Does Celery Really Have “Negative” Calories? A Nutritionist Weighs In

You may have heard a simple formula: Take a low-calorie food, do some chewing, and you wind up burning more calories than you take in. But negative-calorie foods are, in fact, just a myth, according to nutritionist Sharon Richter, RD. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that chewing gum burns about 11 calories an hour — and it definitely doesn’t take an hour to chew that celery stalk. The math doesn’t add up.

If you’re aiming to trim your calorie consumption, choosing some low-calorie veggies is a smart move, but celery, cucumbers and the like shouldn’t comprise your entire diet. “They should be part of a well-rounded diet with plenty of other kinds of fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting a range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs,” says Richter.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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