It’s true that the holidays have earned a bad reputation for unhealthy eating. However, used appropriately, the seasonings and spices you turn to for flavoring your dishes have some incredible health benefits - especially when added to healthier, whole food dishes. Here are a few of my favorites.

Cinnamon

The smell of it instantly conjures up images of the holidays with snowy hills and cozy times by the fireplace. It’s warm and spicy and is terrific in your cookies and other holiday treats. In ancient times, it was used to help with indigestion, and it’s been shown to have incredible anti-inflammatory effects.

Rosemary

The heavenly scent and sublime flavor of rosemary is a lovely addition to any dish. Rosemary is excellent for helping quell indigestion, as well. It also has antioxidants, which helps chase away those meddlesome free radicals.

Peppermint

Ah, is there anything more refreshing than peppermint in your hot cocoa? It too is rich in antioxidants, making it another winning herb to keep on hand.

Ginger

In Asian cultures, ginger was used in the creation of just about every single dish. It can relieve nausea and boost the appetite. During the holidays, powdered ginger is used in soups, cookies, cakes, and salad dressings, too.

Nutmeg

Warming and soothing like cinnamon, nutmeg is added to tons of savory dishes as well as your beloved pumpkin pie. It has a calming property to it which might explain why we feel so relaxed after eating foods that are seasoned with nutmeg.

Cloves

Earthy, warm, and sweet, cloves impart an interesting flavor to everything from savory dishes to sweets. They have lots of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.