Is celery actually negative calories on Reddit? A deep dive into the viral diet myth

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

A viral Reddit post questioning the "negative calorie" myth sparked thousands of comments and debates, with the community largely agreeing that while persistent, the idea that celery burns more energy than it provides is simply untrue. The fascination continues to inspire discussions among nutrition enthusiasts and those seeking healthy diet tips.

Quick Summary

This article explores the enduring negative-calorie food myth, focusing on celery. It debunks the concept using scientific evidence about the thermic effect of food and details how low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables support weight management and overall health.

Key Points

Negative-calorie concept is a myth: Scientific evidence, supported by discussions on Reddit and numerous nutrition sites, proves that no food requires more energy to digest than it contains.
Digestion expends minimal energy: The thermic effect of food (TEF) accounts for a small percentage of total daily energy expenditure, and for low-calorie items like celery, the energy spent digesting it is a fraction of its caloric content.
Celery is nutritionally dense and low in calories: A medium stalk of celery contains only about 6 calories but is rich in water, fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants, making it a healthy and filling snack.
Supports weight management through satiety: Celery's high water and fiber content helps create feelings of fullness, which can reduce overall calorie intake and assist with maintaining a calorie deficit.
Incorporate celery with healthy pairings: For a truly satisfying snack, pair celery sticks with protein and healthy fats, such as peanut butter or hummus, to prolong satiety.
Embrace nutrient-rich, low-calorie vegetables: Focus on the real benefits of vegetables like celery rather than chasing diet myths. A varied diet with low-calorie, high-volume foods is the best strategy for sustainable weight loss.

The Origins of the 'Negative Calorie' Myth

The myth of "negative calorie" foods has persisted in weight-loss discussions for decades, suggesting that certain foods, like celery, require more energy to digest than they contain, resulting in a net caloric loss. This idea is particularly popular on internet forums and platforms like Reddit, where users frequently question its validity. The theory sounds appealing: eat a specific food and burn calories effortlessly. However, this appealing idea is not supported by science.

The Science Behind Digestion and Energy

To understand why the negative calorie concept is a myth, one must understand the body's energy expenditure. A small portion of your daily energy is used for the digestion, absorption, and storage of food—a process called the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). For most food, this accounts for about 10% of the calories consumed. For a low-calorie food like celery, the energy required for digestion is a fraction of its already low caloric content. There are no known foods where the TEF is greater than the food's own caloric value. Evolutionary biology also suggests this would be counterintuitive; the body is designed for maximum energy efficiency, not to lose energy from eating.

Reddit Weighs In: Debunking the Myth

The Reddit community, particularly in subreddits focused on nutrition and weight loss, has been a key forum for discussing and debunking the celery myth. Threads in r/explainlikeimfive have addressed the question directly, with users and nutrition experts clarifying that the science does not support the idea. A common sentiment shared in forums like r/fatlogic is that while these foods are very low in calories, the idea of a net loss is simply "fat logic" or wishful thinking. Discussions often point to the fact that while a food might be very low in calories, like a medium stalk of celery with about 6 calories, the chewing and digestion process burns a fraction of that, still leaving a net positive gain.

What Makes Celery a Smart Diet Choice Anyway?

Despite not being a 'negative calorie' food, celery remains an excellent choice for a healthy diet, especially for weight management, thanks to its unique properties:

High Water Content: Composed of almost 95% water, celery is incredibly hydrating and helps fill the stomach, contributing to feelings of fullness or satiety.
Rich in Fiber: Its fibrous nature contributes to satiety and supports healthy digestion. Chewing on fibrous vegetables also sends signals to the brain that you're eating, which can help manage cravings.
Packed with Nutrients: Celery is a source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, folate, potassium, and antioxidants.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: The phytonutrients found in celery have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to overall health and may protect against chronic conditions.

Celery vs. Other Low-Calorie Vegetables: A Comparison


Feature	Celery	Cucumber	Broccoli	Carrot
Calories (per 100g)	~14-17 kcal	~15 kcal	~31 kcal	~41 kcal
Water Content	~95%	~95%	~89%	~88%
Fiber (per 100g)	1.6g	0.5g	2.6g	2.8g
Key Vitamins	K, C, A	K, C, B-vitamins	C, K, Folate	A, K, C
Best For	Crunchy snacks, soups, salads	Salads, sandwiches, hydration	Steamed side dish, stir-fries	Snacks, roasting, soups

Practical Tips for Incorporating Celery into Your Diet

Instead of chasing a myth, focus on using celery as a strategic tool for managing hunger and boosting nutrient intake. Here are some practical tips:

The Power of Pairing: Combine celery sticks with a protein and fat source, such as a tablespoon of peanut butter, hummus, or low-fat cottage cheese. This adds satisfying flavor and boosts satiety, helping you feel full for longer.
Bulk Up Your Meals: Add chopped celery to soups, stews, and salads. Its high volume and texture increase the portion size without significantly increasing calories.
Mindful Snacking: Keep pre-cut celery sticks in the fridge for an easy, crunchy, low-calorie snack, especially during the evenings when cravings often strike.
Juice Wisely: While celery juice is popular, eating whole celery is more beneficial for weight loss because it retains the fiber, which is crucial for filling you up.
Stay Hydrated: Celery’s high water content complements drinking plenty of water, which is a simple and effective way to feel full and support overall health.

Conclusion

The claim that celery is a "negative calorie" food is a persistent and appealing myth, but it's not supported by scientific evidence, as countless nutrition experts and Reddit users have noted. While no food truly has negative calories, celery’s nutritional profile makes it a powerful ally in a healthy diet. Its low-calorie density, high water and fiber content, and rich antioxidant profile mean it can effectively aid in weight management and improve overall health. By focusing on its proven benefits rather than a fictional claim, you can leverage celery to manage hunger, increase satiety, and build a more balanced eating plan. For more authoritative resources on nutrition, refer to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, celery is not a negative-calorie food. The idea that any food burns more calories to digest than it contains is a myth. While celery is very low in calories, digestion requires a minimal amount of energy, and your body always retains a net positive caloric gain.

A medium-sized stalk of celery contains approximately 6 calories. This exceptionally low-calorie count is why the negative-calorie myth became so popular, but it's important to remember it's still a net positive energy gain.

Eating celery can support weight loss, but not because it has negative calories. Its high water and fiber content helps you feel full and satisfied, which can lead to consuming fewer calories overall. It's a great low-calorie option for managing hunger.

The Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) is the energy your body uses to digest, absorb, and process nutrients. It typically accounts for about 10% of your total daily energy expenditure, and it is never greater than the total calories a food contains.

The myth persists because it is an appealing and seemingly simple concept for weight loss. The fact that foods like celery are very low in calories and high in water can make people assume they are 'free foods,' but this is a misconception not backed by science.

Yes, other low-calorie, high-water foods like cucumber, grapefruit, and lettuce are often mistakenly labeled as negative-calorie foods. Like celery, they are healthy options but still provide a small number of calories.

Use celery as a strategic tool for a calorie-controlled diet. Pair it with healthy dips like hummus for a satisfying snack, or add it to soups, stews, and salads to increase meal volume without adding many calories. This helps manage hunger effectively.