Buzz
While nearly every food carries some calories, there are those with so few that they don't need to be meticulously tracked. These are often termed 'free foods.' If you're dieting and craving a snack, here are some 'free foods' you can eat in moderation without keeping a close count.
A quick note: there's no magic behind the foods listed here. They still have calories, and overindulging will negate their low-calorie advantage. However, when eaten in moderation, they can help curb your hunger.
Be sure to practice mindfulness to ensure they support, rather than hinder, your overall progress.
High-Fiber Vegetables:
Broccoli
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Fresh Green Beans
Celery
Leafy Spinach
Vibrant Kale
Tender Okra
Crisp Cucumbers
Fresh Cabbage
Napa Cabbage
Sprouted Beans
Alfalfa Bean Sprouts
Seasonings and Culinary Ingredients:
Yellow Mustard
Pickled Vegetables
Chopped Relish
Fermented Sauerkraut
Chicken or Beef Broth (or Bouillon)
Dark Soy Sauce
Updated Salsa (I forgot to mention this as one of my staples)
Spicy Hot Sauce (e.g. Tabasco)
Spicy Sriracha Sauce
Other Items:
Sugar-Free Gelatin
Gum without Sugar
Mints without Sugar
Seaweed Sushi Wrap
Drinks:
Coffee (with a dash of skim milk)
Hot Tea
Beverages Without Sugar
We’re not recommending anything extreme, such as using these free foods for a cleanse. Before anything else, make sure you're following a practical, long-term plan. With that in mind, adding these foods as healthy, 'free' snacks to your diet will satisfy your hunger when cravings arise and save you from having to log every calorie you consume. It’s a great combo.
Image courtesy of Kim Coleman.
