Alternative flavorings when hot spices are encouraging hot flashes

Hot flashes are something that all people associate with the unavoidable phase of a woman’s life known as menopause. Unfortunately, this correlation is so familiar because it is the most common symptom. In fact, half of perimenopausal women and 75 to 80% of post-menopausal women suffer with these uncomfortable moments of intense heat, causing them to flush and sweat profusely. Regrettably, they can experience hot flashes for anywhere between six months and 15 years, although each woman’s episodes will vary in severity and frequency.

Treating hot flashes can be relatively simple but does require a great deal of discipline and will-power because the first step to take is making lifestyle changes which is difficult to do. One aspect of this requires you to make changes to your diet and avoid foods that might trigger an episode. Unfortunately, this means that the combination of hot flashes and hot spicy foods are off the cards. But, it doesn’t mean your food has to be bland and boring. Find alternative ways to flavor and enhance your food.

How to flavor food without using the hot spices

If you are suffering with hot flashes then avoid eating spicy food because it only encourages the onset of an episode. Spicy tastes, for some, is one of the most pleasurable and satisfying ways to eat food, but making the sacrifice, or at least limiting your consumption of spice, will be worth it. Read on to find out what other spices can make your food just as flavorsome. Give your taste buds a new experience!

Sweet basil

This is one of the most popular culinary herbs and comes in leaf form. It is often used in Italian cooking, but should only be added to food at the very last moment, otherwise the taste is lost. It has a sweet spiciness taste to it but certainly doesn’t make food spicy. Add sweet basil to chicken, fish and pasta dishes.

Dill

Dill can be bought in seed, fresh or dried form and is considered a cooling herb. It has a simple, fresh taste and should be added to food just before it is served. The fresh version is the tastiest way of eating dill and adds the most flavors. Add dill to soups, omelets, seafood, potatoes and rice dishes.

Lemon

This citrus food can add wonderful flavor to chicken and fish dishes. You can add dried lemon or lemon peel to dishes, or squeeze fresh lemon on before eating.

Chives

A brilliant herb that can be used as an alternative to strong tasting onions. It provides good flavor and can be added to spreads, soups, salads, sauces and baked potatoes.

Garlic

Often a preferred choice for flavoring in Oriental cuisine. It provides a strong taste without overheating the body. It provides the most flavor when it is fresh but garlic powder and garlic salt can also be used. Add to pasta, rice, chicken, seafood, egg, stews… the list is endless. You can add garlic to almost anything.

Salt

Salt should be used in strict moderation because too much of it can cause further hormonal imbalance, but can add flavor so it can be used as an alternative to spice if need be. Add just a pinch to your food, because that is enough to ensure the food isn’t bland.

Sage

Sage is a member of the mint family and is available in leaf and ground form. It is regularly used to add flavor to stuffing, fish dishes, sauces and salads and can enhance almost all meats. Sage is also said to have many other health benefits so using this in your food could help you in more ways than one.

More information

Avoiding spicy food is just one lifestyle change you can make to reduce the severity and frequency of your hot flashes. To learn about other lifestyle changes to treat hot flashes, follow this link.

To learn more about Hot Flashes