Increasing your intake of nutrients might also improve the flavor of your meals. Fear of the unknown is the usual reason most people are afraid to add spices to their creations. Truth be told, adding Herbs and Spices to your fruits and veggies adds excitement to your meals as well as a healthier you. And isn’t that what we all want - a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle.

A perfect example is the simple dish of sliced tomatoes. Take the dish a step further and sprinkle in a few additional herbs for added health. Sprinkle some Italian parsley and garlic over the tomato before you drizzle it with olive oil and you’ll not only have a delicious side dish, you’ll have one that packs an extra nutritional punch.

Garlic is the immune system defender, helping to fight off disease. Folk medicine has always recommended a clove of garlic to fight off a cold and there is scientific proof it has validity. While investigating the properties of garlic, researchers found it has antiviral, antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Garlic has also been widely stud died in the fight against cancer. Because of the phytonutrients in garlic, it helps block the formation of cancer cells.

Garlic has cholesterol-lowering properties and lowers the LDL, the bad cholesterol, while it raises the HDL, the good cholesterol. The subjects of a study showed a 9 percent drop in cholesterol levels when they ate two cloves of garlic a day. Garlic thins the blood helping control hypertension. Garlic really spices up your life. A study on the effects of garlic on impotence found the compounds in garlic are important in the production of nitric oxide synthase, necessary for obtaining an erection.

Adding the Italian parsley helps reduce the effects of garlic on your breath but, more importantly it adds tremendous nutritional value. Parsley contains vitamin A, K, C, folic acid, potassium and adds a little more fiber to your diet. It contains powerful antioxidants to fight off free radicals that cause everything from cancer to aging. Don’t tell Popeye but he could of used parsley instead of spinach. It has not just additional iron but also magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper.

Does the addition of herbs and spices fulfill your dietary needs? Absolutely not. Herbs and Spices added to your meal doesn’t raise the caloric intake it just add nutrient and a whole lot of flavor. Just a little change can make a big difference in your health when you do it at every meal.

A breakfast idea that increases your health while spicing up the start of your day is the addition of cinnamon to the breakfast fare. Adding cinnamon to your coffee filter with the coffee is a great way to start the day. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, add a little bit of sugar. Sprinkle cinnamon or Ginger on your cereal. It’s especially good on oatmeal.

Some of the benefits of cinnamon include iron, calcium and manganese. It also helps regulate blood sugar in diabetics. It attacks yeast infections, aids in various types of cancer, lowers cholesterol, preserves naturally, a great anti coagulant and helps to improve memory. Researchers at Copenhagen University gave patients a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey every morning for a month. After the first week the patients had considerable relief from arthritis. After the first month of the study, most could walk without pain. This combination makes a great topping for toast.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up good tasting food. On the contrary, adding additional Herbs and Spices to your food makes them even healthier. Look for ways to increase the nutritional content while also making the food rival with the dishes found in gourmet restaurants. Your family will love you for it and they will never suspect they’re eating healthier.