Nutrition and healthy eating

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Guide to herbs

Herbs are the fragrant leaves and stems of plants. Whether dry or fresh, herbs can be a healthy option for enhancing the flavor of a wide variety of foods. Herbs can also help you reduce salt and fat in your recipes. Most herbs have subtle flavor, while some have strong flavor. Don't let that stop you from experimenting — just use herbs sparingly at first so that you don't accidentally overpower a dish. Before using fresh herbs, wash them and pat dry. You can use stems that are soft and pliable — they often pack a lot of flavor and aroma. If an herb has a woody stem, strip off the leaves and discard the stem. Here's a look at six common herbs and suggestions for how to use them.

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