Negative calories are present in vegetables with high levels of fiber and nutrients. How to consume 'negative calorie' foods for weight loss? Although 'negative calorie' foods provide nutrients, they do not contain all the necessary ones that the body demands to function properly. 'It is important to combine them with other foods that complete the necessary nutritional intake, such as proteins and healthy fats,' explains Bravo. According to the specialist, for weight loss, one can use negative-calorie foods predominantly in their diet, under professional supervision and without prolonging this routine for more than three days, as if an adequate amount of protein is not consumed, health can be put at risk and muscle loss may even begin. 'A healthy proportion for this type of combination would be for half to a quarter of the meal to be composed of negative-calorie foods, while the other part consists of other foods that provide proteins and healthy lipids,' details Bravo. For example: a salad of negative-calorie vegetables to which fresh cheese, chicken or turkey breast and a teaspoon of olive oil are added. One could also prepare lentils with carrot, onion, pepper, adding pieces of meat. 'The consumption of proteins and healthy fats is essential, in the right measure, to maintain a balanced and complete diet,' Bravo points out. What happens if I overconsume negative-calorie foods? Overconsuming negative-calorie foods can be counterproductive, as the metabolism will slow down instead of speeding up, Bravo details. This is because if we do not ingest the right amount of protein, we will start to lose muscle mass, which the body will use to obtain the nutrients that the diet is not providing, and our metabolism will not be fast, making it harder to lose weight. With information from EFE. It is important to remember that each body is different, so you should always consult a nutritionist. Foods with 'negative calories' are vegetables with high water and fiber content, explains Bravo. These vegetables can become your best friends, as they speed up your metabolism: Onion, Cauliflower, Celery, Garlic, Pumpkin, Endive, Chard, Spinach, Asparagus, Fennel, Beetroot, Carrot, Cucumber, Radish, Bell pepper, Zucchini, Beans, Lentils. What is the difference between empty and negative calories? It should be noted that empty calories are different from negative ones. That is, the body would be using more calories than it ingests. What foods are considered to have 'negative calories'? If you practice intermittent fasting to lose weight but it hasn't worked, you could review the foods you consume daily and add those with negative calories. This vegetable is part of the foods with 'negative calories' or very low caloric content, as a 100-gram portion provides only 14 calories. However, the digestive process requires energy. This cycle, more common than it seems, could be related to the lack of a suitable meal plan for your needs. In this context, some specialists suggest incorporating negative-calorie foods as part of a strategy to speed up metabolism. So-called negative calories are found in certain foods that force the body to spend more energy digesting them than they actually provide. The former are present in foods and drinks that provide a lot of energy but few nutrients. For example, soft drinks, cereals, cakes, and sweets have empty calories. That is, the body 'burns' more calories processing them, explains nutritionist Rubén Bravo. The human body needs calories for basic functions like breathing, commuting to work or school, and even for more intense physical activities. However, we gain weight when we consume more calories than we need in our daily lives, which can lead to diseases such as overweight and obesity. Therefore, when someone wants to lose weight, a balanced diet combined with physical activity is recommended. How do 'negative calories' in food work? To explain this, celery is often used as an example, considered an ally in diet plans for its low energy contribution. In the case of celery, the body can spend more calories digesting its high fiber content — especially insoluble fiber — than the food itself provides. Based on this logic, it is estimated that the body could spend up to 30 calories processing it, which would generate a 'negative' energy balance. Have you tried diet after diet, you lose weight, and shortly after, the rebound appears?
