Health Tip: Flavor Food Without the Fat

(HealthDay News) -- You don't need to add fat to get plenty of flavor from your favorite dishes.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these suggestions to spice up your food without piling on the calories:

• Use techniques that employ high heat for more intense flavor, such as broiling, grilling or pan-searing.

• Use fresh herbs and seasonings, such as cumin, cilantro, basil, caraway, chives, rosemary, ginger or garlic.

• Add a sprinkle of a sharp cheese to your favorite vegetable, rice or pasta.

• Add dried ingredients, such as sundried tomatoes, dried plums, cranberries, figs, apricots or red pepper flakes.

• Use brightly colored peppers to add flavor, and a splash of hot sauce or jalapenos.

• Add a squirt of citrus juice or grated peel from lemons, limes or oranges.