Spices add flavor, no empty calories, and have a ton of nutritional perks! Learning how to work with them can totally change your food game! Here are 5 spices we love, and how to use them:
Turmeric
Health Benefits: Turmeric is a very power anti inflammatory. What does that mean? Inflammation is the underlying cause for every chronic disease in the book. Lowering inflammation means lowering your risk for all of these diseases. It is also a powerful antioxidant which stops the body from breaking down!
How To Use: Marinate chicken in olive oil, salt, pepper and turmeric. You can also coat chick peas in a bowl with olive oil and turmeric, bake on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 40 minutes for a super healthy, crunchy snack!
Cinnamon
Health Benefits: Cinnamon actually helps to lower blood sugar. This is perfect to help someone who might be pre diabetic, or already has diabetes.
How To Use: To help lower blood sugar, studies have shown .5-2 teaspoons a day is most effective. Mix into your morning coffee or protein shake and watch that blood sugar fall!
Garlic
Health Benefits: Don't reach for the vitamin C, reach for the garlic! Garlic can help protect against the common cold, but it also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol too
How To Use: Use garlic in any dish to add flavor, or roast with veggies. To roast garlic, coat in olive oil with selected veggies. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes and enjoy!
Peppermint
Health Benefits: Peppermint is great for digestion and has shown to help people who suffer from IBS. Peppermint relaxes the muscles in the colon reducing gastrointestinal symptoms
How To Use: Add peppermint oil to teas, or even your water! Refreshing and good for your gut!
Cayenne
Health Benefits: This spice dose actually help reduce appetite and burn fat. It also is thought to help reduce cancer risk in some individuals as well.
How To Use: One gram has been proven to be effective. Add to chili, stir fry, or use to flavor dishes such as tacos!