It’s that time of year when many of us are counting calories and making sure we don’t eat more than we really need to.

But some foods are guaranteed to make you feel free from any guilt as you’ll burn more calories by chewing and digesting them than you’ll consume.

While most people know celery is one of these super-healthy zero calorie foods, some others on the list may surprise you, including strawberries and swede.

From apricots to asparagus, and garlic to grapefruit, these very healthy snacks are what are known as zero-calorie foods, according to experts.

And when eaten in moderation they will not contribute to your daily calorie total, it’s said.

Apples

Calorie content: 47kcals per 100g

As the old saying goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and there may be some truth to it. Apples are packed full of important vitamins such as C and A, and can promote heart health.

How about them apples?

A photo posted by Facts by Guff (@facts) on

Apricots

Calorie content: 12kcals per apricot

Eating apricots is said to help reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. They’re also full of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre, which all promote good heart health.

It’s all about the apricots here at the moment. ???This is our fourth and final apricot tree with fruit hanging heavy on its young branches. ??We have covered all our trees with bird netting, but somehow the last couple of mornings I’ve found half eaten fruits under this tree. It’s beyond frustrating!! ???? So in an attempt to beat the birds, I picked lots of these today, and will pick the rest over the next few days…unless the birds force me to just pick the lot and be done with it!!? (I know they will ripen inside if I pick them now, it’s just that I’d really prefer to eat them straight from the tree.) ? ??? . . . . . . . #apricots #apricot #growyourownfood #thehappygardeninglife #growfood #growsomethinggreen #urbangardenersrepublic #urbanorganicgardener #gardentotable#lobotany #hydrovegan #gardenactivist #gardeningaustralia #greenthumb #fruit #freshfruit #fruitpicking #homegrown #orchard #harvest #organicgardening #organicfood #homesteading #countryliving #growfoodnotlawns #gloobyfood #permaculture #horticulture #summerfruit

A photo posted by Mim Hatcher (@mimscuisine) on

Asparagus

Calorie content: 6kcals per spear

As well as being packed with antioxidants, it contains lots of essential vitamins such as A, C, E and K, along with plenty of fibre.

Entra en calor con una buena crema de espárragos. ??

A photo posted by Alberto Lancha (@albertolancha) on

Beetroot

Calorie content: 36kcals per 100g

Beetroot is a good source of iron and folate as well as containing plenty of antioxidants. It has also been said to lower blood pressure, to boost exercise performance and to prevent dementia.

Ready-to-eat, simple and versatile. Try our range of infused beetroot. #Beetroot #lovebeetroot #health #instafood

A photo posted by Love Beetroot (@lovebeetroot) on

Broccoli

Calorie content: 33kcals per 100g

Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K and C, and also has lots of potassium and fibre. In addition it contains plenty of the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C, which is said to help cuts heal quicker and fight off diseases, including cancers.

#dinner #salad #instafood #broccoli #mashroom

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Cauliflower

Calorie content: 3kcals per floret

One serving of cauliflower is said to contain 77 percent of an adult’s daily recommended allowance for vitamin C. The vegetable is also a great source of other important vitamins.

Celery

Calorie content: 2kcals per stick

It’s mainly water, which is why you’ll burn more calories than consume them when you eat this vegetable.

A photo posted by FactsofFood (@factsoffood) on

Cranberries

Calorie content: 15kcals per 100g

These red fruits are another great source of vitamin C, as well as fibre, manganese and plenty of antioxidants.

Watercress

Calorie content: 4kcals per quarter of a bunch

Watercress is thought to have medicinal properties and contains particularly high levels of vitamin K – important for bone health – and vitamin A (eye health). It also contains glucosinolate compounds, which have been found to have anti-cancer properties.

Wknd Boil Up? #summer #soup #goodness #watercress #fresh #aotearoa

A photo posted by @stanleypedigree on

Cucumber

Calorie content: 10kcals per 100g

This vegetable is mostly water, and helps flush toxins from the body. It also helps you stay hydrated, and contributes to heart and eye health.

Diet goal Bfast.lunch.dinner #cucumber

A photo posted by Xiak Ni Ghie (@ellesig_leugim) on

Fennel

Calorie content: 12kcals per 100g

As well as containing lots of fibre, it is thought that fennel helps to rebalance the female sex hormones blamed for some of the symptoms of PMT.

Mighty fennel bulbs #valencia #cooperative #fennel #organic #organics #organicproduce #eatyourveggies

A photo posted by Faith Amdahl (@faithamdahl) on

Garlic

Calorie content: 49kcals per 100g

It won’t be zero calories if you eat too much of it, but you’ll burn off more calories than you consume if you eat one clove, it’s said.

Grapefruit

Calorie content: 24kcals per half a grapefruit

A study has found that drinking grapefruit juice when eating fatty food lowers the amount of weight put on by up to a fifth.

Green Beans

Calorie content: 24kcals per 100g

Eating green beans will help you get a flat stomach, according to some nutritionists. It’s packed full of essential vitamins and vitamins, as well as some protein, too.

I eat a lot of vegetables in my diet and I love making vegetarian meals which are full of nutrition – today I made green beans with garlic, chilli, butter, sesame seeds and a bit of sesame oil on top after cooking. It was an explosion of different flavours – try this at home. *************************************** Aš be galo mėgstu ir vegetariškus patiekalus šiandien gaminau šparagines pupeles su česnaku, sviestu, čili ir trupučiu sezamų aliejaus jau pabaigus gaminti. Skonis nepakartojamas – siūlau išbandyti. #tautvilesliazaitethehomeclub #foodies #tautvilesliazaite #manapractice #nutrition #nutritionist #health #food #love #greenbeans #kitchen #recipe #chef #natural #vegan #vegetarian #mityba #svoris #sveikata

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Kale

Calorie content: 33kcals per 100g

There are dozens of claims about the cancer-beating properties of kale, and while some nutritionists say eating broccoli and Brussels sprouts is actually better for you, the vegetable still contains plenty of essential vitamins.

#smoothie #chiaseeds #spinach #kale #pomegranate #ginger #carrot #celery #wheatgrass #flaxseed @nutribulletuk

A photo posted by Catherine Tyldesley (@auntiecath17) on

Leeks

Calorie content: 22kcals per 100g

Leeks are an excellent source of vitamin K as well as manganese, vitamin B6, copper, iron and vitamin C.

Lemons

Calorie content: 3kcals per slice

When life gives you lemons… just eat them. A slice contains just three calories, meaning you’ll burn more or the same number – making it a zero- calorie food in moderation.

Beautiful lemons ?? Credit:’ nature and beauty'(FB) Use #hydrovegan to be featured

A photo posted by Wissam N. ?????? (@hydrovegan) on

Lettuce

Calorie content: 14kcals per 100g

Made up mostly of water, a lettuce leaf won’t contribute to your daily calorie intake.

Onion

Calorie content: 7kcals in one slice

Every recipe book will contain more than a few recipes containing this staple ingredient, but in moderation you’ll burn more calories by eating it than you consume.

Tengo un cebollón.

A photo posted by bicho_lu (@bicho_lu) on

Raspberries

Calorie content: 1kcal per raspberry

Raspberries contain very high levels of vitamin C, and it’s said that eating them could help to boost fertility.

#local #honey #greekgodsyogurt #raspberries #breakfast #queensuniversity #kingston #queensu #ygk #campusonestop

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Strawberries

Calorie content: 3kcals per fruit

Strawberries contain more vitamin C than the equivalent amount of a orange, and have been said to aid digestion.

#strawberries#freshfromflorida#naturescandy#localsupportinglocal#surprisegoftfrommyman#fruitlover

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Swede

Calorie content: 24kcals per 100g

Swedes are low in calories, making them an ideal food for slimmers. They supply a reasonable amount of vitamin C, about 20 percent of the RDA in an 85g cooked portion, as well as some beta-carotene for a healthy immune system.

Veg from the vegetable box @vegboxpeople

A photo posted by Elsa Eats (@elsaeatsfood) on

Watermelon

Calorie content: 16kcals in a quarter of a slice

It’s said this fruit can help hydrate you just as much as a glass of water can (it’s 92 percent water, after all), and it’s also reported to prevent heart attacks and weight gain because it halts the build-up of bad cholesterol.

Melancia orgânica, produção própria. #watermelon #organicwatermelon #organic #organicfruit #melancia #melanciaorganica

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