Whether you’re trying to lose weight or simply eat healthy, superfoods are a great way to pack a dense amount of nutrients into a single snack or meal. Unfortunately, some superfoods also come with a super number of calories, which can have a nasty effect on your waistline.
Here are 10 low calorie superfoods that can help keep the extra weight off, while still delivering all the nutrients you desire:
1 – Sweet Potatoes
While only distantly related to the common potato, sweet potatoes are some of the healthiest foods around. At only 86 calories per 3.5 oz serving, they come with 3 grams of fiber, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin E, and several B Vitamins. They also have extremely high levels of beta-carotene, which is important for healthy eyes.
2 – Eggs
With how versatile eggs are, it’s easy to see why they made this list. There’s only 70 calories per egg, with 6 grams of protein, and no carbs whatsoever. Each egg comes with a healthy dose of Vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and K. If this wasn’t enough, there’s also Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorus, and Selenium.
3 – Salmon
If you’re in need of protein, look no further than this incredible fish. Salmon has 175 calories per 3.5 oz serving but comes with a whopping 19 grams of protein, and high levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are outstanding for brain health. It also contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, and B12, and the minerals Potassium and Selenium. The great thing about salmon is, it goes well with several other superfoods, such as spinach or kale.
4 – Blueberries
What kind of list would this be without blueberries? Blueberries have only 57 calories per 3.5 oz serving, but come with 2.4 grams of fiber, and are loaded with antioxidants, which are key for healthy aging, and preventing oxidative stress that accelerates aging. They also have Vitamins K and C, which are key for immune health.
5 – Cauliflower
Chances are good that you’ve seen a recipe calling for the use of cauliflower lately. Whether it’s replacing mashed potatoes, rice, or even pizza dough, it’s versatility is rather impressive. Clocking in at only 25 calories per 3.5 oz serving, cauliflower has 2.5 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and is loaded with antioxidants. Sweetening the deal, it has Vitamins C, K, B6, and the minerals Potassium and Manganese.
6 – Strawberries
Few things are better than fresh strawberries on a summer evening, and when you take its nutrient density into account, you’ll love them even more. With only 32 calories per 3.5 oz serving, strawberries have 2 grams of fiber, and are stuffed to the brim with vitamins and minerals. They come with Vitamins B6, C, E, K, as well as the minerals Potassium, Iron, Copper, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. Oh! Did we mention that they have antioxidants too?
7 – Broccoli Sprouts
If you’re looking for something that you can grow in your very own kitchen, broccoli sprouts are the perfect choice. 3 oz of broccoli sprouts has only 35 calories, 4 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. The best part about broccoli sprouts though, is their ability to fight off cancer.
Broccoli sprouts contain a powerful anti-cancer agent (Sulforaphane, a Dietary Component of Broccoli/Broccoli Sprouts, Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cells, Li, et al) called sulforaphane, and it’s quickly becoming a go-to for physicians treating a variety of cancers. All you need to grow them is some broccoli seeds, a glass jar, and some cheese cloth. Talk about easy!
8 – Kale
No superfood list would be complete without kale. At only 49 calories per 3.5 oz serving, kale comes with 3.6 grams of fiber, and 4.3 grams of protein. It has Vitamins A, K, C, and B6, with the minerals Manganese, Calcium, Copper, Potassium, and Magnesium. Commonly eaten in salads and juice blends, kale is a great addition to any diet.
