How to Use the Spice Rack to Cook Healthier Meals

In today’s stressful environment, many South Africans have set their sights on living healthier lives and putting their family’s well-being first. At Robertsons we support this notion wholeheartedly. This is why all the products in our range contain zero GMO, have no MSG, and are non-irradiated for your peace of mind. But did you know that some spices even have health benefits?

What are the healthiest spices? And how can you incorporate them into your recipes to ensure that your family is getting all the goodness available from the healthy seasoning you cook with? We set out to highlight a few spice health benefits and combinations to add to your food for flavour you can taste and health benefits that may surprise you.

Five Healthy Spices To Liven Up Your Cooking

• Anti-nausea ginger

• Anti-inflammatory turmeric

• Better blood pressure garlic

• Healthy heart cinnamon

• Antibacterial nutmeg

Anti-Nausea Ginger

Ginger is a natural nausea fighter and has been known to help fight the common cold and build immunity against the flu. Ginger can be taken raw or dried and is delicious in beverages like tea or in baking.

Many Asian recipes incorporate ginger such as these Ginger, Chilli & Garlic Barbecue Chicken Rice Paper Rolls that not only taste delicious but also give your immune system a little nudge. For another scrumptious Asian recipe with ginger, try these low carb Asian Lettuce Wraps - wonderfully colourful and delightfully tasty!

This root is so versatile it can be use in many other styles of cooking too. Add it to soups, smoothies, curries and more!

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric

Turmeric is celebrated as a spice with many health benefits. It contains curcumin which has proven benefits for brain function. It also gives the body a boost because it is anti-inflammatory and a strong antioxidant. For this reason, many athletes use turmeric as a powerful restorative agent for muscle recovery.

Turmeric is great in curries, soups, eggs, smoothies, teas and can even be added to rice. It has so many uses, you’ll find it hard to exhaust them all.

If you want a little turmeric magic in your diet, try this Fragrant Cape Malay Lamb Curry recipe. Or, on a cold day this Turmeric, Lentil and Spinach Soup will delight the tastebuds and eyes with its rich yellow hues. This soup pairs perfectly with wholegrain, low GI bread. Spicy and healthy too!

Better Blood Pressure Garlic

Garlic can do so much more for you than just flavour your food. This bulbous vegetable benefits your health in numerous ways. For centuries, garlic has played various medicinal roles from combating colds and flu to lowering cholesterol.

New studies have recently suggested that garlic is an effective blood pressure regulator. Due to it being an anti-inflammatory agent, it allows better blood circulation through the body.

For a garlicky feast that will invigorate all your senses try this recipe: Asian-Style Lamb Shanks with Garlic and Herb Mash. The delectable flavour of the lamb and the intense taste of the garlic is a match made in heaven.

Healthy Heart Cinnamon

The taste and smell of cinnamon is so rich and distinctive that it immediately conjures up thoughts of apple pie and syrupy pancakes. But did you know that cinnamon is a powerful and healthy spice?

Recent studies have shown the amazing health benefits of cinnamon. Together with it being chock-full of anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, cinnamon may also improve some key risk factors for heart disease, like cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. To get in on the cinnamon action try this recipe: Pumpkin, Chickpea and Feta Phyllo Pie, for a desirable vegetarian dish filled with spices to benefit your health.

Antibacterial Nutmeg

Nutmeg might bring to mind hot drinks like chai tea but did you know that studies have shown that some of the benefits of nutmeg include incredible anti-bacterial properties that work against harmful bacteria?

For a proudly South African take on this Indonesian delight, try this delectable Boerewors Meatball Stew with Butternut Isijingi. Incorporating coriander and cloves in a saucy tomato broth, this is a healthy spice recipe to print and keep for future occasions.

There you have it! Healthy spices to boost your wellbeing and fit in with your lifestyle. Who said healthy recipes have to be bland? With these five spices you can give your body an appetising and nutritious boost.