I’m just starting to eat more healthy and I know that garlic has so many benefits but I avoid it because of the smell, is garlic powder a good alternative?
Yo! Fresh is usually on another level. Of course preference is a big thing as is the time and cost comparison when cooking. If your avoiding garlic breath- garlic powder has the same issue I think.
I personally feel that fresh garlic is on another level.
In addition to the research cited here, all dried herbs and spices, at minimum, lose their vitamin C content due to being dried.https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/wellness-center/what-are-differences-between-using-fresh-versus-garlic-powder/
Fresh garlic contains allicin which is released as a defense mechanism against pests. The allicin generated is unstable and quickly changes into a series of other sulfur-containing compounds such as diallyl disulfide. Allicin is a compound that may help ease inflammation and block free radicals that harm cells and tissues in your body.
Fresh garlic is another level, garlic powder is handy but I usually use it on top of fresh garlic. If you’re not into the smell or prepping fresh garlic you can get fresh garlic like puree in a little tube which you can just add to cooking. I think you can also get it in a jar called Lazy Garlic or something like that but supermarkets have them, again it’s not quite the same as fresh garlic but it’s much easier to use and much less messy and is a better substitute than garlic powder i think!
You can peel multiple and store them in the fridge. You can also freeze chopped garlic in icecube trays which will help keep them fresher for longer but mean less prep time with you. If you really hate the scent, there are odourless supplements.
Fresh garlic has many uses and can taste very different depending on how it is sliced, crushed or minced. I like to use garlic powder to season certain items such as hamburgers or if I need to make a dry rub then powder is the way to go. Really consider garlic powder merely as a spice/flavor enhancer.