"Bay leaves are safe to use in cooking but should be removed before consuming the dish because they can be hard and sharp," dietitian Jamie Nadeau, RD, tells USA TODAY.

Are you a bay leaf believer? Or do you think these leaves add little in the way of flavor. Read on to find out whether it's worth using them for soup or not.

The bay leaf is widely known as an aromatic ingredient in cooking, bringing flavor to dishes such as soups, stews and sauces. However, what many don't know is that this leaf has a variety of uses ...