Zero Calorie Food Snacks: Do They Exist?

Have you heard the claim that there's food with zero calories? Or even better, some foods make you lose more calories than you eat? 

While neither of these is exactly true, there are some foods out there that are pretty close to zero calories! We have 15 zero-calorie foods that are so low in calories you don't need to even worry about counting them! In other words, feel free to eat as much as you want!

What Is A Zero-Calorie Food?

A zero-calorie food is basically what it sounds like – a calorie-free food! A zero-calorie food is a food with either no calories or negligible calories so low that you don't need to worry about counting them.

So, do they exist? While there is no such thing as zero-calorie food, there are some zero-calorie liquids and foods with very low calories!

While these foods do have calories, you can basically eat as much as you want as you'll become full long before you'll eat enough to gain weight! These can play an intricate role in your total weight loss program.

Are There Negative-Calorie Foods?

One common myth floating around the internet is that negative-calorie foods exist —that is, foods that make you burn calories!

The most common example people give is generally celery. Now, celery is extremely low in calories, with a large stalk containing just 9 calories.

People will suggest that while it has such few calories, it actually takes a bit of energy to chew and consume it. As a result, the energy needed to chew and digest the calorie is greater than the calories consumed.

It sounds plausible and actually isn't as crazy as it sounds. 

However, while chewing does require energy, it's not going to burn an extra 6-10 calories.

Does Food Burn Calories?

Another aspect of this is the existence of what's known as the thermic effect of food, or TEF. 

TEF is the amount of food our bodies burn to digest, process, and expel a certain food.¹ 

You see, our body's systems require energy to perform. This includes things like;

• Digestions
• Transportation of nutrients
• Utilization of those nutrients
• All of the processes that occur due to the food
• Expulsion of the waste

This means that there is truth to the claim that your body burns calories just by eating food – just not to the extent it burns more than you consume, as that would defeat the purpose of eating.

However, not all foods have the same TEF. While different sources can vary, here's an estimate;

• Fat: 1% 
• Carbs: 5-10%
• Protein: 20-30%

Yep, protein has a very high TEF of 20-30%! This is one of the reasons high-protein diets are so successful with weight loss.¹

List Of The Top 15 Zero-Calorie Snacks

Now, let's go through the top zero-calorie foods you can add to your diet to help mitigate hunger while providing essential nutrients.²

1. Coffee (0 Calories)

We know that coffee isn't a food, but it's one of the few products we consume that has zero calories – at least if you drink black coffee.

In fact, if there is a negative-calorie food, coffee would be it! As we know, coffee contains caffeine, which increases energy and even our metabolism.³

2. Tea (0 Calories)

Again, tea is not a food, but the same principles that apply to coffee also apply to tea. Tea is a zero-calorie drink that you can have to relax or even curb your appetite.

3. Celery (1 Medium Stalk - 6 Calories)

Celery is the food that started this whole "negative calorie" myth. These are some of the lowest-calorie foods you can eat.

You could eat it as is or season it. If you did want to use a condiment, the lowest-calorie choice would be a nice balsamic vinegar.

4. Watercress (100g - 11 Calories) 

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable growing in water or moist soil. It has a peppery, slightly spicy flavor and is commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish.

It's rich in nutrients such as;

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Iron
• Antioxidants

It is low in calories, making it a healthy addition to various dishes. Due to its high nutrient content, watercress is often considered a superfood with potential health benefits, including supporting immune function and improving bone health.

5. Cucumber ( 100g - 15 Calories)

Cucumber is another extremely low-calorie vegetable. One reason for this is that it's composed of about 95% water! Not only is it low in calories, but it's also a great hydration food!

Cucumbers are often eaten raw in;

• Salads
• Sandwiches
• Snack

Nutritionally, cucumbers are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including; 

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Fiber

Again, something simple like a bit of balsamic vinegar can make this the ultimate low-calorie snack.

6. Lemon/Lime (1 Fruit 17-20 Calories)

While technically different citrus fruits - lemons and limes are both known for their strong, tart, and tangy flavor, both are often used to flavor tea or water.

While they have slight differences in taste, both are rich in Vitamin C and offer various health benefits.

Both are high in vitamin C and can be used as a low-calorie method to increase the flavor of foods such as;

• Tea
• Water
• Fish
• Tacos

7. Zucchini (100g - 19 Calories)

Zucchini is a summer squash known for its soft, tender meat. Zucchini can be eaten raw in a variety of formats, such as; 

• Salads
• Sautéed(our favorite!)
• Stir-Fry
• Grilled
• Roasted
• Baked

Similar to cucumbers, they have very high water content, giving them very low calories. It delivers a ton of nutrients such as; 

• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin A
• Potassium 
• Magnesium
• Fiber

Zucchini is often favored in low-calorie diets because it can add volume and nutrients to meals without significantly increasing calorie intake.

8. Tomatoes (100g - 20 Calories)

Tomatoes are one of those foods that are treated like vegetables but are actually fruits. Regardless, they're one of the tastiest, zero-calorie foods on the market.

Like many of the other foods on this list, tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including;

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Folate

They also contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to several health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

We love tomatoes and use them in many dishes. One method is to use them with other flavorful vegetables, such as onions and peppers, to flavor dishes such as chicken naturally.

9. Asparagus (100g - 20 Calories)

Asparagus is one of the best vegetables to grill! This green stalk vegetable has a tinder texture when cooked and delivers a nice flavor.

It delivers a ton of nutrients, including;

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Folate
• Potassium
• Iron
• Fiber

As we mentioned, we love grilling these, but you can also roast, steam, bake, or even pan-fry them. We commonly pair these with a nice steak!

10. Spinach (100g - 23 Calories)

Everyone knows spinach from Popeye! While it won't blow up your muscles, spinach is a low-calorie food.

It also packs a ton of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including;

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Folate
• Iron
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin)

One of our favorite spinach dishes is simply pan-frying it with garlic.

11. Cabbage ( 100g - 24 Calories)

We never got into cabbage until we had it cooked with garlic and fish sauce (garlic makes everything better)

Cabbage is usually compared to lettuce, but the two are very different vegetables. They actually come from different families, and cabbage is more nutritious.

In fact, cabbage belongs to the Brassica family, including broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. It has a mild, slightly peppery flavor and is often used in salads, slaws, soups, and as a side dish.

Nutritionally, cabbage is low in calories is rich in:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Fiber
• Folate
• Antioxidants (flavonoids, glucosinolates)

Cabbage can be eaten raw, fermented (as in sauerkraut), or cooked in a variety of ways. Its high fiber content supports digestive health, and its nutrient density makes it a great addition to a healthy diet.

12. Broccoli (100g - 25 Calories)

Over the years, broccoli has gotten a bad rap as a bland food that is always served with "dry chicken breast." When prepared right, it's delicious!

Broccoli is very low in calories and includes the same group of vitamins as other vegetables, including; 

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Folate
• Potassium
• Fiber 
• Antioxidants 

Broccoli is so nutritious that many people give it the title as being a superfood and claim it can improve; 

• Immune function
• Heart health
• Digestive Health
• Decrease chronic diseases

It can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, or sautéed for different flavors and textures. Again, garlic is another awesome addition. 

13. Arugula (100g - 25 Calories)

Arugula is another leafy green vegetable that has a lot of nutrition and a few calories. Most people generally report it has a distinct peppery and bitter flavor.

Nutritionally, it's packed with; 

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C 
• Folate
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Antioxidants and Phytochemicals (glucosinolates)

It is often used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish, and it pairs well with other greens or roasted vegetables. Due to its high nutritional content, we also like to put it in our protein smoothies.

14. Watermelon (100g - 30 Calories)

Like cucumbers and zucchini, watermelon is largely composed of water, as its name implies. In fact, it's about 92% water, which makes it an excellent hydrating food after your workout!

Similar to its vegetable counterparts, watermelon packs a ton of nutrition, including;

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Antioxidants

You can eat watermelon any way you want, but the most common method is "as-is"—just eating a nice slice! Other options could be to use it in a yogurt bowl or even a smoothie.

15. Alfalfa Sprouts ( 100g - 30 Calories)

Alfalfa sprouts are small, delicate, and mildly nutty. They come from the alfalfa plant, which is actually a legume. 

Alfalfa sprouts are commonly used in sandwiches, salads, wraps, and garnishes. You rarely see these eaten by themselves.

Nutritionally, they deliver;

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Folate
• Fiber
• Manganese
• Antioxidants 
• Phytonutrients

Zero-Calorie Foods For Weight Loss

We just gave you a ton of zero-calorie foods to add to your diet. While some of these could technically be eaten solo, most of them aren't exactly tasty as-is. One way to utilize these is to add them to your meals to increase the bulk without increasing the calories.

For example, increasing the cabbage in a dish or adding arugula to a protein shake. You can ultimately add as much as you want! This doesn't mean their limited calories don't count. 

However, as they are so low, their effect on your hunger will overpower your calories – they will fill you up before you eat too many calories! For your next meal, pile up on these zero-calorie foods, and your overall caloric intake will almost definitely decrease!

Be sure to check out some other great ideas for other low-calorie snacks!

• Low Calorie Snacks!
• Snack To Buy On Your Next Grocery Trip!

References

1. Crovetti, R., Porrini, M., Santangelo, A. et al. The influence of thermic effect of food on satiety. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 482–488 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600578
2. "DEFAULT FoodData Central." Usda.gov, 2025, fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search
3. Sirotkin, A V, and A Kolesárová. "The anti-obesity and health-promoting effects of tea and coffee." Physiological research vol. 70,2 (2021): 161-168. doi:10.33549/physiolres.934674 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8820582/