Can food contain negative calories? Nutritionists debunk the idea

According to the theory, negative calorie food is made up of foods that have a lower energy content (calories) than what it takes for the body to digest and absorb them. Theoretically, this sounds plausible. Even celery, which is considered a low-calorie food, contains more calories than the body can absorb.

Three components make up our energy requirements:

* The amount of energy required to keep a body at rest. This is the energy that our body needs to perform its basic functions so we can survive.

* Thermic effect, or the increase in metabolism after eating while the food is being digested and absorbed.

* Increased energy required for exercise and activity.

Thermic effects use the least calories, about 10%. About a 10th of our calories are spent on processing our food. This includes chewing, moving the food through our digestive system, and storing extra energy.

Although celery, grapefruits, broccoli, tomatoes, and cucumbers have been touted as “negative calorie” foods, there is no evidence to back this claim. Even though they contain 7 to 30 kcal for every 100g, it takes less energy to process them. It is because they are high in water and fiber. These have very low energy costs.

Add, but don’t replace

They are great for those who want to lose weight because they are low in calories. You can reduce your calorie intake by replacing some foods in your diet. For example, replace a portion of chips with an equal amount of salad. They are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which have many health benefits.

Healthy options should be substituted for high-calorie foods and not simply added. LightField Studios/Shutterstock

By adding these healthy items to meals, you will increase the total calorie count. A cheeseburger with a side salad, for example, contains more calories than just a cheeseburger.

It is hard to lose weight because people have to burn more calories than they consume. Researchers have found that people tend to underestimate their food’s calorie content. This is especially true if you are obese.

Researchers found that people who visit fast food restaurants with a healthy image tend to underestimate the calories in their meals. They may even end up eating more overall.

A second problem is maintaining weight loss over the long term. In many studies, diets have been shown to be effective in reducing weight for a short time. However, over 80% gain the weight back over time. Many modern societies have easy access to high-calorie, high-fat foods. It is, therefore, difficult to avoid them on a long-term basis.

Negative calorie foods do not exist. There is no simple way to lose and maintain weight. Permanently changing your diet and drinking habits to healthier options is likely to result in a sustained weight loss over the long term.