Digital Ddesk: A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has found that replacing saturated fat and salt with herbs and spices is both tasty and healthy.
The study was conducted by researchers at Penn State University. They modified 10 popular American foods, including meatloaf, chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, and brownies, to reduce the saturated fat, salt, and added sugar content by up to 25%. They also added herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of the foods.
The researchers then conducted a taste test with over 100 participants. They found that the participants liked the healthier, flavor-enhanced versions of the foods just as much as the original versions. In fact, some of the participants even liked the healthier versions better.
The researchers also found that the healthier versions of the foods were significantly lower in saturated fat, salt, and added sugar than the original versions. For example, the healthier version of the meatloaf was 20% lower in saturated fat and 25% lower in salt than the original version.
The study’s findings suggest that replacing saturated fat and salt with herbs and spices is a simple and effective way to make our favorite foods healthier and tastier. This is important because consuming too much saturated fat and salt can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.
Here are some tips for replacing saturated fat and salt with herbs and spices in your cooking:
- Use herbs and spices to flavor your food instead of butter, oil, or salt.
- Add herbs and spices to soups, stews, sauces, and marinades.
- Use herbs and spices to flavor grilled, roasted, and baked meats and vegetables.
- Experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to create your own unique flavors.
By following these tips, you can make your food healthier and tastier without sacrificing flavor.