One of the most frustrating things about dieting is that everything you eat tastes so bland. When you’re used to frying food, and using butter, sugar and salt to add flavor, having to switch to baking and low fat alternatives can make every meal feel boring and tasteless. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Even on a diet food can be, and should be, flavorful and exciting! Instead of relying heavily on fats and salts, try adding extra spice to your meals. Most dinners can be improved with a little added garlic and onions. When making pasta, meats, eggs, soups or casseroles, try adding dill, rosemary, basil, oregano or basil. These herbs are easy to find at your local super market, and almost as easy to grow in your garden. They will add a complex and delicious flavor to almost any dish, and can be used in combination with each other. When it comes to spices, we can definitely take a leaf from the book of other cultures. Mexican food, for example, relies heavily on the use of cumin and hot sauce. Use these low fat alternatives instead of frying burritos or tacos. Indian cuisine features a myriad of spices including turmeric and coriander. Curries can be a spicy, and healthy, treat. While not exactly a spice, balsamic vinegar can be a great way to enliven salads or steamed vegetables. Try it on greens such as kale, collard greens or broccoli. Balsamic vinegar is also an excellent substitute to butter when you’re looking for a dipping sauce for artichokes. For sweet substitutes, add ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg and go easy on the sugar. These spices make a great addition to breakfasts like oatmeal or pancakes and desserts like cakes, pies and cookies. Get creative! See what kind of culinary magic you can work with your spice rack. Just because you’re losing the fat, doesn’t mean that you have to lose the taste.