Sponsored: Ginger it up! Flavor in 2017

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Ginger it up! Flavor in 2017

Still looking for coconut and sea salt flavored chocolate bars, popcorn, or beverages? You are SO last year…while those flavors are still around, it looks like this year’s flavor will be GINGER.

No, not ginger ale, I’m talking about ginger in teas, beverages, yogurt, snack bars, granola and more. You may have been exposed to ginger in Asian dishes like stir-fry or in desserts like gingerbread; but the use of ginger as a flavor has exploded out into new and different categories. Ginger has long been valued for anti-nausea and motion sickness properties (http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginger ), though it doesn’t always perform as well or better than over-the-counter or prescription remedies.

You can purchase ginger in a few forms. The knobby root is available in the produce section at Ingles Markets, use the tip of a spoon to peel away the brown skin and then slice into slivers to add to a stir fry dish or steep in hot water with lemon and add some honey to sweeten for a naturally caffeine-free brew. Powdered ginger can be found in the spice and herb section and this can be used for smoothies, baking or to add to rubs or seasonings for meat and seafood. Candied ginger is, well, candy and best enjoyed in moderation.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN