There are a lot of conflicting opinions about calorie counting. On the one hand, scrutinizing every bite you take can lead to disordered eating and an unhealthy relationship with food. On the other, maintaining a calorie deficit is a proven and often recommended way to lose weight. Whichever side of the debate you're on, there's no arguing that consuming low-calorie foods as part of an otherwise balanced diet can help you reach your weight-loss goals. That's why, to kick off the new year, dietitianDanielle McClellan, RD, shared five foods with almost zero calories.
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1. Sugar-free Jell-O
Shutterstock"It's pretty hard to overeat on foods like these," McClellan said in a recent video on TikTok, where she goes by @danielle_the_dietitian. "They're low in calories for the amount of food volume that they provide."
First up on her list is sugar-free Jell-O, which only contains about 10 calories per serving.
As she notes in the caption of her video, McClellan typically shares "high-protein recipes that help you lose weight without giving up taste." (Protein is crucial in a weight-loss journey because it helps keep you full and prevents you from losing muscle mass as you shed pounds.)
So, to turn a pack of sugar-free Jell-O into a satisfying, low-calorie, high-protein snack, you could consider the Jell-O whip recipe that went viral a few years ago.
Boil some water, stir in the sugar-free Jell-O mix, then blend with ice. Voilà, you've got yourself a sweet, frothy treat that'll help you stick to your weight-loss goals.
2. Strawberries
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Speaking of healthy yet sweet snacks—the next food McClellan shouts out are strawberries, which have just 30 calories per 100 grams, or roughly a cup. But despite being low in calories, this mighty fruit is high in plenty of good stuff.
Cleveland Clinic notes that just eight medium strawberries contain 160 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C. (That's more than an orange!)
Strawberries are also loaded with antioxidants, which, when it comes to weight loss, help protect the body against "insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation, increased free fatty acids, and chronic low-grade inflammation," Christopher McGowan, MD, a triple board-certified obesity medicine specialist and founder of True You Weight Loss, previously explained to Best Life.
RELATED: Woman Lost Over 100 Pounds With These 5 High-Protein Snacks From Costco.
3. Zucchini
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Next, McClellan recommends zucchini, as a medium-sized squash has just 30 calories.
The great thing about this veggie is that it lends itself well to many high-protein, low-calorie meals, such as noodle or "zoodle" dishes, enchiladas, lasagna, and even nutritious zucchini bread.
4. Watermelon
ShutterstockIt's no surprise that watermelon, which is about 92 percent water, is just 50 calories per serving.
Eat it plain for a hydrating snack, use it to sweeten high-protein smoothies, or even put it in a salad.
Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN, author of The Fiber Effect and nutritionist at Purely Planted, previously told Best Life that watermelon is also "an excellent source of lycopene, a carotenoid that acts like an antioxidant, and potassium, an important mineral and electrolyte."
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5. Peppers
ShutterstockThe last food on McClellan's list is peppers. According to Harvard Health Publishing, an entire medium bell pepper has only 30 calories. They're also high in antioxidants and vitamins C and A.
To get in your protein, use peppers in an omelet or in a stir fry with lean chicken breast.
