Losing weight is hard, so why to make it harder by eating bland food? Instead of cooking up an unseasoned food or noshing on raw salads, delve into your kitchen for spices that can help you lose weight. From spices as simple as black pepper to one of our favorites, turmeric, here are some common spices that will help you shed those pounds. As we all know in every Indian household we have the magic box called ‘Masala Dabba’ which is filled with different spices & herbs that helps in enhancing flavor of the food as well as adds zing to our body which will helps us in weight loss & enhancing our health. Following are the few spices & herbs which aids in weight loss.
Black pepper
The desi super food is packed with Vitamin A, K, C, and minerals like calcium, potassium and sodium. According to researchers, piperine, a component in black pepper, helps to block the formation of new fat cells which helps in weight loss. Other Benefits- Reduces inflammation and excess gas, optimize gastrointestinal action by regulating enzymatic reactions. It helps in controlling heart rate and blood pressure and prevent cancer due to its antioxidant properties.
How/when to have- You can add in foods like Tea, Eggs, dahi, paneer and oatmeal. Best time to have in mornings
Cardamom-
Cardamom has long been an Ayurvedic staple for clearing up ‘ama’ or toxins in the body. Modern science recognizes this as its diuretic effect – water retention can make you look puffy. It also prevents deposition of fat in the abdomen, lower the bad cholesterol, triglycerides and improves glucose tolerance, all of which raise your risk of metabolic syndrome. It can also balance the gut flora and boost digestion.
How/when to have- Add a pinch of this crushed cardamom to some light tea or coffee, with or without low-fat milk or curd, also can be add to your oat meals/porridges, in your Rice dishes to get your daily dose.
Cayenne pepper
Another thermogenic spice, cayenne pepper will certainly put some zest into your meal. Like cardamom, cayenne helps raise the body’s temperature, which leads to a faster metabolism and therefore, weight loss. The active ingredient in cayenne, capsaicin, has been shown to reduce fat around the middle, especially in people with a high BMI. Other studies find that the spiciness of pepper might help curb your appetite, which is a bonus for anyone trying to lose weight.
How/when to have– it can be added in your breakfast eggs, in soups, salads or even in your dal.
Cinnamon
Studies have shown that cinnamon has multiple health benefits, including weight loss and lowering your risk of heart disease. It’s useful for the treatment of minor digestion issues, and even helps lower blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, without affecting good cholesterol (HDL) levels. High blood sugar is one of the leading causes of weight gain. Cinnamon helps reduce blood sugar levels naturally as it imitates insulin’s activity and increases insulin levels naturally. It also helps to slow down the process of food moving to the intestine. As a result, cinnamon can help you feel full longer, leading you to eat less food overall.
How/when to have– it can be added in the early morning mix of lemon and honey that will help you start your day in right way.
Cumin
Cumin contains phytosterols, chemicals found in certain plants that help inhibit the body’s absorption of cholesterol and it also reduces triglycerides or harmful fat in the blood which aids weight loss.
How/when to have– Soak 2 tablespoons of cumin seeds in water overnight and boil the seeds in the morning. Filter it to remove the seeds and squeeze a half-cut lemon to this and have.
Garlic
Garlic has long been known for its nutritional value. It reduces blood pressure and inflammation. According to a study from Seoul, Korea, garlic aids in weight loss and lessens the effects of unhealthy food on the body and liver. It also helps in reducing the symptoms of diabetes and reduced plaque build-up in the coronary arteries of heart patient.
How/when to have– You can consume a pc in the morning, or if you find the taste to pungent then you can add in your food and consume it.
Ginger
Gingerol, a component of ginger, helps with weight loss and improves blood sugar levels in the body. Ginger increases leptin levels in the body. Leptin is a protein produced by fat cells. Its job is to communicate to the brain that the body’s energy levels are correct — essentially that you have enough fat and energy stored to prevent starvation. When ginger increases leptin levels, the brain is tricked into thinking that your body is storing more fat and it can burn it off more efficiently which helps in weight loss.
How/when to have– ginger strands can be added in your morning drinks like tea, green tea or herbal tea or even in your soup or main course meal.
Turmeric
Turmeric has many health benefits including the reduction of inflammation and weight loss. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, helps prevent the accumulation of fat in the adipose, or fat, tissues of the body. It also helps reduce the amount of fat stored in the stomach and liver. Not only does curcumin prevent fat from collecting in the body, it also helps reduce the current amount of fat tissue in the body which helps in leaner look.
How/when to have– you can add turmeric to your milk, to the curd/yogurt/ buttermilk or you can have it with water.
Incorporating different weight loss-promoting strategies couldn’t be any more valuable than it is today. Two in three adults are considered overweight or obese. The problem has reached epidemic portions. Luckily, there are a seemingly endless amount of weight loss strategies at our fingertips.
The herbs and spices are certainly a beneficial add-on for your weight loss/whole foods diet approach. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it is only part of weight loss plan. Consume a well-balanced diet of healthy fats, high-fiber fruit and veggies, lean proteins, and always drink plenty of water to be healthy and that results in happy you.