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Not only do herbs and spices provide flavor for very few calories, but they also have some amazing, disease-fighting antioxidants in them! Be sure to fill up your spice rack, cabinet or drawer with the list provided below; this way, you'll always be ready to spice up your recipes and rack up the health benefits!
Health Benefit: Can potentially lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol in people with Type 2 diabetes. Aim for a quarter to half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
Get Cooking: Dip berries or bananas in low-fat sour cream, then in a mix of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup brown sugar.
Health Benefit: Ginger can decrease motion sickness and nausea; may also relieve pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Doses used in clinical trials range from 500 to 2,000 mg of powdered ginger. (A quarter-sized piece of fresh root contains about 1,000 mg.) More than 6,000 mg can cause stomach irritation. Ginger can also hinder blood clotting, so if you're about to have surgery or are taking blood thinners or aspirin, be sure to talk to your doctor first.
Get Cooking: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger to vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, as well as fresh fruit (especially peaches).
