Simple Steps Toward a Healthy Lifestyle( Antioxidant-Rich Spices and Herbs Can...),Health

Antioxidant-Rich Spices and Herbs Can Enhance Your Daily Routine

HUNT VALLEY, Md., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Warmer weather is here, motivating many people to eat more healthfully and exercise to get in shape. A dramatic diet overhaul and change in routine can seem overwhelming. That's why the "small changes" approach is gaining popularity.

Shifting the focus to small, achievable steps is a concept that's currently being championed by a task force of the American Society for Nutrition, Institute of Food Technologists and the International Food Information Council. The group says small changes are more feasible to achieve and sustain - and they could add up to make an even greater impact.

"Making simple lifestyle changes to boost health is easier than people think," says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of The Superfoods Rx Diet. "For example, taking a four minute walk or adding 300 steps each day adds up to an extra mile by the end of the week."

One of Bazilian's simplest - and most surprising - strategies to boost health and wellness is to add antioxidant-rich spices and herbs - like oregano, cinnamon and ginger - to meals, snacks and beverages. Instead of sacrificing taste when reducing some of those "off-limit" ingredients in the name of health, adding spices and herbs to foods enhances not only nutrition value, but also flavor.

Antioxidant Benefits Could Be Just a Sprinkle Away

While colorful fruits such as blueberries and pomegranates and dark leafy veggies like spinach and kale are commonly known as "super foods" with powerful antioxidants, certain spices and herbs are actually rich in antioxidants too(1).

"People might be surprised to learn that one-half teaspoon of ground cinnamon has as many antioxidants as two-thirds cup of almonds, and just one-half teaspoon of oregano has as many antioxidants as three cups of fre
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