Herbs and spices definitely have the power to elevate your meals. Not only do they make your meals even more delicious; they also make them healthier. Most of the herbs used for cooking and preparing our food are packed with so many essential nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Some are even considered as medicinal plants because of their healing properties.
In addition, there are also certain herbs that may help you if you’re trying to lose weight. So instead of choosing pills and other invasive treatment that can be both harmful, why not try to explore natural, safer, healthier, and more effective ways? So what are the herbs that you need to start incorporating in your diet?
- Cardamom
Cardamom seeds from the ginger family are an aromatic spice that started to steal the spotlight in recent years, and deservedly so. Cardamom is thermogenic, which means that it triggers the body to produce heat. As a result, your metabolism is improved, allowing your body to increase its ability to burn fat.
No idea what to do with cardamom? If you don’t know yet, the dominant flavor in your favorite chai tea is green cardamom. But cardamom has many other uses – apple cake, shortbread, pancakes, poached fruit, and even ice cream among others.
- Cayenne Pepper
It’s no longer a secret how spicy food aids in weight loss. This is primarily the reason why cayenne pepper is on this list. Spicy food, particularly cayenne pepper, will help you reduce your food intake. Furthermore, it can condense your fat tissues, which leads to lower amount of blood fat in your body.
Since cayenne pepper is basically ground chilli flakes, using it in your meals should be a no-brainer. You can simply sprinkle cayenne on seafood and egg dishes. You can also add a dash to your soups and stews. Another less popular but definitely more enjoyable way to consume cayenne is by adding a little to your hot chocolate. Yum!
- Cinnamon
Now this one’s a familiar ingredient for some, but I bet not everyone knows cinnamon is actually good if you’re working on losing weight and maintaining it. How? Cinnamon helps maintain and regulate your blood sugar levels while keeping you satiated for a longer period. Including it in your diet will make you feel full for a while. In addition, it boosts your metabolism, allowing faster digestion.
You can sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon to your herbal tea, cereal bowl, or oatmeal. You can also enhance the taste of your pies with a bit of cinnamon. When choosing what cinnamon to put into your food, make sure that it’s fresh. It’s said that a cinnamon a day can help suppress your appetite, helping you lose weight and trim even the layers of fat in your tummy.
- Cumin
Cumin is the aromatic seeds of a plant that is related to the parsley. It is popularly used in curry powder. How does this support weight loss? Cumin helps correct your digestion problems. It also gives you extra energy, which allows you to be more physically active without tiring easily. In addition, cumin is also good for those with type 2 diabetes as it helps improve glycemic control.
Cumin is not only good for curry. Cumin has a pleasantly shocking but familiar spicy flavor and is great for enhancing the taste of your meats and vegetables. You can also use it to make your dips and tapas more exciting.
- Ginseng
Ginseng is more popularly known to boost energy and enhance stamina in men. But this herb is a must-have for both men and women as it helps control and maintain your weight, particularly the panax ginseng. According to one study done on diabetic mice, consuming ginseng improved their insulin sensitivity, leading to weight loss in just 12 days.
The roots of the ginseng are typically chewed in water to make a refreshing tea. However, ginseng is more versatile than that. The roots can also be used in soups as well as in other cooked or fried dishes. You can also sprinkle ginseng powder over your salads. Or if you prefer to taste it raw, you can chew it as it is.
- Turmeric
All curry lovers should thank those who discovered the turmeric, since this is the spice responsible for the bold color and great taste of curry. Aside from making everyone’s life colorful with cury, turmeric has many different health benefits and healing properties. Recently, several studies strengthened the relationship of turmeric and weight loss. It has been found that turmeric has the ability to reduce the formation of fat tissues.
It’s also very easy to include turmeric in your daily diet. For breakfast, you can add a pinch to your scramble eggs or frittatas. For lunch, you can add it to your rice and roasted vegetables. Turmeric also improved the taste of your greens, soups, and even smoothies.
In the recent years, there have been many pseudo-diet foods that are being introduced. But really, you don’t have to go too far. The best ones can be found in your spice rack and herb cabinet, and you can consume them in numerous creative ways.
