Sick of hearing about all those foods that have more calories than you’d expect? We, too. So we’ve done the opposite and found foods with fewer calories. Check out these tasty nutrition all-stars that won’t blow your calorie budget.
1. Jell-O
The snack that will bring you back to your childhood contains just 10 to 80 calories per serving! Flavors run from basic strawberry, raspberry, and peach to exotic margaritas. While Jell-O won’t provide you with any key nutrients, you can easily turn it into a healthy treat by adding sliced fruit instead of whipped topping. You can also make your own Jell-O; click here for step-by-step instructions.
2. Popcorn
Don’t reserve this whole grain just for movie time! In addition to being a 100 percent unprocessed whole grain, two whole cups of this treat will cost you just 60 calories. (As long as you don’t add butter!) What’s more, popcorn kernels contain more polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) than fruits and vegetables, according to research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. Fruits and veggies are known for their antioxidants but they contain lower amounts because they are diluted by the water content. Popcorn is made up of only four percent water, so the antioxidants—which can help fight inflammation in your body—are packed into the tiny kernels.
3. Mushrooms
It might surprise you to know that these hefty vegetables are only 18 calories per cup. In fact, in a a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study that swapped out ground beef for mushrooms in lasagna, sloppy joes, and chili, adults consumed 400 fewer calories per day. Some researchers estimate that if you go for mushrooms instead of ground meat just once a week, you could lose up to five pounds in a year without making any other changes. As a bonus, mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and a healthy dose of potassium, which is known to help with blood pressure control.
4. Eggs
At just 75 calories a pop, eggs contain high-quality protein and are packed with important nutrients such as B12, folate, and riboflavin. Eggs are also one of the richest sources of choline, a nutrient that recent research suggests is critical to brain function; animal studies have linked choline consumption in mothers to improved memory performance in offspring. Worried about cholesterol and heart health? Most experts agree that one egg per day is a go-ahead for everyone. In fact, a solid body of research shows that for most people, cholesterol in food has a much smaller effect on blood levels of total cholesterol and harmful LDL cholesterol than does the mix of fats in the diet.
5. Sweet potato
Aside from being hearty, filling, and delicious, one medium sweet potato has just about 100 calories. It’s also a nutritional powerhouse, delivering carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Better still, this tuber does not depend on caloric toppings for flavor, like its white potato cousins. Try cinnamon or nutmeg for a sweet taste, and cumin, coriander, or paprika for a savory.
