Nutrition selection

Low calorie foods for balanced eating: to decide fast

Written by NutriDecide Editorial Team Last updated: 2026-07-05

A curated food list to compare nutrients, calories and dietary context without focusing on just one item.

Use the tables to compare real options for your goal — values are per 100 g unless stated otherwise on the label.

Type: Food pages Focus: Nutrition Goal: Health & performance
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Nutrition selection

Low calorie foods for balanced eating: to decide fast

A curated food list to compare nutrients, calories and dietary context without focusing on just one item.

Protein Fiber Vitamins Minerals Energy Balance

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Page summary

🍽️

Total foods

100

items analyzed

Best choice

Soy dessert, plain, no added sugars, fortified with calcium, fermented, refrigerated

💪

Average protein

2,7 g

per 100g

🌿

Average carbs

3,9 g

per 100g

🔥

Average fat

17,4 g

per 100g

Quick assessment

Our analysis

This list features 100 low-calorie foods from DATA.top_foods and DATA.foods, carefully selected for quick, balanced decision-making. For example, Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits, stands out with just 40 calories per 100g and a good amount of protein, making it a versatile choice for healthy snacking or light meals.

Focus is on calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and key nutrients, helping you identify foods that support weight management or overall health efficiently.

👍 Positive points

  • ✅ List with 100 foods; Soy dessert, plain, no added sugars, fortified with calcium, fermented, refrigerated ranks among the top picks.
  • ✅ Leader in Calories: Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits (40 kcal per 100 g).
  • ✅ Top of the ranking: Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits (Protein 3.96, Calories 40, Carbs 5.65).

⚠️ Points to watch

  • ⚠️ Large list — compare portions and context, not just table rank.
  • ⚠️ Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits packs more calories (40 kcal per 100 g) — watch portions.
  • ⚠️ Filters and the general health angle define who enters the list — read the table in that lens.

Full analysis

Page summary

This list features 100 low-calorie foods from DATA.top_foods and DATA.foods, carefully selected for quick, balanced decision-making. For example, Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits, stands out with just 40 Calories per 100g and a good amount of Protein, making it a versatile choice for general general healthy snacking or light meals.

Focus is on Calories, Protein, carbohydrates, Fat, Fiber, and key nutrients, helping you identify foods that support weight management or overall general general health efficiently.

How to read this page

This curated list emphasizes foods with up to 160 Calories per 100g and at least 1 gram of Protein. Foods are ordered by increasing Calories and then by highest Protein content per 100g, making it easy to find the most macro-balanced options quickly. All values are per 100g, a practical portion size—just remember to adjust based on your actual serving.

This method helps you quickly compare macro and micronutrients for informed eating, aligned with your general general health goals for weight control, muscle support, or general nutrition wellness.

Practical tip

When choosing from this list, compare macros: prioritize foods with lower Calories and Carbs if aiming for weight loss, but ensure they provide enough Protein for satiety. Foods like yogurt and artichokes offer low Calories paired with Fiber and moderate Protein, making them ideal for filling snacks or light meals that support your goals.

Top standout foods and why they rank well

  • Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits: 40 Calories, nearly 4 grams of Protein, minimal Fat, and some calcium, perfect for a nutritious, satisfying snack that keeps calorie count low.
  • Artichokes, cooked, drained, without oil, with salt: Also at 40 Calories, with very high Fiber (5.68g) and good Protein (2.88g), supporting digestion and fullness without additional Calories.
  • Green beans, pod, braised (with oil, garlic and onion), with salt: 40 Calories, 2.58g Protein, and 3.43g Fiber, which adds volume to your meal without excess Calories.
  • Artichoke, frozen, raw: 40 Calories, 2.3g Protein, and notable vitamin C (9.0mg), essential for immune general general health.
  • Salad, beetroot, raw, without oil, unsalted: 40 Calories, 1.95g Protein, and 7.74g Carbs, offering antioxidants and nutrients for overall general general health.

These standouts combine low energy with beneficial Fiber, Protein, and micronutrients, supporting satiety and immune function while keeping calorie intake minimal.

How to choose based on your goal

For weight loss: Choose foods under 50 kcal/100g with high Fiber, like artichokes and green beans, to promote fullness without adding Calories.

For muscle gain: Prioritize higher-Protein options such as yogurt and artichokes, which help with muscle repair and growth while maintaining low Calories.

For overall general general health: Select nutrient-dense foods like artichokes and leafy greens (e.g., arugula or spinach) that provide essential vitamins and minerals. Many of these, like the various salads and greens, appear in this list, supporting your balanced diet.

Common mistakes when using this list

One common mistake is focusing solely on calorie counts without considering macro balance. For example, some foods like soy desserts or canned vegetables may have higher fats or Carbs that impact your dietary plan if not balanced properly.

Another error is neglecting portion sizes: all values are per 100g, but your actual serving may differ, influencing your macro and calorie intake. Always adjust portions accordingly to your needs.

Finally, don't rely on these foods alone; pair low-calorie options with general general healthy fats or proteins to create satisfying, nutritionally balanced meals and avoid nutrient gaps.

Next practical step for the reader

Start by selecting foods that match your caloric and macro targets—yogurt and artichokes are excellent choices to begin with. Compare their nutrient profiles to ensure you get enough Protein and Fiber without exceeding calorie limits. Use this data to plan your daily meals and snacks for balanced, general general healthful eating.

Keep in mind that this list is based on DATA and educational purposes. For personalized dietary guidance, consult a general general healthcare professional or registered dietitian tailored to your general general health needs.

How to interpret this page

🔥 Calories: Calories show energy per 100 g and help you compare portion impact across foods. Use them with protein and carbs to see whether an option fits maintenance, deficit, or surplus goals. A low score does not mean a food is ‘bad’ — it reflects nutrient density for general health, not your specific plan.

💪 Protein: Protein per 100 g shows how concentrated a food is as a protein source. Higher values support muscle recovery, satiety, and meal balance when that is your priority. Compare foods on this page rather than judging a single macro in isolation.

🌾 Carbs: Carbs matter most in context: training days, ketogenic diets, and endurance goals change what ‘good’ looks like. Powders such as maltodextrin score lower on our general-health scale because they are energy-dense with little protein, fiber, or micronutrients — not because they are never useful.

🥑 Fat: Fat carries more than twice the calories per gram than protein or carbs, so small portion changes matter. Moderate fat levels can support hormones and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Use this column with calories when balancing satiety and energy density.

Tip: combine the table with your goal — weight loss, muscle gain, low carb, endurance, or general health. The score helps compare options on this page; it does not replace medical or sports-nutrition advice.

Nutrition facts (per 100g)

The data shown is filtered to match this page’s topic.

The NutriDecide score (1–10) ranks foods on this page by protein, nutrient density, fiber, and a general-health lens — not by taste or whether they fit a specific diet. Low scores (e.g. maltodextrin) usually mean fewer nutrients per calorie; high scores (e.g. soy protein isolate) mean stronger protein and micronutrient density. It is a comparison tool: a low score does not forbid a food when it matches your goal.

FoodCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberScore
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Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits

40,04,05,70,11,2 3/10
🍽️

Artichokes, cooked, drained, without oil, with salt

40,02,96,20,35,7 4/10
🍽️

Green beans, pod, braised (with oil, garlic and onion), with salt

40,02,64,41,43,4 3/10
🍽️

Artichoke, frozen, raw

40,02,37,50,12,0 3/10
🍽️

Salad, beetroot, raw, without oil, unsalted

40,01,97,70,13,4 3/10
🍽️

Roasted vegetables, with salt (eggplant, zucchini, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and green beans (pod), without oil, with salt)

40,01,77,70,23,0 3/10
🍽️

Salad, butterhead lettuce, with sauce for salad - parsley, lemon juice, with olive oil, with salt

40,01,70,63,52,2 3/10
🍽️

Salad, butterhead lettuce, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinegar, with olive oil, with salt

40,01,60,53,52,2 3/10
🍽️

Salad, leaves, with sauce for salad, with salt (butterhead and lollo rossa lettuce, arugula, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinager, olive oil, with salt)

40,01,60,63,42,1 3/10
🍽️

Green beans, pod, cooked, drained, with soy oil, with salt

40,01,62,62,52,3 3/10
🍽️

Green beans, pod, cooked, drained, with soy oil, unsalted

40,01,62,62,52,3 3/10
🍽️

Salad, spinach, leaf, cooked, with sauce ( tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and oil), with salt

40,01,62,32,71,6 3/10
🍽️

Salad, chicory greens, with sauce for salad - tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and olive oil, unsalted

40,01,52,32,82,4 3/10
🍽️

Celery, braised (with oil, onion and garlic), unsalted

40,01,35,81,31,6 3/10
🍽️

Salad, chicory (curly endive), with sauce for salad - parsley, lemon juice, with olive oil, with salt

40,01,21,03,52,1 3/10
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Sauce, worcestershire, ready-to-eat, Brazil

40,01,28,90,00,2 2/10
🍽️

Salad, chicory (curly endive), with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinegar, with olive oil, with salt

40,01,10,93,52,1 3/10
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Vegetables, sauteed, with salt (potato, carrot, chayote, with tomato, bell pepper, parsley, chive, with oil, onion and garlic, with salt)

40,01,16,01,31,7 3/10
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Beetroot, raw

40,21,66,387,62,8 3/10
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Mixed diced vegetables, canned, drained

40,42,35,687,03,2 3/10
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Veal stock, prepacked

40,93,12,40,1 3/10
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Feta-type cheese, 100% from cow's milk, in oil and spices, drained

41,09,80,50,1 5/10
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Mung beans, mature seeds, sprouted, cooked, drained, without oil, unsalted

41,04,25,80,12,0 4/10
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Mung beans, mature seeds, sprouted, cooked, drained, without oil, with salt

41,04,25,80,12,0 4/10
🍽️

Brazilian leaf, ´Serralha´, braised (with oil, onion and garlic), unsalted

41,03,32,32,14,3 4/10
🍽️

Collard green, cooked, drained, with soy oil, unsalted

41,02,61,12,92,8 3/10
🍽️

Collard green, cooked, drained, with soy oil, with salt

41,02,61,12,92,8 3/10
🍽️

Green beans, pod, braised (with oil, garlic and onion), unsalted

41,02,64,41,43,5 3/10
🍽️

Beverage, cappuccino (low fat cow´s milk, coffee - 10% infusion and cocoa without sugar), without sugar, Brazil

41,02,25,81,01,9 3/10
🍽️

Baby food - ground meat beef (knuckle), cornmeal and spinach, with chicken broth, with onion, without oil, with salt

41,01,97,50,41,5 3/10
🍽️

Salad, leaves, with sauce for salad, with salt (butterhead and lollo rossa lettuce, arugula, with sauce for salad - parsley, lemon juice, olives oil, with salt)

41,01,70,83,42,2 3/10
🍽️

Salad, spinach, leaf, cooked, with sauce ( tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and oil), unsalted

41,01,62,52,71,6 3/10
🍽️

Salad, leaves, with sauce for salad, with salt (iceberg (crispyhead) and lollo rossa lettuce, watercress, with sauce for salad - parsley, lemon juice, olives oil, with salt)

41,01,50,93,51,7 3/10
🍽️

Cabbage, white, cooked, drained, with soy oil and, unsalted

41,01,52,72,71,2 3/10
🍽️

Cabbage, white, cooked, drained, with soy oil and, with salt

41,01,52,72,71,2 3/10
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Salad, leaves, with sauce for salad, with salt (iceberg (crispyhead) and lollo rossa lettuce, watercress, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple juice, olives oil, with salt)

41,01,50,83,51,7 3/10
🍽️

Juice, orange and beetroot, without sugar

41,01,28,50,22,4 3/10
🍽️

Salad, chard, with tomato, with olive oil, with salt

41,01,22,72,81,4 3/10
🍽️

Salad, radish, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinager, olive oil, with salt

41,01,11,43,41,7 3/10
🍽️

Salad, cabbage, white, raw, with sauce ( tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and oil), unsalted

41,01,13,12,61,6 3/10
🍽️

Salad, cabbage, white, raw, with sauce ( tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and oil), with salt

41,01,03,22,61,6 3/10
🍽️

Salsify, frozen, raw

41,12,34,785,85,8 4/10
🍽️

Palm heart, canned, drained

41,52,55,590,22,2 3/10
🍽️

Tomato sauce for pizza

41,52,04,786,82,8 3/10
🍽️

Onion, red, sautéed/pan-fried, without added fat

41,51,77,587,92,1 3/10
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Beetroot, cooked

41,51,47,188,32,5 3/10
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Baby food jar with vegetables and starchy food, from 4-6 months

41,71,36,589,81,8 3/10
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Yogurt, lactose free, low fat, natural (imported data)

42,04,95,20,20,0 3/10
🍽️

Soy dessert, plain, no added sugars, fortified with calcium, fermented, refrigerated

42,03,61,191,40,6 3/10
🍽️

Brazilian leaf, ´Serralha´, braised (with oil, onion and garlic), with salt

42,03,32,62,14,3 4/10

Vitamins and minerals

Showing top foods: 12 / 100
🍽️

Food

Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits

Minerals

Calcium 123,0
Iron 0,1
Magnesium 13,0
Phosphorus 96,5
Potassium 152,5
Sodium 48,0
Zinc 0,3

Vitamins

Vitamin A 13,3
Vitamin C 2,5
Vitamin D
Vitamin E 0,0
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
🍽️

Food

Artichokes, cooked, drained, without oil, with salt

Minerals

Calcium 21,0
Iron 0,6
Magnesium 41,9
Phosphorus 72,8
Potassium 285,0
Sodium 187,0
Zinc 0,6

Vitamins

Vitamin A 0,0
Vitamin C 7,4
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,2
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3 1,1
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,1
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Green beans, pod, braised (with oil, garlic and onion), with salt

Minerals

Calcium 44,3
Iron 0,6
Magnesium 30,0
Phosphorus 41,1
Potassium 293,0
Sodium 127,0
Zinc 0,5

Vitamins

Vitamin A 17,7
Vitamin C 1,7
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,5
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,0
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Artichoke, frozen, raw

Minerals

Calcium 45,0
Iron 1,5
Magnesium 12,0
Phosphorus 130,0
Potassium 430,0
Sodium 47,0
Zinc 0,1

Vitamins

Vitamin A 8,0
Vitamin C 9,0
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,2
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
🍽️

Food

Salad, beetroot, raw, without oil, unsalted

Minerals

Calcium 14,4
Iron 0,3
Magnesium 21,7
Phosphorus 19,4
Potassium 375,0
Sodium 9,7
Zinc 0,5

Vitamins

Vitamin A 0,9
Vitamin C 3,1
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,0
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,0
Vitamin B2 0,0
Vitamin B3 0,0
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,0
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Roasted vegetables, with salt (eggplant, zucchini, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and green beans (pod), without oil, with salt)

Minerals

Calcium 31,2
Iron 0,4
Magnesium 19,3
Phosphorus 34,0
Potassium 270,0
Sodium 124,0
Zinc 0,2

Vitamins

Vitamin A 167,0
Vitamin C 13,4
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,8
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,0
Vitamin B2 0,0
Vitamin B3 0,0
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,0
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Salad, butterhead lettuce, with sauce for salad - parsley, lemon juice, with olive oil, with salt

Minerals

Calcium 34,4
Iron 0,7
Magnesium 9,3
Phosphorus 26,5
Potassium 349,0
Sodium 57,5
Zinc 0,4

Vitamins

Vitamin A 191,0
Vitamin C 22,8
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,8
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3 0,7
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,1
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Salad, butterhead lettuce, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinegar, with olive oil, with salt

Minerals

Calcium 32,9
Iron 0,7
Magnesium 9,1
Phosphorus 25,9
Potassium 347,0
Sodium 57,6
Zinc 0,4

Vitamins

Vitamin A 191,0
Vitamin C 21,5
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,8
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3 0,7
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,1
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Salad, leaves, with sauce for salad, with salt (butterhead and lollo rossa lettuce, arugula, with sauce for salad - parsley, apple vinager, olive oil, with salt)

Minerals

Calcium 58,6
Iron 1,4
Magnesium 13,6
Phosphorus 35,0
Potassium 319,0
Sodium 58,3
Zinc 0,4

Vitamins

Vitamin A 209,0
Vitamin C 30,1
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,7
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,1
Vitamin B2 0,0
Vitamin B3 0,4
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,1
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Green beans, pod, cooked, drained, with soy oil, with salt

Minerals

Calcium 34,8
Iron 0,3
Magnesium 9,5
Phosphorus 22,4
Potassium 92,5
Sodium 127,0
Zinc 0,2

Vitamins

Vitamin A 11,2
Vitamin C 0,7
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,5
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Green beans, pod, cooked, drained, with soy oil, unsalted

Minerals

Calcium 34,8
Iron 0,3
Magnesium 9,5
Phosphorus 22,5
Potassium 92,8
Sodium
Zinc 0,2

Vitamins

Vitamin A 11,3
Vitamin C 0,7
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 0,5
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12 0,0
🍽️

Food

Salad, spinach, leaf, cooked, with sauce ( tomato, onion, parsley, vinegar and oil), with salt

Minerals

Calcium 53,7
Iron 0,3
Magnesium 25,8
Phosphorus 22,9
Potassium 175,0
Sodium 138,0
Zinc 0,3

Vitamins

Vitamin A 101,0
Vitamin C 3,5
Vitamin D 0,0
Vitamin E 2,0
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 0,1
Vitamin B2 0,1
Vitamin B3 0,0
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 0,1
Vitamin B12 0,0

Analysis

💪

Protein

Low

🌾

Carbs

Low

🥑

Fat

Low

🔥

Calories

Low

🏆

Summary

Decide better

Frequently asked questions

What is the Low calorie foods for balanced eating: to decide fast list for?

It groups 100 filtered foods; Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits is a standout for the general health angle.

Where to start in the table?

Start with Yogurt, nonfat, with fruits, Artichokes, cooked, drained, without oil, with salt, Green beans, pod, braised (with oil, garlic and onion), and compare protein, fiber, and calories per 100 g.

How to read the list numbers?

All values are per 100 g. Adjust mentally for the portion you actually eat.

Are values per serving or per 100 g?

On this page, unless noted otherwise, main macros are per 100 g.

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