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October 20, 2023
When trying to lose weight, you need to eat a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit can be a challenge, though, especially when you don't feel satisfied with what you've eaten or can't seem to get full. Thankfully, plenty of low calories vegetables can help you feel fuller longer. In fact, the majority of vegetables are low calorie. In addition, vegetables are high in nutrients and support your body's function.
When figuring out how many calories you should be taking in, you must consider several factors. There are about 3,500 calories in one pound. So, for each pound you want to lose, you will want to have a deficit of 3,500. Let's say your goal is to lose one pound a week. That means creating a deficit of 3,500 calories weekly, so 500 calories daily.
You can restrict this by eating fewer calories but also moving more and burning calories. Many calculators online can give you an idea of how many calories you should be consuming every day, and they take factors such as activity level, height, weight, and how much you want to lose into account.
There are a variety of vegetables for calorie deficit that can make your diet easier. Give some of these low-calorie vegetables a try to help you meet your goals.
Lettuce has just five calories per cup, making it a good option for eating at a calorie deficit. Consider making a salad with lettuce and a few other vegetables for a low-calorie, nutritious snack. However, be mindful of any dressing you choose, as many salad dressings add substantial calories.
You may think of a spa day when you think of cucumbers, but they are an excellent low-calorie snack. While they are botanically a fruit, cucumbers are culinarily a vegetable. At just 16 calories a cup, dicing some of these up and throwing them into a chicken or tuna salad can add some nutrition without sacrificing calories.
Are you looking for a low-calorie way to add some flavor to your water? Try cucumbers. They can add flavor to your water without a lot of calories.
Celery is 95% water and therefore is only 14 calories per cup. This crunchy vegetable can be a great addition to a wrap, salad, or alone. Add some peanut butter to your celery to have a high-protein snack in the middle of the day, and consider putting some raisins on top of the peanut butter for a classic snack. This snack can be great for kids too!
This highly nutritious vegetable is only 41 calories per cup cooked and seven calories raw. Raw spinach can be an excellent base for a salad, added to a sandwich, or blended into a smoothie. Cooked spinach can be a great addition to casseroles and pasta, though those may not be your best low-calorie options. Regardless, consider adding spinach to your diet when looking for a vegetable for weight loss.
While most people think of the color orange when carrots come to mind, they can come in various colors. Carrots can also come in purple, white, yellow, and red. No matter the color, carrots are low in calories and have a lot of flavor when cooked. Their sweetness can be a nice contrast to other vegetables that may have little taste, or perhaps a bitter taste. Raw carrots can be a crunchy midafternoon snack, while cooked carrots can be a great addition to a well-balanced meal at dinner.
Did you know there are many ways you can disguise the flavor of cauliflower and turn it into a nutritious alternative to other foods? You can use it as a pizza crust, a substitute for mashed potatoes, and a rice alternative. Cauliflower can be a good option for people who are trying to eat healthier as a family but have picky eaters.
Try swapping out a high-carb option with cauliflower. You may find that you don't notice much difference in the taste, or you might even prefer the cauliflower alternative more. A cup of cauliflower has 40 calories, making it a much lighter option than high-carb bread, pasta, and rice.
Onions have a robust and flavorful taste, along with many health benefits. A diet high in onions may reduce the risk of heart and kidney disease, improve your digestive health, help regulate blood sugar, lower inflammation in the body, and more. One cooked onion has just 70 calories and adds a great flavor profile to soups, salads, burgers, and more.
These are just a few of the many vegetables for weight loss that can benefit you. Consider adding some to your diet to reduce your overall caloric intake and add more nutrition to your diet. Check out our app for more information. Also, don't forget about water. Water is calorie-free, keeps you hydrated, and can help you feel fuller. Keep some water with you at all times to help keep yourself hydrated and make it easier to stick to your low-calorie diet.