From chocolate in your chilli to pepper on your chips, these are the strange food pairings that could boost your health

GO on – add a drop of milk to your coffee. It could do you a lot of good.

Many thought black was better – but scientists now say a pinch of white makes you healthier.

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That’s because milk contains micronutrients that are essential for your body.

And there are other ingredients you can add to some of your favorite foods that will boost your health.

Nutritionist Amanda Ursell explains to Claire Dunwell the small recipe changes that add a dose of goodness to your daily diet.

Pour red wine into your casserole

Slurping a sip of red wine into a simmering casserole could help prevent allergies, researchers say.

The cooking process burns off the alcohol, but healthy flavonoids remain.

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Amanda reveals, “After half an hour in the pan, the alcohol is gone, but you still get the goodness of the antioxidant flavonoids.

“Also the orange antioxidant pigments in carrots, as well as the iron from the meat, which the body absorbs well.”

Sprinkle dark chocolate in chili

Grating dark chocolate into your pot of chili can do wonders for heart health, experts say.

Studies by scientists in Sweden, America and Australia found that eating dark chocolate once a week was associated with a lower risk of artery blockage thanks to the flavanols and polyphenols.

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Amanda says, “Look for dark chocolate that’s 70 percent cacao or higher, and limit yourself to a few squares per person.

“It will help make the meal feel rich and filling so you don’t want to choke on the leftover chocolate afterwards.”

A mug with a dash of honey

Instead of spooning sugar into your brew, try honey.

It’s a natural antioxidant that may reduce inflammation and help ward off winter germs, say scientists at Tufts University in Boston.

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But Amanda advises small measures. She says: “It’s important to keep all types of added sugars to a minimum, as the subsequent rise in blood sugar forces the pancreas to release insulin to bring the sugar levels back down.

“The bigger and more frequent these spikes are, the more pressure there is on the pancreas and it can wear down over time.”

Scrambled eggs and a dollop of hummus

HOW do you like your balls in the morning? You could do worse than add a dollop of hummus.

Just one tablespoon in scrambled eggs gives you a shot of soluble fiber, which helps control blood cholesterol levels.

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Amanda says, “Chickpeas and sesame seeds in hummus boost fiber, and when combined with eggs, they also give us bone-building phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, which benefits kids and adults alike.

“It’s an odd combination, but worth a try.”

Lentils in Spaghetti Bolognese xxxx

Throwing a handful of lentils in your spaghetti bolognese is not only good for your health but also for your wallet.

Lentils slow digestion, which helps maintain a healthy weight, and because they help balance gut bacteria, they may also lower the risk of colon cancer.

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Amanda says the can variety will do: “These also give a good dose of plant-based protein, so can be used alone for a veggie bolognese or added to lasagna.

“And since lentils cost a lot less than a packet of ground beef, you’ll feel the benefits in your pocket, too.”

Vegetable stew with peanut butter

THEY are an unlikely pairing, but stirring a pinch of peanut butter into a vegetable stew is a sneaky source of iron — which is essential for focus and feeling energetic.

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Amanda explains, “Both women and girls often struggle to meet their daily iron needs, leaving them feeling tired and stressed and often having trouble concentrating and concentrating.

“Peanut butter can also stave off hunger because it contains protein and good fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help us feel fuller longer after meals.”

Go totally crazy for oatmeal

ADD some Pzazz to your morning oatmeal with a sprinkling of Brazil nuts – while keeping the doctor away.

Those who eat nuts daily are less likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

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Amanda says, “Doctors aren’t exactly sure why, but some research suggests that the fiber in nuts may help our bodies control blood sugar levels.

“Stick to around 25g a day. Research shows that this way of taking it can also help with weight loss, since the combination of protein, fiber and good, unsaturated oils in nuts makes for a really filling combination.

“Brazil nuts are also particularly high in selenium, a mineral that many Brits lack and which experts at Harvard University in America say is crucial in helping to protect against infection.”

A sprinkling of black pepper on chips

LOVE to lather your chips in salt? Don’t forget the pepper.

Peppercorns contain the compound piperine, which a study in India found may lower cholesterol.

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Rats fed it in the lab lost more weight when fed piperine.

Amanda says, “While the salt on your chips consistently helps protect your blood pressure, adding black pepper increases your antioxidant intake.

“Researchers report in laboratory tests that black pepper also lowers bad cholesterol and improves good cholesterol.”