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Most Americans eat too much sodium, and, as a result, more people are being diagnosed with high blood pressure. The average intake of sodium is 3,400 milligrams per day – more than double the 1,500 milligrams that the American Heart Association recommends!
By following a heart-healthy, low-sodium diet you can decrease your chance of developing high blood pressure and other harmful effects.
But, reducing salt doesn’t have to mean reducing flavor! Herbs and spices are great salt substitutes and add intense flavor to all kinds of dishes. Here are five common herbs and spices and quick ways to incorporate them into your meals.
*Basil
-It’s highly fragrant leaves and are used in a variety of foods, but basil is most commonly used as the main ingredient in pesto. Whenever you can, try to use fresh basil over the dried form for more intense flavor. Blend with garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and pine nuts for a quick pesto sauce.
-Layer fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves for a colorful salad. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
-Freeze in an ice cube tray covered in water to use in soups later on.
*Oregano
-The warm, aromatic flavor of oregano makes it a perfect addition to Mediterranean and Mexican dishes.
-Garnish your pizza with fresh oregano.
-Sautee with mushrooms and onions. ( if you have an allergic to Mushrooms you can use Bell Peppers)
-Sprinkle chopped fresh oregano onto homemade garlic bread.
*Rosemary
-The wonderful fragrance and flavor of rosemary goes a long way to flavor chicken, lamb, pork and fish dishes, as well as soups and sauces. Before using rosemary, give it a quick rinse under cool water and pat dry. Most recipes call for rosemary leaves, which can easily be removed from the stem. You can also add whole sprigs to season roasts and soups.
-Seasoned chicken and lamb dishes.
-Add to your favorite soups or stews.
-Puree rosemary with olive oil for a dipping sauce for bread.
*Turmeric
-Turmeric has a peppery, warm flavor similar to orange and ginger. It’s used most commonly in curry dishes and to color mustard.
-Add to egg salad to bring out the yellow color.
-Sprinkle on steamed green beans or cauliflower.
Use 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder in your smoothies to increase the antioxidant power.
*Ginger
-This spicy, aromatic spice adds great flavor to Asian stir fries and veggie dishes. You can buy fresh ginger in the vegetable markets.
-Add to lemonade for spicy kick.
-Mince fresh ginger and add to sauteed veggies or salads.
-Grate fresh ginger into hot water and a splash of lemon for an invigorating hot drink.
The more herbs and spices you add, the less salt you will need for flavor. By lowering your sodium intake, you can decrease your chance of developing high blood pressure and other harmful effects. Take care of your heart!
These are great tips. In addition to the benefits of lowering salt intake and increasing flavor, there these benefits as well:
-Many herbs and spices include antioxidant, phytochemicals, and other properties that are shown by research to benefit have positive impacts on inflammation, heart health, digestion, cancer risk, infections disease, etc.
-Many can be easily grown in ones own home or garden which reduces cost and increases fresh supply.
The above just touches on the benefits. I could go on for pages.
Very useful tips on the
Benefits of herbs which should never be ingnored no matter how busy your life is
A small piece of advice in continuation to herbs… Daily dose of mint chatney by adding …Ginger ,garlic, lemon juice/ green amla /raw mangon,capsicum and corriender leaves
Can have in any or every meal
Thanks a lot for your advice Nishi