Increasing your intake of nutrients might also improve the flavor of your meals. Fear of the unknown is the usual reason most people are afraid to add spices to their creations. In reality, spicing up the meals with Herbs and Spices takes plain fruits and vegetables to a higher level and creates a healthier you. When you add herbs to your meals, you increase not just the flavor but also help your family live a healthier life.
For an example let’s take a simple dish of sliced tomatoes. By adding a pinch of sea salt a little fresh ground black pepper and then drizzling it all with olive oil creates a dish that’s simple to make yet loaded with nutrients and health. Sprinkle some Italian parsley and garlic over the tomato before you drizzle it with olive oil and you’ll not only have a delicious side dish, you’ll have one that packs an extra nutritional punch.
The garlic is excellent for the immune system as it helps the body fight off disease. Garlic has been used for centuries to fight off a cold and there is scientific evidence to back up the folk lore. Scientific data has proven that Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Scientists also studied garlic in the fight against cancer. Because of the phytonutrients in garlic, it helps block the formation of cancer cells.
Garlic has cholesterol-lowering properties and lowers the LDL, the bad cholesterol, while it raises the HDL, the good cholesterol. The subjects of a study showed a 9 percent drop in cholesterol levels when they ate two cloves of garlic a day. Garlic protects the aorta and helps control hypertension by thinning the blood. Garlic could be called the spice of life. A study on the effects of garlic on impotence found the compounds in garlic are important in the production of nitric oxide synthase, necessary for obtaining an erection.
Adding the Italian parsley helps reduce the effects of garlic on your breath but, more importantly it adds tremendous nutritional value. Parsley contains vitamin A, K, C, folic acid, potassium and adds a little more fiber to your diet. It fights free radicals that cause the aging problem as well as cancer by being loaded with antioxidants. Don’t tell Popeye but he could of used parsley instead of spinach. It has not just additional iron but also magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper.
Does the little sprinkle add enough to fulfill you dietary need? No not at all. The addition of spices and herbs to flavor your food simply increases the nutritional intake and flavor without raising the amount of calorie intake. Using Herbs and Spices in meal preparation every day can make a big difference in your health.
A breakfast idea that increases your health while spicing up the start of your day is the addition of cinnamon to the breakfast fare. Adding cinnamon to your coffee filter with the coffee is a great way to start the day. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, add a little bit of sugar. Cinnamon or Ginger on your cereal will brighten eyes. It’s especially good on oatmeal.
Some of the benefits of cinnamon include iron, calcium and manganese. If your a diabetic like me, it helps regulate blood sugar. It attacks yeast infections, aids in various types of cancer, lowers cholesterol, preserves naturally, a great anti coagulant and helps to improve memory. Researchers at Copenhagen University gave patients a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey every morning for a month. After the first week the patients had considerable relief from arthritis. Walking without pain was possible for most after one month. This combination makes a great topping for toast.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up good tasting food. On the contrary, adding additional Herbs and Spices to your food makes them even healthier. Be on the lookout for ways to increase the nutritional content of your meals and adding Herbs and Spices is an excellent way to accomplish this. Your family will love you for it and they will never suspect they’re eating healthier.
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