Breakfast Spices

Breakfast spices add texture and flavor to many favorite breakfast dishes, such as pancakes and classic scrambled eggs. Many spices contain anti-inflammatory properties and nutrients, such as vitamin C and A. These health-enhancing benefits make your morning meal even more nutrient-dense.

Cinammon

• Cinnamon may help prevent type 2 diabetes.

  Cinnamon is a spice that adds a hint of tang and sweetness to pancakes. Cinnamon works best with crepes or pancakes rather than eggs, but some people like to mix ground cinnamon with turkey sausage patties. Try using this spice in different ways to find out what your preferences are. The University of California says that cinnamon is more than a spice because this food may help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Black Pepper

• Buy a grinder to grind up black pepper from hulls into smaller particles.

  Black pepper is a spice that adds flavor to eggs or turkey sausage. You can find raw black pepper at most health food stores. Black pepper contains a long list of vitamins such as vitamin A, E and C along with minerals such as iron, potassium and magnesium.

Vanilla

• Buy raw vanilla beans at your local health food store.

  Vanilla is another spice that adds a hint of sweetness to pancakes or other morning dishes. Buy ground vanilla beans or grind up your beans in your own food processor or spice grinder. Vanilla extract is not always made from vanilla beans. Some extracts are made from the sap of trees. You can get the same vanilla taste from an extract, but you won't benefit nutritionally because raw vanilla beans are high in nutrients such as vitamin D and B.

Garlic

• Add garlic to your eggs to boost immunity.

  Garlic is a spice that is often used with dinner dishes, but this spice is also a treat for breakfast as well. It doesn't work well for all types of breakfast foods, but it can spice up boring scrambled eggs or add more flavor to egg and turkey sausage breakfast burritos. Garlic also makes your breakfast meals more healthful since garlic is high in properties that help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that garlic may decrease the progression of cardiovascular disease in addition to lowering blood pressure and improving immune function.