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Foods with the lowest calorie content table. The lowest calorie foods for weight loss. What to base your diet on

Today, millions of people struggle with excess weight (often unsuccessfully).

It is enough to study the list of low-calorie foods for weight loss and manage them skillfully. After all, the path to ideal shape begins in the kitchen.

What you need to know about calories when losing weight

Weight decreases if a person consumes fewer calories than he expends. Probably everyone knows that fatty foods are considered the most high-calorie foods. Therefore, when consumed excessively, the fat layer increases.

If a person wants to lose weight, then he needs to know which foods are low in calories. According to nutritionists, vegetables contain the least calories.

They do not contain fats, but they are rich in coarse dietary fiber (fiber). These are the remains of plant food with a hard fibrous structure. Fiber quickly satisfies hunger, cleanses the body of harmful accumulations, stimulates metabolism, slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, and reduces cholesterol concentrations.

The diet must contain the required amount of nutrients:

  1. Proteins of plant and animal origin – 45% to 55%.
  2. Fats of animal and vegetable origin – 70% to 30%.
  3. Starch, sugar, fiber - 70 - 75% to 20 - 25% and 5 - 10%.

Important! The energy value of the daily menu is at least 1000 – 1200 kcal. To get rid of 500 g of excess weight in 7 days, you need to make sure that your daily calorie deficit reaches 500 kcal. To achieve this goal, you need to spend 300 kcal in training and reduce your diet by 200 kcal.

To know which foods are low in calories, you need to study the calorie chart below.

Are low-calorie foods always good for you?

Low-calorie foods are high in complex carbohydrates and fiber. They take a long time to process, quickly and for a long time satisfy hunger, and allow you to maintain normal weight.

Low-calorie foods contain about 95% water, which contains no calories at all. They speed up metabolic processes and promote fat burning. If you use them every day, you can get rid of several centimeters on your stomach and sides in a month.

However, despite all the benefits of low-calorie food for weight loss, it should not be eaten in excessive quantities. Otherwise, you will get the opposite effect in the form of 1 - 2 extra pounds.

Most people who are losing weight believe that zero-fat foods will help them solve all their weight problems. However, this is not always the case. For example, low-fat milk contains a lot of minerals, but practically no vitamins. The fatty product is rich in nutrients.

Those losing weight should understand that if they consume excessive amounts of low-calorie foods, there is a possibility of weight gain. In addition, a low-calorie, low-fat diet negatively affects the body. Healthy fats are necessary for the synthesis of cell membranes, tissue biosynthesis, maintaining hormonal balance, and saturating cells with vitamins.

In addition, sometimes low-calorie products are supplemented with flavorings, thickeners, emulsifiers and other “chemicals” that are harmful to the body. A person cannot get enough of them, and eats more than is allowed. Then the body receives more calories than from 1 serving of regular food.

To lose weight without harm to your health, you need to combine low-calorie foods with complex carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats and fiber.

Lowest calorie food: calorie chart

“Foods without calories” include salads (cress, lettuce), cucumbers, white radishes, and tomatoes. There are no calories in water, but it helps reduce appetite and improve the appearance of the skin.

People who want to normalize weight are interested in which vegetables are considered low-calorie.

Vegetables: table with calories

Product, 100 g

Kcal

Proteins in g

Fats in g

Carbohydrate in g

Cucumber

Lettuce leaves

Radish

Asparagus

Spinach

Tomatoes

White cabbage

Green paprika

Cauliflower

Dill

Red paprika

Leek

Broccoli

Carrot

Beet

Brussels sprouts

Garlic

Parsley

Boiled beets

Green pea

Boiled potatoes

Fresh vegetables are the most useful, steamed are in second place in terms of concentration of nutrients, baked (without oil) is in third place, boiled is not fourth, and fried is in fifth place.

Table of the lowest-calorie fruits and berries

Product

Kcal

Squirrels

Fats

Carbohydrates

Cranberry

Cherry plum

Blackberry

Strawberry

Lemon

Strawberries

Grapefruit

Red Ribes

Black currant

Oranges

Raspberries

Melon

Apricots

Watermelon

Blueberry

Gooseberry

Peach

Pears

Plum

Apples

Cherry

Kiwi

A pineapple

Bananas

Avocado

Vegetables and fruits are ideal foods for losing weight. Healthy and tasty plant foods help normalize weight without harm to health.

Table of low-calorie cereal products

Product

Kcal

Proteins

Fats

Carbohydrates

Oatmeal on the water

Rice on water

Rice with milk

Barley on the water

Barley with milk

Class A pasta

Oatmeal with milk

Quinoa porridge on water

Semolina with milk

Boiled brown rice

Boiled lentils

Millet porridge on water

Buckwheat on the water

Quinoa is very useful for losing weight; this cereal is rich in proteins. Read about it in our article.

Important! Dairy products without sugar, fruit fillers, flavors, thickeners, etc. are truly healthy. Natural yoghurts and kefir based on starter cultures are especially healthy foods for losing weight.

Calorie table for healthy milk products

Product

Kcal

Squirrels

Fats

Carbohydrates

Serum

Kefir 0%

Milk 0.5%

Kefir 1%

Ryazhenka 1%

Milk 1%

Yogurt 1.5%

Kefir 2.5%

Milk 2.5%

Ryazhenka 2.5%

Tofu

Cottage cheese 0%

Cottage cheese 2%

Sour cream 10%

Cottage cheese 5%

Cottage cheese 9%

Zero-fat dairy products slow down the absorption of nutrients. Nutritionists advise those losing weight to opt for fermented milk from 1 - 2.5%.

Low-calorie fish and seafood

Product

Kcal

Squirrels

Fats

Carbohydrates

Kelp

Boiled mussels

Boiled cod

Boiled pike

Boiled pollock

Boiled crab

Hake after cooking

Boiled trout

Shrimps

Boiled oysters

Canned tuna

Zander

Boiled cancer

Flounder

Nutritionists advise boiling fish in a slow cooker.

Periodically, those losing weight should eat fatty fish (mackerel, sturgeon).

Low-calorie meat and eggs

Product

Kcal

Squirrels

Fats

Carbohydrates

Egg white

Yolk

Egg

Boiled veal kidneys

Beef brains

Boiled veal

Boiled white chicken meat

Quail eggs

Boiled lean beef

Boiled turkey

Boiled beef tongue

Nuts and oils are high-calorie, but healthy foods that should be included in the diet.

Calorie content of nuts and oils

Product

Kcal

Squirrels

Fats

Carbohydrates

Peanut

Sunflower seeds

Almond

Walnut

Olive oil

Flaxseed oil

Corn oil

Sunflower oil

Hazelnut

The optimal amount of fat in a diet is from 25 g. The absence of fat negatively affects the menstrual cycle, the condition of the skin, blood vessels, liver, immune system, and central nervous system.

The most satisfying and nutritious food with low calorie content

Hunger often plagues people who are trying to lose weight. Therefore, they are interested in the question of which foods with the minimum amount of calories are the most satisfying. This is a very common food that can be found in almost every kitchen.

Top most satisfying foods:

  1. Fish, meat (lean varieties), legumes. Such foods are rich in protein, which the body spends on its own needs. These are nutritious foods that quickly reduce appetite.
  2. Potatoes are the most satisfying food. It fills you up faster than bread, but 1 medium fruit contains 160 kcal.
  3. Class A pasta. 100 g of product contains about 350 kcal, but they are filling, so you can’t eat a lot of them.
  4. Oatmeal with water is a healthy and satisfying breakfast food. In addition, it is beneficial for the digestive tract.
  5. Eggs contain no more than 80 kcal/100 g. 1 boiled egg will help satisfy your hunger until your next meal.
  6. Orange is the most nutritious citrus fruit. The calorie content of 1 fruit is approximately 60 kcal.
  7. Milk, cottage cheese, cheeses. According to nutritionists, it is better to consume a product with medium fat content, it contains more nutrients and satisfies hunger faster. Cottage cheese with medium and high fat content is also suitable for a diet, the main thing is to follow the norm. Soft cheeses contain lanolin acid, which accelerates fat burning and quickly saturates.
  8. Dark chocolate is also filling and reduces cravings for sweets and smoked foods. 100 g of product contains more than 600 kcal.

If you combine low-calorie foods with nourishing foods, the process of losing weight will be easy and safe for your health.

What nutritionists say

According to nutritionists, it is best for a weight loss program to be developed by a nutrition specialist. When creating a menu, you need to take into account gender, age, weight, height, lifestyle, and general health. The mental state of a person is also of great importance. Frequent stress disrupts a woman’s hormonal levels and slows down metabolic processes.

Experts believe that a diet with low-calorie foods will be effective if you reduce the nutritional value of the diet to 1500 - 1000 kcal. Anything below is dangerous to health. Therefore, the best weight loss is slow but safe.

Tatyana Zaletova, nutritionist

According to the doctor, you can lose weight by no more than 5 kg in 4 weeks, since with rapid weight loss, muscle tissue is lost along with fat.

The specialist highlighted the basic principles of losing weight using low-calorie foods:

  1. The calorie content of the diet should be reduced by 20–30% by reducing fats and simple carbohydrates.
  2. Fill your menu with lean protein foods that will increase muscle mass and speed up fat burning.
  3. Eliminate sugar, sweets, and soda from the menu. Instead of junk food, it is recommended to consume sources of complex carbohydrates: whole grain bread, cereals, etc.
  4. Reduce the amount of salt you consume.
  5. Avoid alcohol.
  6. Take food in small portions, 150–200 g each serving.

In addition, do not forget about water and physical activity.

Konstantin Ovsyannikov, nutritionist

According to the doctor, a person should not gain more than 1 - 2 kg in 10 years.

The calorie content of the diet when losing weight is 1100 - 1200 kcal, of which 20% is fat. For example, a person can eat 60 g of nuts or 29 g of olive oil per day. 60 g of protein can be obtained from cottage cheese with medium fat content or dietary meat. The diet needs to be replenished with complex carbohydrates, for example, cereals, bran bread, and plant foods.

The nutritionist believes that the menu should be based on proteins and fiber. The optimal way to heat treat food is steaming or baking (without oil). You need to eat at least 5 times a day. The evening meal should be planned before 19.00. Anyone losing weight should drink 2 liters of water, as well as green tea. Fresh juices, fruit drinks, and compotes increase the calorie content of the menu.

Lidia Ionova, nutritionist

A certified specialist claims that they get better not from the amount of food, but from skipping it. The nutritionist advises to always have breakfast to jump-start your metabolism and speed up fat burning. It is recommended to consume proteins and complex carbohydrates in the morning.

A low-calorie diet will help you lose weight from 3 to 5 kg per week. However, in order to maintain the result, you need to gradually increase the calorie content of the menu and continue to eat properly.

The nutritionist reminds that you should not eat low-calorie foods for more than a week, because there is a risk of exhaustion of the body and metabolic disorders. In addition, over time, the body gets used to the new eating style and fat burning occurs more slowly.

Main conclusions

To lose weight on a low-calorie diet, you need to follow these rules:

  1. Use fewer calories than you consume.
  2. The nutritional value of the diet should not be lower than 1000 kcal.
  3. Replenish the menu with low-calorie plant foods, cereals, dietary meat, fish, eggs, dairy products with medium fat content, and seafood.
  4. Don't give up healthy fats: nuts, vegetable oils, fatty fish and dairy products. But keep to the norm.
  5. Combine low-calorie foods with filling, low-energy meals.
  6. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water, eat at least 5 times a day, and exercise.
  7. Don't go on a low-calorie diet for more than a week.

If you cannot create a diet yourself, then contact a nutritionist who will develop an individual weight loss program.

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A lot of people promise themselves to start eating right on Monday. It turns out that this is not the case for everyone. An even smaller percentage of these people will stick to this diet for at least a year. Very few people can make proper nutrition their way of life. To help your body “not break down” ahead of time, it is important to monitor what and how you eat.

Healthy diet to combat excess weight

Obesity is becoming a big problem for humanity. It’s not even the couple of extra pounds itself that is scary, but what follows it—various diseases.

As a rule, excess weight is not limited to the development of shortness of breath or heart problems. Every organ, without exception, suffers from this. In most cases, excess weight leads to diabetes, and this diagnosis will stay with its owner throughout life, depriving him of the opportunity to enjoy food, and sometimes even his favorite pastime.

Consumption will help avoid such consequences. It is important that such nutrition becomes a way of life. It is necessary not only to select the right and healthy products, but also to be able to prepare them, and also to monitor what a person eats outside the home.

Any dish from a restaurant, even the most expensive one, will be much higher in calories than a similar dish prepared at home. Therefore, it is best to limit trips to cafes, and when visiting them, still give preference to vegetable dishes, light berry desserts and soft drinks, since alcohol can increase or cause a feeling of hunger.

Nutrition when dieting

In the process of losing weight, the main problem is the need to balance your diet. When reducing the amount of kilocalories consumed, it is important to maintain the proportions between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. To do this, it is important to remember that you cannot completely exclude fats or carbohydrates from your diet. Even though proteins are the “building material,” it is impossible to achieve a long-term positive effect from the diet without a sufficient amount of the remaining two organic substances.

Another important point in losing weight is drinking the required amount of water. On average, this figure is 1800-2000 milliliters per day. This may sound funny, but the lowest calorie product for every day can be called water. Of course, if you only drink it, it won’t do any good, but at the very beginning of the diet, you can deceive your stomach in this way. If you really want to eat, and it’s already midnight, then you can drink a glass of warm water.

Nutrition for certain types of diseases

Knowledge of recipes for dishes made from low-calorie foods is needed not only for those losing weight. People with digestive problems also often follow this diet. Cholecystitis, diabetes mellitus and many other diseases require a special diet. In some cases, life may depend on it.

Foods high in fat and carbohydrates trigger the release of insulin, which is bad for people with diabetes. Patients with cholecystitis may experience discomfort after eating such dishes and products.

Diet for gastritis and duodenal ulcers should be as low in calories as possible. At a minimum, fatty and heavy foods will cause stomach discomfort, but can also lead to more serious consequences: hospitalization and surgery.

In order to make your diet healthy and safe, it is important to know what foods to eat, how to prepare them and even how to store them. But the most important thing is not to be lazy and calculate the calorie content of the foods you eat. Special tables and lists of low-calorie foods can help people with this. For counting, it is best to have a notebook. For a simpler and faster calculation, special scales are suitable that show the content of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

List of low-calorie foods

Many people think that to be fully satisfied they need to eat something substantial: mashed potatoes with a cutlet, fish soup, potato salad and, of course, dessert. If these dishes are not present in the diet, it seems that the person is not eating well. Any diet is primarily associated with something tasteless. It seems that a person will have to eat “grass”. This is, of course, not true.

Low-calorie and tasty foods are found in nature. For example, fruits, berries, dairy products. This diet is ideal for many girls and women. Although for men it will be a little "poor".

For example, low-calorie dairy products include low-fat cottage cheese and milk, as well as kefir and yoghurts without added sugar. They can be consumed at any time of the day and not worry about the consequences. Unfortunately, such low-calorie foods cannot be called satisfying.

To maintain your diet, you can also give preference to vegetables. Below is a small table with the calorie content of the main fruit crops.

The most high-calorie vegetable is potatoes. 100 grams of product can contain 80-100 kcal. If potatoes are boiled with salt and then seasoned with butter or milk, then their usefulness is reduced by another one and a half or even two times. Therefore, anyone trying to stick to a low-calorie diet should limit their potato intake. The same applies to soups. The calorie content of such dishes can be very, very high, but the benefits can be minimal.

Salad is not a panacea

A very big mistake of people who try to follow proper nutrition is their true belief that any dish made from the lowest-calorie foods will be healthy. This is, of course, not true. The method of preparation and the additional ingredients used in the dishes are also important. For example, a salad that uses mayonnaise in the dressing will not be healthy. Likewise, lean beef fried in vegetable oil turns into “forbidden fruit.”

Uncontrolled consumption of sweet fruits and berries will also not benefit the diet. Grapes can contain up to 70 kcal per 100 grams of product. At first glance it may seem that this is not so much. But even the simplest fruit salad (apples + kiwi + banana) can contain up to 200 kcal. Such a dish will no longer be low-calorie, although it can still claim to be healthy.

Vegetable salads are also not always 100% healthy. For example, a salad with fresh carrots and white cabbage will be quite healthy, but if you add potatoes and dressing (butter, mayonnaise, sauce or sour cream) to it, then it will definitely not be included in the list of the lowest-calorie foods and dishes.

Myths about sweets

If during the day 100% of the calories eaten account for no more than 10% of the calories obtained from various goodies, then this will not cause any problems. But you need to give up sugar in tea and coffee. You should not add it to homemade fruit drinks and compotes. Sugar significantly increases the calorie content of any food and dish.

Those with a sweet tooth don't have to give up sweets completely. You can simply give preference to safer goodies: marmalade (without sugar sprinkles), oatmeal cookies, rye gingerbread, dark and bitter chocolate, marshmallows, sorbet ice cream or sugar-free maple syrup.

You can replace sweets with dried fruits, nuts or fresh berries. For desserts, white low-fat yoghurts without sugar with the addition of fruits or berries are suitable. You can also add a couple of spoons of honey or maple syrup to your morning diet.

How to balance your diet?

The amount of carbohydrates, fats and proteins consumed during the day should be proportional. You can't completely eliminate fats or carbohydrates. Therefore, you can leave in the diet rice, spaghetti and durum wheat pasta, some cereals, rye bread, some sauces and dressings (in particular, mustard, wasabi or tomato paste).

Eggs can only be consumed boiled; scrambled eggs and omelettes are prohibited, but this product cannot be completely excluded from the diet. The same applies to cheeses. It is only important to choose durum varieties with a low fat content (no more than 40%, and preferably 20-25%).

You need to eat small portions every 2.5-3 hours, drink enough water, and limit yourself to coffee and black tea.

Myths about flour

Buns and gingerbreads should be consumed with caution, but you should not forget about them once and for all. Flour in the diet responds to some B vitamins, the absence of which in the diet in sufficient quantities can lead to problems in the future.

It is better to choose “yesterday’s” baked goods made from oatmeal, rye or any durum wheat flour. There is also no need to buy buns with glaze and sugar sprinkles; donuts and white yeast dough are strictly forbidden.

Heat treatment: for or against

It is generally accepted that fresh vegetables and fruits are more beneficial. The way it is. If possible, they should be consumed raw. They can also be steamed or “dried” in the oven. Frying and deep-frying are strictly contraindicated for those who suffer from various gastrointestinal diseases or are trying to lose weight.

Grape seed, olive or truffle oil can be consumed “fresh”. It’s both tastier and healthier this way. One spoon of such oil per serving of salad will not harm the body and will help you quickly absorb a number of microelements. Frying with such oils is actually equivalent to frying with ordinary sunflower oil.

What to cook?

Simple and easy-to-prepare salads from the lowest-calorie products are known to everyone: “Spring”, “Vitamin”, “Caesar”, “Carrot”, “Beets with sour cream” and others. They will take very little time to prepare. It is best to season such dishes with low-fat kefir, sour cream with a fat content of no more than 10%, white yogurt, and a spoonful of vegetable oil.

As an afternoon snack, you can serve sliced ​​vegetables or fruits without dressing or with whipped sour cream without sugar. You can also mix berries or fruits with low-fat dairy products in a blender, getting a kind of mousse.

Desserts can be easily prepared from nuts, berries, dried fruits, and oatmeal cookie crumbs. This could be homemade low-fat ice cream (from banana and white yogurt), cookies made from rye flour or ground almonds, dried fruit candies without icing, yogurt with marshmallows.

You can also make light cocktails based on berries, vegetables, fruits and mineral water, lemonades, and homemade vegetable juices. It is not recommended to add sugar to such drinks. In extreme cases, it can be replaced with sucralose.

How not to fail when dieting?

The hardest thing to survive is the first three weeks of healthy eating, then the body begins to get used to it. To reduce temptation, you need to get rid of all the high-calorie foods you have in the house, stop going to cafes and restaurants, and immediately create a menu of healthy and healthy foods.

If there are other residents in the house who do not agree to eat healthy, low-calorie foods, then it is better to store all “unhealthy foods” in a separate box. They shouldn’t even be visible, otherwise it won’t be easy to resist the temptation.

In the first couple of months, it is better to keep some of your usual products. To do this, you need to choose the least harmful ones. For example, you can not limit yourself to sweet and somewhat high-calorie fruits (grapes, bananas) or allow yourself to eat a little more dark chocolate. When the body reacts more calmly to such a diet, you can switch to a completely healthy diet.

Hearty and low-calorie foods nutrition must be included in the daily menu for those people who decide to take the path of losing weight, leading to strengthening the body and improving their figure. It has been established that the food a person eats has a direct effect on the energy level of his body.

Therefore, both the decrease and increase in vitality and energy completely depends on the food consumed and its calorie level. It is important to know that there is a whole range of food products that can have a positive effect on the body’s condition, increase a person’s energy and not add a single extra kilogram. In this article, we’ll talk in more detail about what affects the level of calorie content of food consumed, what non-calorie and low-calorie foods are, and also consider lists of low-calorie plant, animal and dairy foods.

The most important criterion determining the level of calorie content of food is the concentration of fat. Low-calorie foods should contain a reduced concentration of fatty components, since when they are digested, the release of calories increases several times, and when carbohydrate and protein compounds are broken down, the number of calories released decreases. It is important to remember that dietary foods should contain the optimal amount of plant fiber and carbohydrate compounds.

Easily digestible carbohydrate compounds enable the human body to easily cope with the calories produced from fat components. A sufficient level of consumption of plant fiber will ensure a long-lasting state of satiety in the body, since the processes of its absorption require a long period of time. And the last most important criterion that influences the level of calorie content of products is the water content, which contains no calories at all. Therefore, the higher the water content of a product, the lower its caloric content will be.

List of low calorie plant foods

Fiber is the fibrous structure of vegetation that helps reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood and slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the human body.

Please note: that the lowest calorie foods are plant foods, in the form of herbs, tea, fruits, berries and vegetables, which contain a huge amount of mineral components, vitamin complexes and dietary fiber.

But the leading position in the list of low-calorie foods is still occupied by vegetables. One striking example is broccoli, which contains only 33 kilocalories per 100 grams, but at the same time has enormous benefits for the human body. It contains a high concentration of proteins, calcium and magnesium. In addition, if you use broccoli for effective weight loss, then in addition to the necessary benefits, this product helps prevent the occurrence of cancer. It is recommended to eat broccoli raw or boiled, but when boiling it is not recommended to overcook this type of cabbage to prevent loss of nutrients.

Carrots are a rich source of beneficial carotenoids and contain 35 kilocalories per 100 grams of product. Promotes antioxidant effects on the body, increases immunity, improves the quality of vision and normalizes intestinal motility. Another interesting vegetable is the artichoke, which contains 40 kilocalories per 100 grams. Its beneficial properties include the content of potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, enzymes and sugars, which allows you to control the concentration of sugar in the blood and strengthen all organ systems.

Table of the lowest calorie foods

In addition to the vegetables presented, there is also a list of dietary products that will be useful for weight loss.

Let's look at them using the following table as an example:

Calorie levels in plant foods
Product name Number of kilocalories per 100 g.
Eggplant 24
Parsley 49
Zucchini 27
Potato 83
Celery 32
Red cabbage 31
Leek 40
Onion 43
Red and green bell peppers 27/23
White cabbage 28
Beet 48
Turnip 28
Cauliflower 29
Parsley 47

Fruit crops contain fructose, but despite this, they are also low-calorie foods. To get the maximum benefit from fruits when losing weight, it is recommended to consume them in small portions in the first half of the day. One hundred grams of grapefruit can contain about 34 kilocalories. This fruit is one of the most important aids for people losing weight, as it helps to overcome the feeling of hunger and reduce appetite.

Interesting! It has been established that only a quarter of a grapefruit helps burn 750-800 kcal.

Pineapple 100 gr. contains 46-48 kilocalories and helps reduce blood pressure, restore the functioning of the digestive organs and remove toxins and toxic substances from the body. Burns calories with the same efficiency as papaya.

100 grams of papaya contain 43 kilocalories. Contains a high concentration of enzyme compounds that help the body quickly absorb proteins and burn fat components. To get the maximum benefit from this fruit, you should eat papaya during your main meal, as its effect in the digestive tract is short-lived.

Let's consider other fruit and berry crops that will also be useful for losing weight using the following table as an example:

List of low calorie meat products

It is good to consume plant foods during intensive weight loss, but it is not recommended to completely exclude meat from your diet, since a prolonged absence of meat products in the diet of a losing weight person can lead to exhaustion. This is due to the fact that plant foods do not contain those beneficial components for the human body that are found in meat.

Proteins that make up meat take part in the structure of muscle fibers, due to which a person’s physical activity increases, which contributes to greater calorie burning during a diet. When losing weight, preference should be given to rabbit, beef, white poultry meat and veal, as these are the lowest-calorie and at the same time satisfying foods. The caloric content of meat ingredients is presented below:

List of dairy products with minimal calories

When losing weight, dairy products should also be included in the diet, since, like plant foods, they help increase the rate of fat burning, thanks to caltrocil, which is produced with the help of calcium, which is part of most dairy ingredients.

Milk contains lactose, minerals, protein, vitamins and components that ensure the dissolution of fats. Let's look at the most popular nutritious low-calorie dairy products using the following table as an example:

Calorie level in dairy products
Name of product Number of kcal per 100 g.
Cream 10% 118
Sour cream 10% 116
Kefir (fat) 59
Yogurt 1.5% 51
Low-fat kefir 30
Skim cheese 86
Cottage cheese with medium fat content 156
Milk and curdled milk 58
Ryazhenka 85
Condensed milk without sugar 135

Top foods with the lowest calorie content

In addition to nutritious low-calorie foods, there are ingredients with very low and zero calories. For example, greens can contain from 0 to 50 kcal. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in the preparation of various dishes, in the form of salads and cocktails, and also as a decoration for the first or second. It is recommended to use fresh greens, as they contain phytonutrients, vitamin complexes and micronutrient complexes. For example, asparagus and pumpkin, which contain 20 kcal, help remove excess fluid. Asparagus contains amino acids, due to which it has a diuretic and detoxifying effect. To lose weight from 5 kg, it is recommended to eat up to half a kilogram of these products every month.

100 grams of salad contains 15 kilocalories and a huge amount of useful components and vitamin complexes, which is very important when losing weight. Helps enhance the immune system's defenses and helps regulate the circulatory system. Contains 100 gr. garlic contains 4 kcal, moreover, it has a powerful bactericidal and antioxidant effect and prevents the development of oncology and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Green and black tea do not contain any calories at all, but at the same time they are a powerful antioxidant substance. Reduces the risk of heart attack and has a preventive effect against the development of cancer. Let's look at a small list of low-calorie foods:

From the listed list of all low-calorie ingredients, you can create an entire varied and nutritious diet that will help each person lose weight as effectively as possible, restore the immune system and prevent the development of serious pathologies.

The calorie content of a product is an indicator that determines the amount of energy generated when it is consumed as a result of the digestive act. Different groups of compounds: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, during the process of absorption, release different amounts of energy.

The total calorie content of food is the sum of the amount of energy generated by the processing of all groups of compounds in the body.

Fats, when digested, form 9.3 kcal/g (kilocalories/gram); proteins – 4.5 kcal/g; carbohydrates – 4.1 kcal/g of product.

To ensure the full functioning of a woman’s body, 1500 kcal per day is needed, for a man’s body – 2200 kcal/day. Low-calorie foods are considered to be those that have no more than 100 kcal per 100 g of weight.

Factors affecting the calorie content of foods

The calorie content of a product is determined by its chemical composition, content and amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The energy value of consuming a product depends on its digestibility, the state of the intestinal microflora, the digestive system and the normal functioning of metabolism in the body.

An important factor influencing calorie content is the heat treatment of food. Cooking and frying the product increases its energy value.

This must be taken into account when preparing salads and creating a low-calorie menu.

The calorie content of a product also depends on the degree of its grinding and mixing: the more crushed the product, the easier its particles are absorbed by the body, retaining energy reserves not spent on chewing food. For example, products crushed to a puree state are easily absorbed by the body and broken down in it, without requiring energy consumption.

In this case, the unused energy of the product is deposited in the body in the form of fat.

List of the lowest calorie foods for weight loss

First of all, it is worth noting that water contains no calories at all; it helps transport oxygen to cells, provide them with nutrients and ensure that cells are saturated with fluid. Taking this into account, in the absence of contraindications, it is necessary to consume a sufficiently large amount of water per day - about 30 ml per kilogram of a person’s weight.

Other low-calorie drinks:

  • green tea;
  • cocoa.

Greens have a calorie content from 0 to 50 kcal/100g and are characterized by a high content of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body. For example, celery greens have 0 kcal/100g, but since the body spends a certain amount of energy on its processing, its calorie content is considered completely negative.

Low-calorie sources of greens:

Raw vegetables are beneficial in terms of low calorie content and high levels of vitamins and minerals. The energy value of vegetables ranges from 11 kcal for cucumbers and up to 80 for potatoes.

Low-calorie vegetables:

Fruits differ from vegetables in having coarser dietary fiber and a higher carbohydrate content. Cherry plum has the lowest energy value, only 27 kcal/100g.

In general, the calorie content of the most commonly used fruits, depending on the ripeness and variety, ranges from 30–70 kcal/100g. The calorie content of berries varies from 26 kcal for cranberries to 65 for grapes.

Low-calorie fruits and berries:

Cereals, in particular cereals, are also characterized by low calorie content, and it is significantly influenced by the cooking process. For example, for buckwheat with an energy value of 310 kcal/100g, it is reduced threefold when cooked.

Bakery and flour products are characterized by high calorie content, however, with a decrease in the type of flour, it decreases, and the nutritional value increases.

Low calorie baked goods:

  • Rye bread;
  • various coarse breads;
  • waffle cakes for cooking.

Fish is an excellent source of low-calorie animal protein, which is 78 kcal for cod, and 153 kcal for herring. Seafood contains 95 kcal/100g, mussels – 50 kcal, and kelp only 5 kcal.

Low-calorie types of fish and seafood:

Dairy products in which the calorie content is directly dependent on the fat content of the product and is 31 kcal for skim milk, and 58 kcal for milk with 3.2% fat content. This difference is more significant for cottage cheese - 88 kcal and 160 kcal for low-fat and 9% cottage cheese, respectively.

Low-calorie dairy products:

  • natural yogurt (1.5% fat);
  • curdled milk;
  • milk;
  • fermented baked milk;
  • low-fat cottage cheese
  • kefir.

The lowest calorie meat products are offal (except chicken), the energy value of which is: for kidneys - 88-98 kcal, liver - 105-109 kcal, heart - 96-101 kcal.

Low-calorie meat products:

Table of the lowest calorie foods

Find out the TOP 10 best low-calorie foods from the video.

One of the most used dishes on the low-calorie diet menu is salad. However, when preparing it, it is necessary to take into account that its energy value consists of the calorie content of the sauce of the main components of the salad.

When selecting the ingredients of a dish, it is necessary to take into account the approximate calorie content of each product.

Low-calorie salads are prepared on the basis of lettuce, fruits and raw vegetables, for example, using lettuce, arugula, chicory, celery, cabbage, spinach. You can add components to the salad, including protein, boiled or grilled lean meat, seafood and low-fat fish, eggs and low-fat cottage cheese.


Preparing dietary dishes for weight loss should follow the rule: if it contains a high-calorie product, all other components should have low energy value.

The rule of making a low-calorie salad is to use the right dressing. For dressing such salads, it is better to use soy sauce, a small amount (a couple of tablespoons) of any vegetable oil with vinegar, low-fat yogurt, sour store-bought sour cream or apple cider vinegar.

Recipes for low-calorie dishes for weight loss

Berry cocktail

Mix a third of a glass of milk with 250 g of low-fat yogurt without sugar. Add half a glass of any berries to the resulting mixture.

Mix everything thoroughly and get a cocktail with 170 kcal/serving.

Salad with chicken and champignons

Chicken fillet (200 g) and mushrooms (300 g) are boiled in lightly salted water. The onion is peeled, cut into half rings and steamed to remove bitterness. Eggs (4 pcs) are boiled, peeled and crushed into cubes.

Chicken and champignons are also cut into cubes. The chopped mushroom and chicken mixture is mixed with the eggs. onions and green peas (0.5 cans).

The salad is dressed with yogurt, salt and pepper are added to taste, and mixed.

Salad with garlic

Boil until tender, without peeling, 2 potatoes and 2 carrots. Without cooling, peel the carrots and potatoes and cut into medium-sized cubes.

Finely chop two cloves of garlic and add to the warm chopped potatoes and carrots. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the salad and let the dish sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.

Caution: Foods That Contribute to Weight Gain

We looked at low-calorie foods above and some dishes that can be prepared from them. But it is equally important to learn about those foods that, on the contrary, have a high calorie content, so that you can exclude them from your diet if you are determined to lose weight.

Eating foods with a high concentration of fat leads to blockage of blood vessels, atherosclerosis, strokes and heart attacks. The most high-calorie foods are those prepared by frying, and the product with the highest energy value is sunflower oil, which has as much as 900 kcal.

So, pay attention!

Products with high fat concentration:

Since foods differ in energy and nutritional value, it is desirable that water, fiber and proteins predominate in the diet - in this case, weight loss will occur due to the processing of fats, rather than a decrease in muscle mass.

It is preferable to use in the menu products containing carbohydrates that are difficult to digest.

To lose weight, foods must be prepared in a certain way, reducing the number of calories in the product (stewing, baking, steaming).

A list of low-calorie foods for weight loss can be found in the video.


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Products with low calorie content must necessarily form the diet of a person who has decided to make his body slimmer. It is known that food directly affects the body's energy. And the increase, as well as the decrease in vital energy, depends on the food consumed. However, there are healthy foods that have a beneficial effect on a person’s health and energy, without adding extra pounds.

Reduced fat content is one of the main criteria for low-calorie foods. Since calorie production doubles when fat is broken down. When breaking down carbohydrates and proteins, the opposite is true.

Low-calorie foods should contain sufficient carbohydrates and fiber.

Carbohydrates, which are easily digested, allow the body to easily cope with the calories that come from fat. But the high fiber content will allow the body to be in a state of satiety for quite a long time, since it takes a long time to digest.

And the most important thing is the high water content. Since there are no calories in water at all, and based on this, the more water a product contains, the less room there will be for fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

The lowest calorie foods for weight loss are plant foods


Fiber is the fibrous part of plants that lowers cholesterol levels and slows down the body's absorption of carbohydrates. Thus, it turns out that the lowest-calorie foods can be considered plant foods.

These are herbs, spices, teas, vegetables, fruits and berries that contain many minerals, dietary fiber and vitamins. And yet, the record holders for low calorie content are vegetables.

For example, broccoli contains 33 kilocalories per 100g, and has many useful qualities due to its composition. Broccoli contains: calcium, proteins, magnesium.

In addition to the benefits of using this product for weight loss, there is also the fact that broccoli prevents cancer. Broccoli is consumed boiled and raw.

Helpful advice: Do not overcook broccoli to avoid losing important nutrients.

In 100g carrots, which is a source of carotenoids – 35 kilocalories. The benefits of carrots are great, due to its antioxidant effect, it strengthens the immune system, increases intestinal motility, and is good for vision.

100g contains 40 kilocalories. Artichoke nourishes the human body with important components: potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium. And thanks to the complex of enzymes and sugars it contains, it is able to have a beneficial effect and normalize blood sugar levels.

You can also highlight other vegetables and herbs that will be useful in the process of losing weight. Among these minimally calorie-containing foods are:

  • Eggplants – 24 kcal;

  • Parsley – 49 kcal;

  • Potatoes – 83 kcal;

  • Zucchini – 27 kcal;

  • Celery root – 32 kcal;

  • Red cabbage – 31 kcal;

  • Leek – 40 kcal;

  • Red and green peppers – 27/23 kcal;

  • Turnips and white cabbage – 28 kcal;

  • Beets – 48 kcal;

  • Onions – 43 kcal;

  • Cauliflower – 29 kcal;

  • Parsley root – 47 kcal.

Fruits, like vegetables and greens, are low in calories, even though they contain fructose. For fruits to be effective during weight loss, you need to consume them during the day, preferably before lunch and in small portions.

100g of grapefruit contains about 35 kilocalories. Perhaps the best assistant for losing weight. It has such a quality as the ability to suppress appetite. It will be enough to drink a glass of juice or eat a little grapefruit and hunger, no matter what. It is known that ¼ of a grapefruit burns up to 800 kcal.

The calorie content of pineapple per 100g is 48 kilocalories. Pineapple is able to cleanse the body of toxins, lower blood pressure, and regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). Burns calories, just like papaya.

Papaya contains 43 kilocalories in 100g. Its composition contains a large number of enzymes that help absorb proteins and burn fats. It is best to eat papaya during meals, as its effects do not last long.

In addition to the fruits already mentioned, the following fruits and berries will be useful in the process of losing weight:

  • Lemon – 31 kcal;

  • Apricot – 46 kcal;

  • Orange, tangerine, red currant – 38 kcal;

  • Pear – 42 kcal;

  • Cranberry – 28 kcal;

  • Raspberries and strawberries – 41 kcal;

  • Plum – 43 kcal;

  • Gooseberries and peach – 44 kcal;

  • Black currant – 40 kcal;

  • Pomegranate – 52 kcal;

  • Apple – 46 kcal.

The lowest calorie meat products


Plant foods are good for weight loss, but you should not exclude meat products from your diet.

A long-term absence of meat in the diet of a losing weight person threatens the lack of useful substances in the body that are not found in plant foods.

Proteins, which come from meat products, constitute an important component in muscle building. Thanks to the work of muscles, physical activity allows us to burn the required amount of calories.

The body will spend more energy burning proteins rather than digesting fats and carbohydrates.

When choosing meat, you should give preference to rabbit meat, lean cuts of veal and beef, and white poultry meat. The listed products are quite filling. Their calorie content is as follows:

  • Lamb kidneys – 77 kcal;

  • Beef – 187 kcal;

  • Beef udder, brains, kidneys, heart, tongue - 173/124/66/87/163 kcal;

  • Turkey – 197 kcal;

  • Horsemeat – 143 kcal;

  • Rabbit – 199 kcal;

  • Chicken – 165 kcal;

  • Pork liver, kidneys, heart – 108/80/89 kcal;

  • Veal – 90 kcal;

  • Chicken – 156 kcal.

Lowest calorie dairy products

It is useful to include dairy products in your diet, which can burn fat just like vegetable products.

They have this ability thanks to calcitrol, which is produced with the help of calcium, which is abundant in dairy products.

Milk contains important components: lactose, protein, mineral trace elements and substances, fat-soluble vitamins.

Low-calorie dairy products include the following:

  • 10% cream – 118 kcal;

  • 10% sour cream – 116 kcal;

  • Full-fat kefir – 59 kcal;

  • Natural yogurt (1.5% fat) – 51 kcal;

  • Low-fat kefir – 30 kcal;

  • Low-fat cottage cheese – 86 kcal;

  • Half-fat cottage cheese – 156 kcal;

  • Curdled milk and milk – 58 kcal;

  • Ryazhenka – 85 kcal;

  • Condensed milk (no sugar) – 135 kcal.

Which foods are the lowest in calories: a review of the leaders (up to 20 kcal)

In addition to low-calorie and medium-calorie foods, there are foods with minimal or zero calories.

For example, calories greenery can be from 0 to 50 kcal. It will be very useful to use greens in the preparation of various dishes, they are especially suitable for salads, as well as in cocktails, use them as a sprinkle for second and first courses.

It is best to eat fresh greens, as they contain components such as vitamins and microelements, phytonutrients.

Eg, asparagus(20 kcal) and pumpkin(20-22 kcal) are needed to remove excess fluid in the body. Asparagus contains amino acids, as a result of which it is a diuretic and a kind of “food detoxifier”. If you want to lose weight up to 5 kg, then you need to consume 0.5 kg of these products daily for a month.

In 100g salad contains 15 kilocalories. The salad contains a lot of different useful elements and vitamins. Boosts the immune system and is an aid in blood regulation.

The product that brings the greatest benefit is considered to be - kale. The kilocalorie content per 100g is very low - only 5 kcal. Contains folic acid, vitamins, iron, manganese and phytonutrients.

How can we not remember such an important product as garlic - the calorie content of which is 4 kilocalories. It, like kale, helps fight cancer. It also reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and is a strong antioxidant.

Chilli– 20 kilocalories per 100g of product. Stimulates the production of a natural analgesic. Protects the body from premature aging. Has the same functions as garlic and kale.

Tea(white, green, black) does not contain any calories at all, just like water. Tea is a strong antioxidant. Reduces the likelihood of a heart attack and is a good remedy for cancer prevention. There are many beneficial properties of tea: fluoride, creates safety for teeth; antispasmodic; anti-inflammatory; anti-allergenic.

Here is a few more list of low-calorie foods that will dilute your diet and benefit the body:

  • Cucumber – 15 kcal;

  • Sea cabbage – 5 kcal;

  • Lettuce salad – 12 kcal;

  • Dill and parsley (greens) – 13 kcal;

  • Tomato – 14 kcal;

  • Bamboo shoots, green onions, radishes, chard - 19 kcal.

So, having considered a wide variety of low-calorie foods for weight loss, we can conclude that the process of losing weight will be quite pleasant, and not only useful. Among the huge number of plant, meat and dairy products, everyone will be able to choose what suits their taste in their individual menu!