Is Cinnamon a Health Food?

Cinnamon Sticks. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Who knew tree bark could be both delicious and healthy? Today we're talking about cinnamon for the A to Z Blog Challenge! Although medical opinions vary regarding the health benefits and effectiveness of cinnamon, the tree-based spice is known for:

• reducing inflammation
• killing bacteria
• lowering blood-sugar levels
• adding antioxidants to your diet

~Learn more about cinnamon on WebMD.~

So, why not add cinnamon to your daily diet? Here are five easy ways:

1. Sprinkle cinnamon on cereal. It works best on hot oatmeal, plain puffed rice cereal or shredded wheat squares.
2. Mix cinnamon into your favorite baked goods recipe. Don't cinnamon-sugar cookies or apple-cinnamon bread sound good right about now?
3. Add a dash of cinnamon, a handful of dried raisins or cranberries, and a sprinkle of stevia to leftover jasmine rice. You now have an instant no-fat rice pudding-type dessert.
4. Stir cinnamon into pancake batter or sprinkle it over french toast in lieu of high-calorie syrup.
5. And, my final and favorite tip: Place fresh cinnamon sticks in a pot of simmering chili. My husband does this to add a sweet and spicy flavor to his chili. Before serving, remove the cinnamon sticks.

How do you like to use cinnamon? Please share in the comments section!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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