are so low in calories that simply digesting them burns more calories than they contain is a popular theory. Certain low-calorie (and often water-rich) foods like celery or cucumbers are often touted as examples of negative calorie foods, but this concept is wishful thinking. There is no such thing as a negative-calorie food.

Digesting and absorbing food uses about 10% of your total calorie intake. For someone eating 1500-1800 calories daily, for example, only 150-180 calories are expended to completely digest and absorb EVERYTHING you eat in a day.

It is great to include low calorie, high fiber, and water-rich foods in your daily diet. These foods add nutrients, bulk, and volume to your diet, but they still contain calories and should always be included in your calorie count. No food is a "free" food; eating too much of any food can cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss.

Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

-- Contributed by: Beth Nelson

Hi Mary,

Your argument makes sense. However, you can argue about the technicalities of a negative calorie foods diet and whether it works the exact way as described. The bottom line is that if a majority of your diet consists of negative calorie foods, you're going to lose a lot of weight.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

Whatever... Calories is Calories! This is a myth that you burn enough calories while chewing to make up for the calories in an apple. Do you realize how many calories are in an apple. Not to mention if you're eating those and other fruits all day with that much sugar! RUBISH!

-- Contributed by: mary

Hi Linds,

The fruits listed take more calories to burn than are found in the fruit itself. That's what makes them zero calorie. It's not about getting no calories, but about burning more calories than you eat. That's the key to weight loss.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

in your list of negative calorie foods you list several fruits that have lots of sugar that will absolutely result in weight gain.

only way to be sure you are getting no calories is an all liquid diet with diet drinks and sugar free jell-o.

-- Contributed by: linds

Hi Heather,

If you eat too few calories on a regular basis your body goes into "survival mode" and your metabolism slows down to save energy. As a result you burn less calories. How many calories you need depends on your size, but many women successfully lose weight by keeping their calorie intake between 1,000-1,200.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

I was wondering, you say alot about it not being good for you to only eat no or low calorie foods. How is it any worse than the junk I was eating before? I'm absolutely desperate to lose weight now that I've started a low calorie diet, so how does it hurt you to eat very little calories? (Other than low energy)

-- Contributed by: Heather

Hi Garrett,

Zero calorie foods still have calories. The idea behind them is that your body burns more calories to digest them than the amount actually found in the food. With that said, I wouldn't recommend limiting your diet to zero calorie foods. The best way to lose weight is to eat a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and plenty of water. Along with this regular exercise is important. Within this healthy eating plan you can include zero calories foods as a way to help you lose weight faster.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

Hey, what would happen if we ate only negative cal. foods and took a supplement? Would that still be ok? And would that mean you have a 0 cal intake?

-- Contributed by: garrett

Hi Angie,

Yes fruits do contain natural healthy sugars and can benefit people trying to lose weight because it not only tastes good but is high in fiber. Fruit is also low in sodium and helps to reduce the chance of gaining water weight.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

yes, but! the sugars from the fruits like apples and strawberries are natural sugars they are different from artificial sugers, natural sugars can be healthy for you.

-- Contributed by: Angie

Hi Pat,

It is not that these foods have zero calories but the way that they work in the digestion process that causes the body to extend more calories to digest than they provide through their nutritional content. This is why they make the zero calorie foods list.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

Are you serious? Negative calories in in apples and other sugary fruits, you may want to edit the content of that list or try alittle fact checking as most calores in fruit come from sugar, not fiber.

-- Contributed by: Pat Green

Hi Melissa,

Changing out snacks like these for unhealthy junk food snacks will make a big difference. Good luck with reaching your weight loss goals.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

WOW! this is great! i have heard about negative calorie foods, but i always thought they were all the grosses vegetables and stuff, but to find out that i can eat mango,broccoli, lemons,orange, cu...ber, and even garlic! that makes me so excited to start eating healthier. im also 5'3" and weigh 164lbs. my goal is to get down to 140, which is where i was when i was happiest with my body. hopefully with this i wont feel bad anymore about eating a lot, because i can load up on all my favorite fruits and vegetables.

-- Contributed by: Melissa H

Hi Lucas,

Finding the calorie intake that works for you is individualized. For small people who need to lose weight a 1,200 calorie daily diet may be perfect. However, it's best to visit your doctor before beginning any diet plan. He will know your personal medical history and be able to determine your personal calorie needs during the weight loss process.

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

information about min 1200 calories is a bit misleading. the only thing you require to maintain healthy life is to get necessary protein and omega3 fat (you can get 3 pills daily) and if you get your multivitamin supplement then you dont need anything elkse. the problem is that when going on very low calorie diet your metabolism slows down but this is different story.

-- Contributed by: lucas

Hi Kristy,

That's a great goal, but don't be discouraged if you hit a slow down in weight loss after the initial 10-20 pounds. With a healthy diet and regular exercise 2 pounds a week is a realistic goal.

Be sure to check back in with us and let us know how it's going. Your success may just give another person the motivation they need to reach their goals too!

-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad

these tips are great because i am planning to start my diet soon and i dont want a quick fix or pop pills or any crazy fad i want a lifestyle in my eating habits and this is great considering that my goal is to only lose 10 pounds a month until i feel comfortable in my skin i am 5'3 220 pounds and 30 years I have been oveweight for 4 years now. So hopefully for my 31st birthday June 3 I'll be 50 pounds slimmer.

-- Contributed by: kristy finch
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