Low-Calorie Foods That Are Filling

Low-calorie foods provide nutrition without adding a high amount of calories. This allows you to feel full without worrying about ingesting too many calories. Low-calorie foods should include larger portions of water- and fiber-rich foods with limited sugar, salt and fat.

Vegetables

• Vegetables are naturally low in calories and provide fiber. One low-calorie vegetable with high water content is carrots, which has both vitamin A and vitamin C. Eat carrots raw or add them to a garden salad with iceberg lettuce and tomatoes.

Broth-Based Soups

• Soups have a high water content. Choose vegetable-based soups such as minestrone. One cup of minestrone has 112 calories and can make a nutritious snack. Add lean meat or poultry to the soup for additional flavor.

Legumes

• Eat beans and peas daily. Dry beans and peas have high amounts of fiber, including pinto beans and lima beans. Serve 1 cup of pinto beans with 5 oz. of lean, skinless turkey breast for lunch or dinner.

Whole Grains

• Whole grains add fiber to your diet. For breakfast, eat one slice of toasted whole-wheat bread with one egg white and a slice of turkey. Or, eat a whole-wheat muffin with low-fat peanut butter.

Milk

• Milk has a high amount of water. Add low-fat milk instead of water to a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruit such as cherries. Enjoy low-fat milk in a fruit-yogurt smoothie, or sip a 6 oz. glass of warm milk for insomnia.

Fruit

• Fruits contain natural sugar, and are high in both water and fiber. Watermelon is a low-density fruit; enjoy it plain, add it to a fruit salad or create a smoothie with additional fruit such as honeydew.