5 Ultra Low-Calorie Veggies, articles, health

5 Ultra Low-Calorie Veggies

by Myreille Simard
published May 18, 2009

rating: (68 Ratings)

Increasing your fruit and veggie intake is a simple, healthy way to control your daily caloric intake. Since the summer gardening season is here, take advantage of these five ultra healthy foods by following our tips and recipes. Enjoy!

Cucumber

Calories: 20 calories per half.

Cucumbers contain 98% water and zero carbs, which makes them a perfectly healthy snack.

Eat more!

Eat them with dipping sauce, add them to your sandwiches and salads, or simply have them on their own!

Try our recipes for chilled cucumber soup and apricot and cucumber salad.

Tomato

Calories: 25 calories for a medium tomato.

Since tomatoes are rich in water and fibre, they’re great to help satiate hunger.

Eat more!

Tomatoes can be incorporated into nearly all meals, stews, soups, etc. Add some to your salads or sandwiches, and you’ll benefit from their many vitamins. Eat them cooked, and you’ll benefit from their antioxidant properties.

Try our recipes for arugula and tomato salad and chunky gazpacho.

Celery

Calories: 1-2 calories per rib, depending on its length.

Celery is one of the few foods whose caloric content is practically nil. We often hear the act of eating celery makes us lose more calories than ingesting it will make us gain.

Eat more!

Celery warrants being used as an accompanying veggie, much like asparagus or broccoli. Cut the ribs in half and boil them for 10 minutes in a vegetable broth. It’s also a great addition to soups and stews. Thinly slice celery and add it to nearly any meal! Cooked celery leaves can add a great aroma to dishes.

Try our recipe for vegan celery-rice casserole.

Lettuce
Calories: 2 calories per leaf.

A large head of lettuce has about 100 calories. The greener the leaves, the richer they are in potassium and vitamin C.

Eat more!

Make sure you always have a side salad with your meals by replacing oft-caloric sides (such as fries) with this lighter alternative. Top your greens off with other ingredients like nuts and cheese, transforming your salad into a full meal! Be sure your choice of dressing, however, remains low in fat and in calories.

Try our recipe for Calico fruit salad.

Radish

Calories: 7 calories for 10 radishes.

Since they’re a root vegetable, radishes are rich in minerals. Their sharp taste stimulates the digestive system, making them an excellent and super healthy snack.

Eat more!

Radishes are most often eaten raw, but they can also be marinated for an altogether different taste. Grate them and add them to soups or salads, and even sandwiches!

Try our recipe for avocado soup with radishes and cilantro cream.