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When researching and preparing healthy meals to help with weight loss it can be easy to get lost in the basics of the dish, making sure you have enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats to keep you full and satisfied. And while there is merit to this way of thinking, you could be missing out on even further health benefits by forgetting to consider which seasonings to add to each meal. Spices have the capability to give a boost to your health and provide your body with valuable nutrients, but according to nutritionists, there is one group of herbs that is particularly useful for maintaining weight loss.
For weight loss and other health concerns, antifungal herbs are the variety you should be incorporating into meals and teas for visible weight loss results. Fortunately, with the wide range there is to choose from, you likely already have some antifungals in your daily diet. Nutritionist Lisa Richards explains, “When it comes to natural antifungals, there are lots of different options to choose from. Popular antifungal supplements include caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract, and oregano oil.”
Antifungal is a broad term which encompasses a wide array of seasonings that can be easily added to your everyday cooking. Richards has some other advice for how to integrate this weight loss secret into your eating plan, “Coconut oil is a potent source of caprylic acid, and it also makes an excellent oil for cooking. Garlic is another food with some potent antifungal properties and has been shown to improve metabolism and weight loss efforts.” Simple adjustments to your meal prep, such as using coconut oil instead of your usual oil can give you an extra dose of antifungals and help keep weight off and combat other gut issues.
Seeing as antifungal is an umbrella term, there are a multitude of spices that fall under this category--some of which you probably already cook with! According to the Journal of Plant Protection Research, cinnamon, garlic, thyme, and carnation are all powerful antifungal spices which can be used to fight disease, sustain weight loss and increase your overall health. These seasonings work within your body to treat candida overgrowth, in turn helping to curb unhealthy cravings and maintain a calorie deficit.
Integrating antifungals like garlic and coconut oil into your diet is an easy way to make tiny adjustments that will have a major impact on your health. While it’s still important to focus on the quality of the meals you’re putting together, spices and seasonings are a valuable addition to your weight loss journey that can help to heal your gut and enhance your overall weight loss success. As Richards puts it, “Those who use herbs and spices in their diet regularly have a greater chance of weight loss and staying at a healthy weight.”