ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Negative-calorie food

Negative-calorie foods are foods that are believed to require more calories to digest than the amount of calories they actually contain. This means that when you eat these foods, you burn more calories than you consume, which could help you lose weight.

For example, celery is often considered a negative-calorie food. When you eat celery, your body has to use energy to break down and digest it, but celery itself only contains a few calories. So, theoretically, you burn more calories digesting celery than you consume by eating it.

However, it's important to note that the idea of negative-calorie foods is controversial and there is limited scientific evidence to support the concept. Some experts argue that the number of calories burned by digestion is insignificant compared to the total number of calories consumed, so the effect of negative-calorie foods on weight loss is likely minimal.

In addition, negative-calorie foods are typically low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied, but they may not provide all of the nutrients you need for a healthy diet.

So, while eating negative-calorie foods may be a helpful addition to a healthy diet, it's not a magical solution for weight loss and should be combined with other healthy habits like exercise and balanced meals.