If you love sauces, dressings, and marinades, you’re likely consuming more calories than you’re even aware of. There are other ways to add flavor to your food without the risk of gaining weight. In fact, you’re likely to have some of the most amazing, flavorful ingredients you need in your cupboard or pantry already. If you don’t have them on hand, they’re easy to acquire at your local supermarket or farmers market.
Some ways to add flavor to your meals without piling on the calories include:
- Herbs and Spices. If given the option, buy fresh parsley, mint, thyme, cilantro, and basil to add to your favorite dishes. Also look for dried oregano, curry powder, rosemary, and cumin in the spice aisle.
- Fresh Fruit Juices. A squeeze of citrus brightens dishes. Choose orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. You can also use a splash of pineapple juice to sweeten things naturally.
- Powdered Beverages. Instant coffee and espresso powders as well as different flavored teas add a layer of flavor that’s outstanding to many dishes. Four teaspoons of instant coffee have a mere 10 calories. Espresso powder has none!
- Hot Sauces. Kick it up a notch with a splash of Tabasco, Sriracha or another variety of hot sauce. If you love things hot and spicy, this is a great way to turn a dish into something you devour.
- Flavored Vinegars. Unlike creamy dressings that are full of calories, flavored vinegars brighten up salads for under 10 calories. Choose a flavor to try and add fresh chopped herbs to the vinegar. Splash it over steamed vegetables and enjoy!
If you’re not certain how many calories an herb, spice or juice has, use the INRFOOD app for iOS or Android to find that out. It’s free to download and easy to use. Its comprehensive food database gives you access to over 500,000 foods as well as the ingredients that make up your favorite meals and snacks.
Add flavor to your meals without piling on the calories. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to do. Experiment with different flavor combinations and enjoy the food you eat even more than you did before.