Topend Sports Logo

Negative Calorie Diet

The negative calorie diet should certainly be classified under fad diets. The diet recommends eating a range of foods that are regarded as having negative calories, which means that they take more calories to digest than the number of calories that are contained in them. The term negative calorie food is not quite correct, as all foods contain calories, though the net calorie gain or loss after eating certain foods can vary.



As with most fad diets, in theory this diet sounds like a good idea. It takes a certain amount of energy for the body to digest food, including the energy required to chew and swallow, in the production of enzymes to break down the food, and the movement of the stomach and intestines. If it takes more energy in these processes than is actually contained in the food, then there is none left to be stored away as fat.

Are there any foods that have these properties? Well, some research suggests there is, but the variety available will not be adequate to supply all of your nutrient needs. Foods that have been listed as having negative calories include lettuce, celery, cabbage, cucumber, broccoli, beetroot and zucchini. There are also some fruits that fit this definition: apples, blueberries, grapefruit, mangoes, strawberries, pineapple and watermelon.

So eating the foods that are listed above may give you your adequate levels of the fruit and vegetable food groups, you will need to eat from the other food groups to stay healthy.

There is no scientific proof that following the negative calorie diet works to aid weight loss. There are no magic potions and no magic foods that will burn away the calories. By all means eat the low calories foods as listed in this article, but the food you need to eat from the other food groups all need to be well chosen, and a bit of exercise will help too.



Related Pages

send us a comment Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.

Weight Loss Extra

There are no simple answers. You should keep a healthy weight, consider one of these diets, though exercise is also important.

Sports Nutrition Extra

Athlete nutrition isn't just about weight loss. It is important to fuel the body optimally before, during and after exercise, as well as to stay hydrated. Supplements may also be required.

 → How to Cite