This episode of Dnews is brought to you by Domain.com.
This episode of Dnews is brought to you by Domain.com.

Zero-calorie foods are all the rage these days - but are they REALLY zero calories?
Zero-calorie foods are all the rage these days - but are they REALLY zero calories?

And is it even possible for a food to HAVE zero calories?
And is it even possible for a food to HAVE zero calories?

Hey guys, Tara here for Dnews - and I’m sure a lot of you out there drink diet soda
Hey guys, Tara here for Dnews - and I’m sure a lot of you out there drink diet soda

on occasion, and if so - perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering at times, “How
on occasion, and if so - perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering at times, “How

is it possible that this has zero calories?” Or for that matter, how can any food have
is it possible that this has zero calories?” Or for that matter, how can any food have

zero calories?
zero calories?

It’s an interesting question, and the truth is - they really can’t.
It’s an interesting question, and the truth is - they really can’t.

Aside from water, there is no truly zero calorie food or beverage. And here’s why you probably
Aside from water, there is no truly zero calorie food or beverage. And here’s why you probably

didn’t know that.
didn’t know that.

First off, most foods labeled as having “zero calories” - actually DO contain a small
First off, most foods labeled as having “zero calories” - actually DO contain a small

amount of calories. But as long as it’s less than 5, then the FDA legally allows manufacturers
amount of calories. But as long as it’s less than 5, then the FDA legally allows manufacturers

to round down - meaning a food with 4.9 calories, can still be listed as having zero.
to round down - meaning a food with 4.9 calories, can still be listed as having zero.

Splenda, the “zero calorie sweetener,”
Splenda, the “zero calorie sweetener,”

actually has 3.4 calories per packet. But for an even better example, let’s look at
actually has 3.4 calories per packet. But for an even better example, let’s look at

this product: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray. It’s advertised as a non-fat,
this product: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray. It’s advertised as a non-fat,

zero-calorie food with a serving size of 5 sprays. But it’s actually not zero-calorie,
zero-calorie food with a serving size of 5 sprays. But it’s actually not zero-calorie,

it contains 4 calories for every 5 sprays. And when you consider the fact that its main
it contains 4 calories for every 5 sprays. And when you consider the fact that its main

ingredient, soybean oil - contains about 120 calories per tbsp, then that means the entire
ingredient, soybean oil - contains about 120 calories per tbsp, then that means the entire

bottle - has almost 900 calories, even though it’s advertising suggests that it is a zero
bottle - has almost 900 calories, even though it’s advertising suggests that it is a zero

calorie food.
calorie food.

So misleading labels are definitely part of the problem. Another problem is the myth perpetuated
So misleading labels are definitely part of the problem. Another problem is the myth perpetuated

around “negative calorie foods.” These are things like celery or cucumbers, that
around “negative calorie foods.” These are things like celery or cucumbers, that

contain very few calories - and it’s a common misconception that your body expends more
contain very few calories - and it’s a common misconception that your body expends more

energy digesting them, than the amount of calories it takes in. Unfortunately, there’s
energy digesting them, than the amount of calories it takes in. Unfortunately, there’s

really no science to back that up.
really no science to back that up.

Let’s go back to the example of celery. A single stalk of celery has 6 calories, and
Let’s go back to the example of celery. A single stalk of celery has 6 calories, and

the “thermic effect” of celery - which is the percentage of its calories you burn
the “thermic effect” of celery - which is the percentage of its calories you burn

by digesting it - is around 8%. 8% of 6 calories is about half of a calorie - which means that
by digesting it - is around 8%. 8% of 6 calories is about half of a calorie - which means that

even after you account for digestion, your net calorie consumption is still 5 ½. Obviously
even after you account for digestion, your net calorie consumption is still 5 ½. Obviously

that’s negligible in the long run, but it proves an important point.
that’s negligible in the long run, but it proves an important point.

Foods with the highest thermic effect, are proteins - which still only have a thermic
Foods with the highest thermic effect, are proteins - which still only have a thermic

effect of around 20-35%. Meaning there are no truly negative-calorie foods or beverages.
effect of around 20-35%. Meaning there are no truly negative-calorie foods or beverages.

Except… for ice water. Ice water technically has zero calories, but your body has to expend
Except… for ice water. Ice water technically has zero calories, but your body has to expend

extra energy to bring it back up to your normal body temperature - and for 8 oz of water,
extra energy to bring it back up to your normal body temperature - and for 8 oz of water,

that burns about 8 calories. So theoretically, if you were drinking 8 8oz glasses of ice
that burns about 8 calories. So theoretically, if you were drinking 8 8oz glasses of ice

water a day, you’d be burning about 64 calories a day - for a year, that equates to 6 ½ pounds.
water a day, you’d be burning about 64 calories a day - for a year, that equates to 6 ½ pounds.

Now as far as weight loss is concerned, it’s minimal - but of course the other benefits
Now as far as weight loss is concerned, it’s minimal - but of course the other benefits

from drinking that much water definitely aren’t.
from drinking that much water definitely aren’t.

Now, what about foods that are heavy in mass, but claim to have zero or very low calories?
Now, what about foods that are heavy in mass, but claim to have zero or very low calories?

How do those work? Well, the idea is that those foods are made up of ingredients your
How do those work? Well, the idea is that those foods are made up of ingredients your

body simply can’t break down. If you were to think about it in very abstract terms,
body simply can’t break down. If you were to think about it in very abstract terms,

you could almost liken it to eating a piece of plastic - your body can’t digest it,
you could almost liken it to eating a piece of plastic - your body can’t digest it,

so it simply passes through your system, meaning you don’t consume or burn calories from
so it simply passes through your system, meaning you don’t consume or burn calories from

eating it.
eating it.

Now most of the time, foods that are like that, contain a lot of fiber, which is indigestible
Now most of the time, foods that are like that, contain a lot of fiber, which is indigestible

by humans - although we still consume it, because it keeps our intestines flowing and
by humans - although we still consume it, because it keeps our intestines flowing and

healthy. So if you were to eat a big, heavy hunk of food that was almost entirely fiber,
healthy. So if you were to eat a big, heavy hunk of food that was almost entirely fiber,

it would still have an extremely low calorie count, because your body can’t absorb any
it would still have an extremely low calorie count, because your body can’t absorb any

of it.
of it.

So you see, the idea of a zero calorie food - is pretty much a misconception. Almost all
So you see, the idea of a zero calorie food - is pretty much a misconception. Almost all

foods, even those labeled as “zero calorie” - do contain a small amount of calories. And
foods, even those labeled as “zero calorie” - do contain a small amount of calories. And

the only true “negative calorie” food - is water. Which isn’t even a food. EVERYTHING
the only true “negative calorie” food - is water. Which isn’t even a food. EVERYTHING

WE KNOW IS WRONG!
WE KNOW IS WRONG!

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In the meantime, let us know in the comments what you think of this episode - and if there
In the meantime, let us know in the comments what you think of this episode - and if there

are any other misconceptions about food you’d like cleared up. That’s it for me, but as
are any other misconceptions about food you’d like cleared up. That’s it for me, but as

always - thank you guys for watching!
always - thank you guys for watching!