Hot sauce

Hot sauce gets a lot of play in my house. I am a self-declared “chili head” and my husband, son, and youngest daughter have followed my lead. This fiery condiment can help liven up bland “diet food” for next to no calories, but that’s not the only reason to get hot for hot sauce. Here’s some great news for my fellow spice lovers: Research shows that including hot peppers at meals suppresses your appetite and slightly revs up your metabolism. Capsaicin, the ingredient that gives peppers their heat, seems to trigger certain fat cells (what researchers call brown fat cells) to burn the types of fat cells that store energy (referred to as white fat cells), according to research from the University of Miami. So kick up the heat anywhere you can — sprinkle your favorite brand on eggs, mix it into hummus, or use it to add pizzazz to chicken or turkey salad. I like to add a few dashes to soups and stews too. But remember, when adding hot sauce to your recipes, start slow and add as you go!