Add Spices to Change Your Body's Response to Food

Whether it is to improve your well-being or drop a few pounds for a special occasion, weight loss is the common goal and knowing how to set realistic expectations is key to determining how long it might take you to lose the weight. Including spices like hot peppers in your daily menus supports good weight management and overall health because they are low-calorie and full of nutrients. Nonetheless, don’t expect phenomenal weight-loss results as this is merely a piece of a much larger puzzle.

Herbs and Spices Are Antioxidant Powerhouses

Herbs and spices are antioxidant powerhouses that can add flavor, color and aroma to your menu plan. Sprinkling your favorite mix into your meals may be the trick to get you eating healthier and move the scales in the right direction. To add the benefits of herbs and spices to dietary intake, try adding fresh mint to your water or unsweetened tea; or garnish a salad with citrus zest; or wrap garlic cloves in foil and grill until tender; or even sprinkle cinnamon in your cup of Joe.

According to research conducted at Penn State University, if you eat a diet that rich in herbs and spices, it reduces your body's negative response to consuming a high-fat meal. The study group that added two tablespoons of herbs and spices with their meals had 30% less blood fats and 13% higher levels of antioxidants. By choosing whole foods instead of a plate filled with baked goods, you can curb your appetite by adding the right mix of herbs and spices.

Individualize Your Plan to Increase Chances for Success

Many people find it difficult to adhere to restricted diet plan for long periods, which is the primary reason that most fad diets fail. However, if you individualize your menu plan, you can increase your chances of success. Regardless of your goals, selecting a dietary pattern based on your food preferences and enhancing the taste can make losing weight less difficult. More recent studies, on whether participants put on weight or not, have focused on lifestyle factors other than dietary patterns, such as the amount of sleep an individual got or their overall gut health. Results suggest that you can improve your body's response to food by changing things like what time you eat rather than merely what you ate.