“What seasonings can I use to dress up the bland foods on my diet? I need some variety!”
Looking to other seasonings besides salt and sugar is a very healthy choice. Unfortunately, there are many people who really should cut down on their sodium intake but don’t realize that they are consuming too much simply because they aren’t adding salt to their foods. (For more information on this, check out Tristi’s blog on sodium and how decreasing her sodium has helped her to lose a good chunk of poundage. Yeah, Tristi!)
I keep a lot of spices in my kitchen. In fact, I have a whole cupboard of them. My mother, on the other hand keeps only about a handful on hand. I find the more selection you have, the more interesting you can make your food, especially the generally bland stuff.
Here are a few things I couldn’t live without:
Lemon juice: I add a splash of this to my water bottle if I’m getting tired of plain water. I also use it to marinate chicken breasts.
Crushed garlic: Italian readers may scream at the thought of not using only fresh garlic, but I find having a small jar of crushed garlic in the refrigerator is incredibly convenient. I use garlic on practically every meat and fowl I cook.
Garlic powder: Another shortcut that Italians may not like but it is really handy. A little garlic powder on meats or in a stir fry can add just the touch of flavor you need. Garlic is also very good for your heart.
Cinnamon: Did you know that cinnamon boosts your metabolism? I like to keep some cinnamon and Splenda mixed in a salt shaker (without the salt, of course) for those days when I just need a sweet, starchy treat like cinnamon toast.
Mrs. Dash: I love these seasoning blends! If you don’t have a lot of cupboard space or don’t want to be bothered with learning what spices go together well, this is the answer for you! You can use Mrs. Dash on meats, vegetables, sauces, soups and even in breads. These are an excellent way to increase flavor without increasing sodium intake.