Arugula is also a solid source of vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants. In fact, it supplies 100% of your daily recommended dosage of vitamin K, which is good for bone health.
We love grilling asparagus, which needs only olive oil (healthy!) and parmesan cheese to turn it into a savory-yet-slimming side. A half-cup serving is only 20 calories, but also contains 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and half the daily requirement of vitamin K.
Most bell peppers—green, yellow, red, orange—are considered sweet, but that’s not reflected in the calories. A medium-sized bell pepper, or a one-cup serving, has only about 30 calories.
Packed with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and numerous antioxidants, broccoli is also low in calories. A cup of chopped broccoli contains only 31 calories, so include it on your plate or add it in recipes as often as possible.
Cabbage is an easy way to add some substance to your meal without adding too many calories. One cup of cabbage—whether it’s for salads, sandwiches, sides (like coleslaw), or sauteed as its own dish—contains about 18 calories.
It’s no secret why cauliflower has recently replaced things like rice, pizza crust, and buffalo wings—it’s a much healthier option.
When a food is 95% water, it’s a solid sign there aren’t many calories involved. Such is the case with celery, which has only about 15 calories per cup.
It contains only 35 calories in a cup—and that’s a cup of chopped chard—so don’t be shy when adding some to your next salad, soup, or stir fry.