Losing weight consists of two major parts, you must exercise and you must watch what you’re eating. And while a sustainable way to lose weight is not being too hard on yourself when it comes to food, eating too much junk will also not help you reach your goal. There are also a lot of benefits of adding low-calorie vegetables as a diet rich in vegetables can promote weight loss. It solves digestive problems and has a positive effect on blood sugar.
While all the vegetables are low-calorie, some are lower than others. Whether you love veggies or not, these are some yummy low-calorie greens that are also nutritious so you are set to go on your diet journey.
5 Ways To Add Low-Calorie Veggies To Your Weight Loss Diet
1. Cabbage
Even though it is very low in calories, cabbage has a very interesting nutrient profile. Just half a cup of cooked cabbage has about one third the vitamin C we require for the day. It’s also rich in folate, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K. Cabbage is considered to be a great addition to your diet when you’re aiming for weight loss as a cup of cooked cabbage has only 33 calories and it’s also low in fat, high in fibre and rich in antioxidants.
How To Do It:
- Cabbage kofta
- Cabbage patties
- Cabbage stuffed paratha
- Cabbage rolls
2. Radish
It is considered to be beneficial in weight loss due to its low-calorie content. They are also rich in roughage and contain a high amount of water, giving a feeling of fullness and preventing overeating. A half-cup serving of sliced radishes contains only about 12 calories and virtually no fat and it is hence a great addition to a healthy diet. Radishes also help in improving our metabolism and in regulating the level of insulin in our blood which in turn is necessary for proper fat burning.
How To Do It:
- Roasted radish
- Radish curry
- White radish fry
- Radish paratha
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3. Spinach
Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, K1 and B9, iron and calcium. It has very high fibre content and low-fat content and is thus helpful in maintaining optimal calorie control. It is composed of about 91% water, and this high water and fibre content, in turn, helps in better digestion and absorption of food. They are also a natural source of thylakoids which is a chlorophyll bearing plant ingredient. Studies suggest that thylakoid extract from plants like spinach help in curbing our appetite. This happens because they lower the hunger causing hormones in our body and raise the hormones that make us feel full.
How To Do It:
- Palak paneer
- Spinach soup
- Baked spinach with mushroom
- Spinach ravioli
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4. Mushroom
Mushrooms are considered to be beneficial for weight loss as they help in regulating blood sugar levels which in turn aids fat burning. They are not just low in calories but are also loaded with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are also rich in vitamin D which is considered to be a rare component in other vegetables. Researchers have found that they also help lower blood pressure and boost immunity, which, along with their nutritional value, are excellent reasons for incorporating them into your diet.
How To Do It:
- Kadhai mushroom
- Mushroom chilly fry
- Mushroom kofta with tomato gravy
- Mushroom kebabs
5. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is very low in calories, a cup of raw cauliflower consists of about 25 calories, and so you can eat a lot of it without gaining much weight. This is why it is used as a low-calorie substitute for high-calorie foods such as rice and flour. It also has a high fibre and water content which slows digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness which prevents overeating. It is nutritionally rich and consists of small quantities of almost all the vitamins and minerals that we need, making it a valuable addition to our diet.
How To Do It:
- Aloo gobi
- Cauliflower curry
- Masala gobi
- Cauliflower pepper fry
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While these vegetables are quite nutritious make sure you aren’t only having them. After all, you need other food groups too for better gut health. You can include good fats, protein and carbs to have variety in your diet.
