Skip to content (Press enter)
logo-medifast-blog

Medifast Weight Loss Blog | Tips, Tools, Stories & Support for Losing Weight

From delicious recipes to inspiring stories and more, our weight loss blog offers tips, tools, stories & support to help you achieve your weight loss goals!

Primary
Close

Welcome to the Medifast Blog!

Here, you’ll find interesting and relevant content that helps you on your weight-loss and maintenance journey and highlights you, the reader, on our path to regaining health. So, sit back, grab a bag of Medifast Bites, and enjoy! Visit Medifast to learn more about our delicious products, innovative program,and multiple support options!

Visit Medifast

  • Facebookicon-facebook
  • Twittersocial-twitter
  • Pinterestsocial-pinterest
  • Youtubesocial-youtube
  • Google Plussocial-google-plus
  • Fitness
  • Health
  • Maintenance Support
  • Recipes
  • Success Stories
  • Weight-Loss Tips
Sub Sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Submit Your Story!
  • Contact
  • Powered By Medifastpowered-by-medifast
Visit Medifast
« Back to Posts Next Post » « Prev Post

How to Spice Up Your Lean and Greens!

February 23, 2016 by Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN |

How to Spice Up Your Lean and Greens!

Cooking with Herbs & Spices 

Herbs and spices can transform a bland dish into something bold, zesty, sweet, savory, spicy—you name it! Whether it’s supporting your digestive system, providing antioxidant benefit, or promoting cardiovascular health, herbs and spices offer nutritional benefit while reducing the need for salt and other less healthful seasonings. So don’t be shy; infuse your lean and green meal with herbs and spices that impart sweet aromas, bold flavors, and good nutrition.

How Much To Add

The amount to add varies with each type of spice or herb, type of recipe, and personal preference. If you’re creating your own recipe, start by adding only one or two herbs or spices. If you don’t know how much to add, look at tested recipes to get an idea of how much to use or begin with ¼ teaspoon of dried or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs and spices. Taste if possible, and adjust seasonings as needed.

When to Add Herbs & Spices

The type of herb or spice and the type of food dictates when the herb or spice should be added. As a general rule of thumb add fresh herbs near the end of the cooking time since prolonged heating can cause the flavor and aroma to become dull. For uncooked foods, such as raw meat, add spices and herbs several hours in advance to allow the flavors to marinate. Add ground spices to food about 15 minutes, and whole spices at least one hour, before the end of the cooking time.

Other Tips

  • Fresh versus Dried Conversion: If you’re recipe calls for fresh herbs and you want to use dried or vice versa, here is a guideline to follow: 1 tablespoon finely cut fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried leafy herbs or ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground dried herbs
  • Herbs and ground spices keep for about one year. Whole spices can last up to two years.
  • Grow your own herbs, and freeze extras.
  • Purchase small amounts of herbs and spices you don’t use often. See if there is a local grocery store or farm market stand that allows you to purchase only what you need.
  • To save money, look for herbs and spices in the international aisle of your grocery store.

Flavor Combinations for lean and green meals

Beef: basil, bay leaf, chili powder, cilantro, curry powder, garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme

Cheese: basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chili powder, chives, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, horseradish, lemon zest, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon, thyme

Chicken: allspice, basil, cinnamon, curry powder, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mustard, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme

Eggs: basil, chervil, chili powder, curry powder, chives, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon zest, marjoram, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, tarragon, thyme

Fish: anise, basil, bay leaf, cayenne, celery seed, chives, curry powder, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemon zest, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, saffron, sage, tarragon, thyme

Salads: basil, caraway, chives, dill, garlic, lemon zest, lovage, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme

Soups: basil, bay leaf, chervil, chili powder, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme

Vegetables: basil, celery seed, cinnamon, chili powder, cloves, cumin, curry powder, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, gumbo file, lemongrass, marjoram, nutmeg, onion powder, oregano, parsley, paprika, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme

Health, Maintenance Support, Recipes Healthy Spices, healthy tips, How to Spice Up lean and greens, lean and green tips, Lean and Greens, Medifast, Recipe Tips, Spices

« Back to Posts Next Post » « Prev Post
Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN

author Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN

Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN, is a corporate dietitian at Medifast. She has received her Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and is also a Certified Kickboxing Instructor. She is devoted to promoting optimal health... Read More

View Full Profile
Primary
  • Powered By Medifastdark-powered-by-medifast

FIND MEDIFAST ON

  • Facebookicon-facebook
  • Twittersocial-twitter
  • Pinterestsocial-pinterest
  • Youtubesocial-youtube
  • Google Plussocial-google-plus

Medifast recommends you consult with a physician before starting a weight-loss program. Medifast is the brand recommended by more than 20,000 doctors since its founding.