10 Spices for Weight Loss

Spices do more than just add flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Many spices improve your health and help you manage your weight. Weight loss spices rev your metabolism and turn an average dish into something special. If you are tired of the usual weight loss ideas or you feel as if you are exercising and eating right, but still not getting the results you want, spices might do the trick.

You can add spice to your food any time of the year, but fall is a great time to warm up a dish with your favorite spice. Some fall spices to lose weight pair especially well with favorite fall foods.

Want to improve the flavor of your favorite foods and drop excess pounds?
Lose weight with these fall spices!

1. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a savory spice, but it is used in many sweet dishes. Add a dash to a baked sweet potato or spice up your pumpkin mash this brown powder. Spinach Butternut Squash Lasagna with a hint of nutmeg is just 261 calories.

2. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin, which is believed to fight body fat by decreasing calorie intake and shrinking fat tissue. It provides a powerful kick to soups, Mexican dishes, and curries. Try this recipe for Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef that is packed with flavor.

3. Cinnamon
This spice is likely the first that came to mind when you read “fall spices.” There is evidence it boosts the metabolism and it also helps regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon also lowers triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Enjoy the benefits of cinnamon combined with two other favorite fall foods, pumpkin and apples, in this Pumpkin Raisin Oatmeal Baked Apple recipe.

Looking for a way to organize and display your favorite spices? Try a wall-mountable spice rack.

4. Black Pepper
Black pepper contains a substance called piperine, which not only gives it its pungent flavor, but also blocks the formation of new fat cells. When combined with capsaicin and other substances, black pepper was also found to burn as many calories as taking a 20-minute walk. Check out Black Pepper and Walnut Crusted Chicken Breasts, which can be made in the slow cooker or oven.

5. Cloves
Cloves help to speed metabolism, which in turn burns more calories. Check out this recipes for Slow Cooker Apple Butter and burn some extra calories with four fat burning spices.

6. Mustard Seed
We’re talking more than just your standard yellow mustard. The mustard plant is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. Research shows the seeds boost metabolic rate by 25 percent, which can translate to burning just under 50 calories per hour. Skinny Ms. Seafood Seasoning is made with a mix of fat burning spices and tastes fantastic on seafood.

7. Turmeric
Turmeric is a common spice used in curry. It contains curcumin, which is considered to be anti-inflammatory. It is arguably the healthiest spice available. Try this recipe for Skinny Slow Cooker Beef Curry.

8. Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is known for soothing and relaxing the intestinal tract. There is also evidence ginger has thermogenic properties that help boost the metabolism and suppress the appetite. Check out this recipe for Ginger Infused Honey Chicken.

9. Cardamom
Cardamom is aromatic and spicy-sweet. Like ginger, it warms the body and boosts the metabolism. Slow Cooker Honey Bananas made with a touch of cardamon is the perfect after dinner dessert at only 109 calories per serving.

10. Cumin
Cumin is believed to help digestion and boost energy. It is a great addition to chili and Mexican dishes. Check out this recipe for Fiesta Chicken Soup made in the slow cooker.

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