5 Low Calorie Vegetables

Incorporating at least 5 low calorie vegetables into your diet can be a huge difference maker in losing weight and getting healthier. As you’ve probably already heard, fruits and vegetables do a multitude of things to decrease your calorie intake and improve your overall health. As a food group, vegetables tend to be filling, full of vitamins and minerals that keep you satisfied and are even pretty tasty. Check out the list below for five of the best low calorie vegetables to incorporate into your daily diet.

1. Green Beans. One of the great things about green beans (or string beans, as they’re sometimes called) is their versatility. Out of the can, they go great in casseroles, soups and on their own with a little salt. Most grocery stores also sell them raw in their produce sections, so if you’re feeling hungry, you can reach for them as a crunchy snack. And at about 20 calories per serving, there’s no guilt whatsoever in doing so.
2. Carrots. In the realm of vegetables, carrots may just be the most tastebud friendly. They are popular cooked in stews and soups, or eaten raw with dips. For example, carrots and ranch dressing (light ranch, of course) are a staple of any healthy and satiating lunch. A full carrot (or several baby carrots) comes in at about 30 calories per serving.
3. Broccoli. This vegetable gets a bit of a bad rap, especially among kids. Though it's packed with fiber, calcium and Vitamin A, the taste aversion to broccoli keeps quite a few people away. But, broccoli becomes downright delicious if you steam it with a bit of butter or use hummus and light ranch as dips. At 25 calories per serving, the extra effort is certainly worth it.
4. Peppers. Most people, when they think of peppers, associate them with uncomfortably spicy foods. But sweet bell peppers, both the green and the red variety, have all the flavor without any kick. They are packed with a ton of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and dietary fiber. And for just 30 calories per entire pepper, they are actually surprisingly sweet. Your kids will likely genuinely enjoy them raw, and they make a great addition to pan fried chicken or eggs.
5. Celery.  This vegetable is the ultimate in low calorie foods. When all is said and done, it actually takes more energy to digest celery in the body than celery provides. The result is-get this-eating celery actually equals a net negative calorie intake for your body. So if you’re stricken by a late night craving or just really need something to chew on, celery is the food to reach for.