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

PS: Don't want to miss any posts on Whole Foods Living? Sign up for email updates in the left margin of this page. Or follow me, Angela Tague, on Twitter, Facebook or Google+! I also play around on Pinterest and StumbleUpon.

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25 comments:

  1. Francene StanleyApril 3, 2012 at 5:31 AM

    I LOVE cinnamon. I did know about the health benefits but thank you for sharing new ways to use the bark.

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 9:05 AM

      You're welcome! Since cinnamon is inexpensive and not fatty like other condiments, I figure we should use it!

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  2. Mr. OpinionApril 3, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    My mom used to make "arroz con leche", "rice with milk." She would put a couple of cinnamon sticks in and it would be fantastic.

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 9:05 AM

      That sounds amazing! Now I'm craving rice pudding, which sounds similar to your mother's recipe! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Jolie du PreApril 3, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    Good suggestions. I don't use cinnamon often, except on the rare occasion I have cinnamon toast.

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 9:04 AM

      Yum! I used to love sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on toast before school as a kid. Maybe I'll try a mix of stevia and cinnamon!

      Delete
  4. Marie AnneApril 3, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    Must have cinnamon on oatmeal and on anything made with apples. Oh yes, French Toast with cinnamon and vanilla .. mmm mm.

    Stopping by from the A-Z Challenge, blogging at Ross County Roundup and Write, Wrong or Indifferent.

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  5. Jaipi SixbearApril 3, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Yup, most herbs and spices are high in antioxidants.

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  6. JoyApril 3, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    I use it in my made-from-scratch Chai Tea. I wrote about it for today's "C" word.

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:07 PM

      I just stopped by your blog! What a fun post about chai! I have never had it, but it sounds like a delicious concoction, like my herbal tea experiments! (I am allergic to caffeine, so no tea for me.)~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

      Delete
  7. Michelle MachApril 3, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    I love cinnamon in hot chocolate (or anything chocolate)!

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:08 PM

      I have never tried mixing cinnamon and chocolate, but this sounds wonderful!! Thanks for the idea! :)

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  8. Jennifer @ Solo Travel GirlApril 3, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    My favorite spice! The world needs a little more cinnamon :)

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  9. 4 LifeApril 3, 2012 at 6:02 PM

    LOVE to sprinkle Ceylon Cinnamon onto pancakes, before adding drizzle of butter pecan syrup! Oh my!

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:13 PM

      Butter pecan syrup? That sounds fabulous! Afterall, I can't eat healthy *all* the time! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. Laurie Peel, CRA-RPApril 3, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    I LOVE cinnamon too. I dash it on the top of my cup of coffee. I know coffee's not healthy but at least I drink de-caf (swiss water process). Hey, at least I try..... :)

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:16 PM

      We can't be healthy all the time! Splurges are a must. For you it's coffee. For me it's chocolate! lol! Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  11. AnonymousApril 3, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    I like to put a cinnamon stick in my cup of hot tea or hot cocoa as a stirrer. Great post.

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:18 PM

      I will have to try using a cinnamon stick as a stir stick next time I brew some herbal tea. That sounds great! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  12. Deborah DeraApril 3, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I love adding cinnamon to coffee and we cook with it frequently. We recently met with a dietitian who was incredibly knowledgeable about herbs and what some doctors would consider "alternative." The truth is that doctors just don't necessarily know enough about nutrition. Glad we saw an expert! :)

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    1. Whole Foods LivingApril 3, 2012 at 11:20 PM

      I agree! Sometimes I wish my local clinic had a dietician on staff. Finding a good nutritionist or dietician is on my extended to do list! (I prefer to remedy health problems with food and exercise.) Thanks for stopping by! ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

      Delete

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