Negative Calorie Diet

What is a negative calorie diet? There are several versions of negative calorie diets out there but the common element is to eat foods that take more energy to process than the absorbed calories. Most recommended foods fit into the high fiber vegetables and fruit categories. The issue many nutritionists or doctors have with this type of diet is the lack of fat and protein necessary for good health.

People with existing health problems should never attempt this type of diet without a doctor's supervision. Some negative diet programs recommend strenuous exercise along with the reduced calorie diet. This combination can cause serious health issues for some people.

People who are looking for fast results turn to this type of diet. Depending on the exact meal plan, you can drop your daily caloric intake dramatically. If you go from 2400 calories a day to less than 1200 calories a day you will see quick results. But the denial of proper nutrition can also rob you of your energy and general health.

Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, and cabbage are usually a part of any daily meal plan. Fruits like blueberries, cantaloupes, apples, grapefruit, mango, papaya, and cranberries also fit the criteria. All of these choices of food have high fiber and low amounts of calories. Normally most dieticians recommend these items too. So all are good for you due to the fiber and vitamins and minerals.

But too much of a good thing, and not enough protein and fat can cause health issues even in a short amount of time. All of these types of foods will fill you up and help overcome any hunger pangs or empty feelings people on diets often complain about.

Most people don't adhere to the daily requirements recommended by the U.S. National Institute of Health, which is 9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day for men and 5 servings a day for women. Many have far more high fat and low protein items than fruits and vegetables. French fries are a vegetable but due to the preparation, are not the best choice.

A good example of a fast food meal of hamburger, fries, and a soft drink may have lettuce, tomato, and a potato in the mix. But the ratio is not good due to the high fat content and high calorie count. So the amount of calories (energy) used to digest (about 150) is far less than total calories absorbed (about 650).

Compare that to eating some high fiber fruit and vegetables that have about 300 calories and takes about 3 times (900 calories) that to digest and process the food. In the fast food meal you have surplus of 500 calories that can turn to fat, in the fruits and vegetable meal you have a negative calorie count of 600. So you actually burn more calories to process the fruits and vegetables.

But if you do this for every meal, and several days, you are denying your body protein and essential fats. An easy way to fix this deficiency is to add a piece of lean meat or fish to your fruit and vegetable meal. That turns your meal into a healthy and satisfying balance. You will still benefit from negative calories, just not as much. But you also won't be denying your body the proper nutrition it needs.

Eating healthy is much more sustainable over the time for long term weight control. Making sure you eat the proper amount of fruits and vegetables everyday can help you to lose weight. Adding some high protein and low fat food items insures good health too.

Incorporating some of the foods suggested by a negative calorie diet can be beneficial in any weight loss program. Just make sure that you also have the proper protein and essential fats in your meal plan. It doesn't have to be meat or fish, several options are available like black and pinto beans, any lentils, nuts, and seeds can add protein to your diet.

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The content on this site is presented only for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a practicing physician.