Spices and herbs add great taste to all foods. Many spices and herbs help in weight control.

• Stimulating your metabolism
• Fighting the development of fat cells
• Helping your body use sugar more efficiently
• Aiding digestion
• Preventing inflammation

Some of the Best Spices and Herbs

• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Mustard seed and prepared mustard
• Cardamom seed
• Cumin
• Cloves

Peppers

Chili peppers, powdered cayenne and black pepper have capsaicin, the chemical that gives them heat. Capsaicin also stimulates the metabolism, helping you to burn fat. You cannot consume too much of these peppers since they can be toxic. But, using them in cooking adds flavor.

• Black pepper is a seasoning usually on the table used to one’s taste
• Mustard seed also has capsaicin to speed metabolism

Ginger and Turmeric

These spices, along with clove, cardamom and peppers are used in curries. Turmeric and ginger are rhizome plants with edible roots. Turmeric is an orange color while ginger is yellow. The roots have to be lightly peeled and then grated. Ginger and turmeric are also available as powders.

Both of these spices are anti-inflammatory and they keep fat cells from expanding. Ginger and turmeric give a hot or spicy taste to foods. Experiment with the different curry mixtures available for rice, lentil and bean dishes. Curried chicken and seafood are also healthy.

Cinnamon

This popular spice from the bark of a tree helps to digest sugar and increase insulin. It is recommended for people with a tendency toward high blood sugar leading to diabetes. You do not have to mix cinnamon with sugar. Use is straight in coffee or on cereal. Add it to a fruit smoothie along with a little ginger.

Cardamom, Cloves and Cumin

If you enjoy Mexican food, you are familiar with cumin. This delicate spice from the seeds of a flowering plant is used extensively in cooking. It is also a digestive aid and it has been used to treat respiratory problems and skin disease.

Cardamon also comes from seeds. It has a strong flavor and it is thermogenic, meaning it helps to burn fat. This is an exotic spice that helps with digestion. Cloves have similar properties in boosting the immune systems while aiding digestion.

Experiment with Spices

Healthy eating does not have to be bland. You eat because you enjoy the taste and texture of food. These spices help with weight loss while adding great flavors. Look for different spice combinations in specialty food stores. Try Berbere, an exotic blend of spices from Ethiopia.

More from NYC Weightloss Solutions

NYC Weightloss Solutions offers several recipes using spices and herbs to stimulate your metabolism. Call us at (212) 759-8118 for a free consultation – or – click the icon below to set up an appointment online.

 

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