15 Ingredients that add flavor to bland healthy foods

Add a small handful of raisins, dried blueberries, dried apricots, dried cranberries or even dried prunes (chopped if desired) to oatmeal and other cereals.

Add nuts or seeds to salads in place of croutons. You can also add nuts and seeds to oatmeal, granola, yogurt, meat rubs (they usually have to be ground first) and even roasted veggies.

Use plain, nonfat yogurt in place of sour cream or mix it with blue cheese and olive-oil mayo to create a yummy sandwich topper.

Natural popcorn isn’t as fattening as the stuff you get at the movies. It’s a great snack on its own, and you can also use it to make a crispy crust for chicken or seafood.

Skip the mayo altogether and add avocado to your sandwiches and burgers. Red meat’s inflammatory effects can be reduced using this creamy superfood. Or use it as a topper for any lean protein, including fish (like halibut) and grilled chicken. You can also add it to salads instead of dressing.

We don’t recommend eating a bar a day because of the calories, but a bit of dark chocolate is actually good for you. It can help lower blood pressure. Drizzle it over yogurt cheesecake or fruits like strawberries, mandarin orange slices or bits of banana to add a sweet kick to healthier dessert options.

Add just a squirt of fresh-squeezed lemon, lime or orange to grains (rice, quinoa etc.) to brighten the flavor. Citrus is also delish on grilled seafood, chicken and even cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and greens.

Vinegars add the often-welcome tang of acidity to your foods. Use red-wine vinegar on salads or cook down balsamic vinegar mixed with drippings, broth or stock for a tasty topper over a cut of lean beef.

This is still sugar, so use it sparingly. But unlike refined sugar, maple syrup has trace nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and more. Use it to sweeten oatmeal or sweet potatoes.

Salsa is packed with sodium, but it also prevents you from needing (as much) salt. You can put it on everything from baked potatoes to salads in place of fattier add-ons like butter, sour cream, salad dressing and cheese.

If you find your go-to health foods are bland, try some herbs or spices to add lots of flavor with very few calories. Sprinkle hot or cold cereal with cinnamon, nutmeg or clove. Or top lean protein or steamed veggies with a bit of salt-free seasoning and/or fresh herbs like rosemary, sage or parsley.

Mustard is low-cal and adds a punch of flavor to a variety of dishes. You can mix it with Greek yogurt and seasonings to make a tangy dressing for your salad or a dip, use it in place of egg wash to zest-ify baked breaded chicken or add some extra flavor to low-fat Greek yogurt deviled eggs.

Many hard cheeses, like Parmesan and Asiago, are richer in flavor than their softer counterparts, meaning you can use less. Grate a little over veggies, whole-wheat pizzas or lean meats.

Feta is a soft cheese, but it’s packed with creamy saltiness. You can use this delicious add-on in low quantities to accent cheeseless pizza, low-fat pasta salads or even (gasp!) watermelon.

We’re not suggesting you top your morning cereal with strawberry or chocolate milk, but soy, almond and rice milks come in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and even seasonal favorites like eggnog and pumpkin spice. These flavored drinks are easy to find in non-genetically modified brands, meaning no bovine growth hormone, whereas regular milk (cow, nut, soy or otherwise) is not.