Bring on the Spice for National Chili Month!

It’s true what they say, spices make everything nice. February 24th is National Chili Day! Chili is the ultimate hearty dish to enjoy all winter long. Full of flavor with a little heat, chili is the perfect warm meal to enjoy for the entire family.

Did you know 20% of American families have their own chili recipe? -that’s a lot of chilies! What’s great about chili is that you can customize it any way you like. More ingredients mean more flavor plus more nutritious foods! Chili makes the perfect vehicle for protein, fiber, iron, and vitamin C.

All About the Spice

Chili is all about the spice and the heat. The chili peppers that are traditionally used in chili are what give the dish all its heat. In addition to the heat chilis provide, they also provide a ton of nutrients. Check out some of the spices and their many nutritional benefits below:

Cumin- One teaspoon of cumin provides 17.5% of the recommended amount of iron for U.S. adults. Cumin is perfect for chili if you want to add a little less heat and still have flavor. In addition, cumin has been shown to work as a powerful digestive aid.

Chili Powder- Chili powder isn’t just spicy; it’s loaded with nutrients. Chili powder contains Vitamin C which works as a powerful antioxidant helping the body to get rid of harmful free radicals. It is packed with fiber which helps aid in digestion. And chili powder provides a hearty amount of Vitamin A to aid in vision health.

Red & Green Peppers- A great addition to any bowl of chili are some fresh chopped peppers. Red and green peppers are also called sweet peppers, but they do add in a little heat. Both peppers are packed with Vitamins A, C, and fiber, and are abundant in antioxidants. Red peppers are rich in the antioxidant compound capsanthin, which gives them their red color, and green peppers are rich in Lutein.

Building the Perfect Bowl

Chili can be made any way you like! However, each bowl of chili has a few basic ingredients making it the perfect hearty meal. Check out some of the healthy ingredients you can incorporate into your next bowl of chili.

Grains- Make your bowl of chili even heartier by adding in some whole grains as a base. Whole grains make a great addition to chili by providing fiber and providing heart-healthy benefits. Some whole grain options include brown rice, lentils, or quinoa.

Protein- A common chili ingredient happens to be beef. However, there are TONS of lean protein options to add to your next bowl of chili. Some options include ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based protein option such as tofu.

Legumes- What is a bowl of chili without some beans? Beans or legumes provide a ton of fiber and protein to your dish. Some great options include kidney beans, black beans, or lima beans.

Veggies- Chili is a great place to add in some veggies. In addition to tomatoes, when making your next bowl of chili try adding in some additional vegetables such as carrots, peas, and chopped red or green peppers.

Spices- Can’t forget about the spices! Some great spice options for your next chili dish can include cumin, black pepper, chili powder, or chili flakes.

The chili creations are endless! Stay cozy for the rest of the season with the perfect hearty dish that is sure to fill you up.

Your Turn to Take Action: What ingredients will you use in your next chili dish? Let me know in the comment section below!