negative-calorie foods?

I thought this was an informative little piece from HG.

HG,

What is all this hubbub I am hearing about negative-calorie foods? Eating them burns more calories than they have in the first place? Can this be true?

Love to Chew Things

Dear Love to Chew,

Good Q. Negative-calorie foods supposedly require more calories (energy) to chew and digest than the foods themselves contain. For example, if a celery stalk has 5 calories but you burn 10 calories chewing and digesting it, then celery would be considered a negative-calorie food. High-fiber, low-calorie fruits and veggies are the ones typically categorized as negative-calorie foods. There is no proof that just including these foods in your diet can cause weight loss. Plus, quite a few experts say there aren't foods that truly burn more calories than they contain. But many nutrition professionals are on board with these so-called negative-calorie foods simply because said foods are low in calories and often high in nutrients. My friend Bonnie Taub-Dix, a registered dietitian and all-around smart human, had this to say on the subject: "It's not that these foods have no calories and should be eaten in unlimited quantities; that's not true. The foods are fruits and veggies and should actually be promoted as having POSITIVE calories. [Positive as in helpful.] After all, they're loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that we all need and don't get enough of. Plus, they help put a halt to hunger." Thanks, Bonnie! BTW, my personal favorite so-called negative-calorie foods are asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, peaches, and cantaloupe. (Others include celery, oranges, grapefruit, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers, and zucchini.) YUM! For more from Bonnie, check out her USA Today blog.
http://bit.ly/dzjsWb

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone