Flavouring Your Food the Figure Friendly Way

Most people rely on bottled sauces that are high in sugar, calories additives, preservatives and especially high in salt, to flavour their cooking. Not only are these NOT ideal for reaching your health & weight goals, they can be quite costly.

What are the health benefits of using fresh herbs and seasonings?

Garlic:

·         Immune boosting

·         Anti-histamine

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Lowers cholesterol & blood pressure

·         Cancer-fighting properties

·         Natural Antibiotic

Ginger

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Cancer-fighting properties

·         Immune boosting

·         Heartburn, migraine, digestive upset and menstrual cramp relief

Basil

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Anti-bacterial

·         Macula & Vision Protective

·         Cardiovascular protective

Onions

·         Anti-histamine

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Cardiovascular protective

·         Cancer-fighting properties

·         Natural Antibiotic & promotes good bacteria in the gut

Turmeric

·         Anti-bacterial

·         Cancer-fighting properties

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Metabolism Promoting

Chillies

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Metabolism Promoting

·         Cancer-fighting properties

·         Cardiovascular protective

Fennel

·         Heartburn, digestive upset and menstrual cramp relief

·         Aids in the treatment of anaemia

·         Vision Protective

Coriander

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Lowers cholesterol

·         Aids digestive upset

Rosemary

·         Antiseptic

·         Aids digestions

·         Cardiovascular protective

Sage

·         Antioxidant

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Cardiovascular protective

Fenugreek

·         Lowers cholesterol

·         Stabilizes blood sugar levels

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Aids Heartburn

Dill

·         Antioxidant

·         Anti-bacterial

·         Bone Protecting

Thyme

·         Anti-bacterial

·         Antiseptic

·         Antioxidant

·         Cancer-fighting properties

And the list continues….

Fresh vs Dried

·   -Not too much difference in nutritional value

·   -Drying does remove some flavour & nutritional value

·   -Commercially dried herbs with have some preservatives (which does reduce  nutritional value)

Cost Effective

·   Herbs can range from $0.99 to $4 (depending where you buy them from), and will continue to yield with little maintenance.

Herb Combinations

·         Parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon:

·         Basil, parsley and tarragon:

·         Thyme, oregano, and rosemary

·         Basil, bay leaf , oregano and parsley:

·         Basil, dill and parsley:

Find more here:  Herbs & Spices: What goes with what food?

References

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Herbs?open

Braun, L & Cohen, C 2007, Herbs and Natural Supplements, 2^nd edn., Elsevier, Sydney .