Add Spices to Food When Eating Clean
When eating clean you may feel limited on what to use to add flavor to your foods. Mayo and ketchup contain fat and sugars, while many salad dressings are the same. There are a few spices you may not use on a regular basis that are not only flavorful but have health benefits as well. Here are several just to start off.
Ginger
This spice tastes great in almost everything. Often used in Asian cuisine, it can also be used in desserts or made into tea. Health benefits include reduction of joint pain as it contains polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory compounds.
Cinnamon
Another great spice to add to oatmeal, cereals, smoothies, or on top of fruit. Cinnamon is known for its cholesterol lowering benefits.
Red Chili Peppers
I’ve written about the benefits hot peppers before and if you like spice don’t be afraid to use it. Chili peppers contain capsaicin which is known to reduce osteoarthritis pain as well as causing a slight boost in metabolism.
Turmeric
Often used in rice dishes, this spice contains curcumin which is believed to reduce muscle soreness as well as protect the brain from Alzheimer’s.
Vanilla
This spice goes well with so many foods and contains antioxidants that may help reduce muscle soreness and fight off age related diseases.
Homemade Salsa
Salsa is so easy to make yourself. A basic recipe is onion, green peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, and lemon. Chop up all of the vegetables by hand or using a food processor. Add a dash of salt to taste and squeeze some lemon juice into the mix. You have a low calorie condiment to liven up any dish.
Lemon
Squeezing lemon over fish or chicken or even creating a salad dressing with it adds some extra flavor to your food. Lemons are known to help aid in digestion as well as helping to flush out toxins.
