nutrition

7 Ways You Can Add More Herbs and Spices to Your Diet

Hey Angels and Alphas,

Now, we’re not here today to talk about the countless pros of home cooking, though we could if we wanted to. If you’re someone who is on a weight-loss journey or you’re trying to save excess calories while you’re on a budget, home cooking will help you do all of that and more. You already know this.

But what you probably don’t know is that, if you are getting tired of the same old recipes, there are actually things you can do to spice up your meals. Literally and figuratively.

By now, you might already be familiar with the benefits of using spices. They will add flavor and provide much-needed antioxidants that combat inflammation throughout the body.

That’s why today, we’re here to bring you 7 tips you can use right away if you want to switch up the fresh or dried herbs you use, or furthermore, transform your dishes from bland and boring to extra delicious:

#1 REPLACE PARSLEY WITH CILANTRO

If you want to quickly and easily add a more robust flavor to any sandwich or pasta dish, cilantro is here to help. Cilantro can be used as a pesto with a caprese, or just as a part of a salad with feta and avocado. Cilantro contains countless antimicrobial substances that protect your body against illness, especially food poisoning.

#2 REPLACE BASIL WITH MINT

Mint and basil essentially belong to the same family of herbs, and that’s exactly why they carry so many similarities. If you like Italian food such as pasta, mint and basil are usually interchangeable in Italian cuisine and the added mint brings a quite literal freshness to the entire table, not just the meal. Mint is richer in nutrients and has been linked to countless health benefits from relieving indigestion to improving brain function. With Summer right around the corner, this is a great opportunity for you to add some more refreshing mint to your diet.

#3 FORGET ABOUT DRIED ITALIAN SEASONING AND TRY HERBES DE PROVENCE.

Herbes de Provence is a multi-purpose blend of spices that’s made with dried herbs local to France’s Provence region. It’s definitely not your standard blend of herbs and the ingredients (and their proportions) vary greatly depending on who you ask, but typically, they contain fennel, rosemary, marjoram, savory, thyme, and basil. You can easily transform any meal, especially roasted chicken, into a much more savory and delicate meal with just this simple swap of blends.

#4 REPLACE BASIL WITH ROSEMARY.

When you’re cooking fish, chicken, or beef (especially meatballs,) make sure you swap out basil for rosemary. Not only is the unique flavor and out-of-this-world aroma something to drool over, but rosemary is also a rich source of anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. It helps boost the immune system, improve blood circulation, and even improve mental performance.

#5 REPLACE ROSEMARY WITH TARRAGON. (In sauces and salad dressings.)

Yes, you might think this is somewhat of a brave swap, but recipe developers around the world really appreciate this switch. Both rosemary and tarragon are strong, powerful flavors. But tarragon also brings a hint of licorice which can basically change the entire profile of a dish. Make sure to apply this to eggs, lamb, and chicken, places where rosemary is usually vital. Tarragon is scientifically proven to lower inflammation, pain, and reduce blood sugar, making it an amazing herb for people dealing with heart problems.

#6 PUT PARSLEY OR LEMON BALM IN YOUR PESTO

Instead of basil. A classic basil pesto works wonders. But if you want to try something new and all the more delicious, replace basil with parsley or lemon balm. Parsley pesto has a fresh and green taste to it, whereas lemon balm pesto is a lot milder with a delicate hint of lemon that really opens up meals and salads like nothing else can

#7 USE WATER IN YOUR HERB MIX

We all know how important drinking water is when it comes to losing weight and just generally being healthy. But adding fresh spices, herbs, and other natural flavors to your water can make it much easier to reach your hydration target and even make it easier to enjoy meals. Most people just like to put lemon or mint in their water, but if you want to try something new, try infusing your water with rosemary, basil, or other unique flavors that tend to be smooth, subtle, and refreshing.

Leave a Comment

Our Affiliates