If you’re starting the New Year with a slimmer figure in mind, perhaps you’ve heard eating spicy foods can help boost your metabolism.
Is this true? Some surprising evidence shows just how spice can help you - in a number of ways. Registered dietician and nutritionist Patricia Bridget Lane (1) shares that spicy foods can help:
- Boost metabolism: Chili peppers contain an active constituent called capsaicin. Some studies have shown dietary supplements of this have helped lower metabolic disorders (4).
- Signals Fullness: The same constituent capsaicin seems to play a role in your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that registers hunger and fullness. Foods high in capsaicin can help you eat less by telling you you’re fuller, sooner (5).
So if you’re looking for a spicy Indian cuisine to add to your go-to meal collection, we’ve got a treat for you: Spicy Chickpea Curry!
Benefits of curry: Curry is not one but a combination of spices such as chili pepper, fennel seeds, mustard, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and fenugreek. These offer a host of health benefits, namely their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (2).
Many studies support the use of herbs in areas such as:
- Heart health
- Feelings of fullness
- Balancing blood sugars
- Antifungal and antibacterial
- Digestive health
- Anticancer effects
It’s a great blend of herbs that can make healthy eating easier and tastier.
The Recipe
Ready for a delicious vegetarian dish that’ll both make your mouth water and help you reach your goals?
Inspired by Mike over at Chili Pepper Madness (3), here’s a great recipe that is not only vegetarian, but it’s low carb and loaded with flavor!
What You’ll Need
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 serrano, habanero or ghost pepper, finely chopped (for extra heat, optional)
- 1 Tbsp curry powder (can use more if desired)
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp ginger, freshly grated
- 2 capsules of KaraMD Turmeric CCM or KaraMD Comfort Guard X24, opened (for added antioxidant benefits)
- 14 ounces coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp curry paste
- 16 ounces prepared chickpeas (canned works just fine)
- Salt and pepper to taste
What You’ll Do
- Heat a large pan or wok to medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of either olive or coconut oil.
- Add the onion and peppers. Cook them down for about 5 minutes, until onion and peppers are soft.
- Add in ginger, garlic and green onions. Cook for another minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir occasionally.
- Next, add the curry powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Give it a good stir.
- Stir in the curry paste, cooking for another minute.
- Add in your coconut milk and blend everything together. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors to develop. The curry sauce should also thicken up a bit.
- Stir in the chickpeas and continue simmering for 5 minutes.
- Serve over prepared white rice if desired. You can also squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the top.
Served best over cooked rice. For garnish options, you can add freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, and spicy red pepper chili flakes on top.
Alternatives
Peppers: If you’re not keen on crying through your dining experience, you can keep hotter peppers like ghost peppers or habanero peppers out. You can still get a lot of this recipe by using milder options like jalapeños or bell peppers.
Cooking oil: You can swap out the olive oil with coconut oil.
In Summary
Weight loss journeys involve many different methods: exercise regimens, meal planning, and sometimes supplements.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. If you enjoy spicy meals, this chickpea curry dish may quickly become a favorite. Not only is curry exotic, this herbal combination is packed with lots of nutrients that can greatly benefit your body.
Give this recipe a try and let us know how you like it!
References & Disclaimer
(1) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-spicy-food-good-for-you/
(2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/curry-benefits#3.-May-have-anticancer-effects
(3) https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/chickpea-curry/
(4) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29772784/
(5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24917046/
✝✝This noted statement is based on independent research and is not necessarily the opinion of the author