What is a nightstand spice and why might you avoid them?
Nightshade spices come from a group of plants that belong to the Solanaceae family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, and produce spices like paprika, cayenne, and chili powder. These spices are used in many cuisines around the world, and they are known for their unique flavor and heat.
However, some people may choose to avoid nightshade spices due to certain health conditions or sensitivities. Nightshade spices contain a chemical compound called solanine, which is known to trigger inflammation and aggravate certain conditions, such as arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and autoimmune disorders. Solanine is also associated with digestive issues like gas, bloating, and stomach pain in some people.
Additionally, some people may have an allergy or intolerance to nightshade spices, which can cause symptoms like skin rashes, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
Below, we’ll discuss nightshade spices to avoid using, along with some alternatives to still cook tasty food with some flavor. Then we’ll suggest some tasty nightshade-free spice blends and dishes to serve them in.
Nightshade Spices And Foods To Avoid
Spices that are members of the solanaceae family are the ones that you need to avoid. This includes but is not limited to the following. You’ll also see several popular foods listed too as they are also nightshades:
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper
- Chili powder
- Chili peppers
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Tomatillos
- Potatoes (not a spice, but commonly associated with nightshades)
- Eggplant
- Goji berries
- Pimentos
- Pepinos
- Tamarillos
- Curry
10 Spice Blends And Suggested Dishes To Avoid Nightshades
If you have a sensitivity to nightshade spices or simply want to change up your seasoning game, there are plenty of delicious spice blends you can use to add flavor to your meals. You will need to avoid common foods and spices like potatoes (not sweet potatoes, though), many peppers, paprika and tomatoes.
If you are concerned about nightshades, it’s best to check with your doctor or a qualified nutritionist first and enquire about what you should avoid.
It’s also important to note that some foods that sound like they might be nightshades, aren’t. Sweet potatoes, white pepper and black pepper are examples of foods that aren’t nightshades and can be used as substitutes.
Here are ten nightshade-free spice blends to spice up your meals:
1. Italian Spice Blend: This blend is perfect for seasoning meats, pasta dishes, and roasted vegetables. To make the blend, mix together dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. Try it on grilled chicken or roasted sweet potatoes.
Sample dish: Italian-style Grilled Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
2. Moroccan Spice Blend: This blend is great for seasoning meats and vegetables, as well as stews and soups. To make the blend, mix together cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Try it on roasted carrots or in a lamb tagine.
Sample dish: Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
3. Herbs de Provence Blend: This blend is perfect for seasoning meats, roasted vegetables, and soups. To make the blend, mix together dried thyme, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, and parsley. Try it on roasted chicken or in a vegetable soup.
Sample dish: Herbs de Provence Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables
4. Taco Seasoning Blend: This blend is great for seasoning ground beef, turkey, or chicken for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. To make the blend, mix together black or white pepper, cumin, a pinch of ground cloves, garlic powder, and onion powder. Try it on ground turkey tacos with lettuce cups.
Sample dish: Ground Turkey Tacos with Lettuce Cups and Guacamole
5. Indian Spice Blend: This blend is perfect for seasoning meats, vegetables, and lentil dishes. To make the blend, mix together cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Try it on roasted cauliflower or in a lentil curry.
Sample dish: Indian-Spiced Lentil Curry with Roasted Cauliflower
6. Cajun Spice Blend: This blend is great for seasoning meats, seafood, and vegetables. To make the blend, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano. For a bit of extra flavor, you can add a pinch of pepper, cloves, ginger and/or mustard powder. Try it on grilled shrimp skewers.
Sample dish: Cajun Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice
7. Greek Spice Blend: This blend is perfect for seasoning meats, vegetables, and dips. To make the blend, mix together oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Try it on roasted zucchini, portobello mushrooms or yellow squash or in a tzatziki dip.
Sample dish: Greek-Style Roasted Zucchini with Lemon and Feta
8. Lemon Herb Spice Blend: This blend is great for seasoning fish, chicken, and roasted vegetables. To make the blend, mix together dried thyme, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Try it on roasted salmon or in a lemon herb chicken.
Sample dish: Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon with Asparagus and Tomatoes
9. Curry Spice Blend: This blend is perfect for seasoning meats, vegetables, and rice dishes. To make the blend, mix together cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black or white pepper. Try it on roasted sweet potatoes or in a chicken curry.
Sample dish: Chicken Curry with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Rice
10. Steakhouse Spice Blend: This blend is great for seasoning steaks, burgers, and roasted vegetables. To make the blend, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dried thyme. Try it on grilled steak or in a mushroom burger.
Sample dish: Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and Roasted Vegetables
Final Thoughts
With these ten nightshade-free spice blends, you can add flavor to your meals without worrying about any sensitivities or allergies. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations and see what works best for your taste buds.
If you have any concerns about consuming nightshade spices, it’s best to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian who can advise you on the best course of action based on your individual health needs as it will vary by person.