Ask Mary

The pop term, “negative calorie”, is used to describe foods that are so low in calories, the body uses more energy to digest them than they deliver.  Negative calorie foods include vegetables, such as lettuce and cabbage, and fruit, like melon and raspberries.  By eating only negative calorie foods and protein, you will encounter nutritional deficiencies.  The diet is severely restricted in calories and it lacks nutrients supplied by the major food groups.  The protein you eat will merely be burned for energy.  The negative calorie diet is just a fad that will keep you from reaching your weight loss goal.