Hummus is a tasty and healthy option to serve at your next holiday party, or to have any day of the week as a nutritious snack, spread, or dressing for a side dish. Get maximum nutrition with this middle-eastern favorite for only 50 calories per serving (2 Tbsp.), 1.5 g protein, 1-2 g fiber, 1 g of healthy fats and a good source of important vitamins and minerals!  Test out personalized homemade versions and be on your way to a new favorite healthy holiday snack that doesn’t involve heavy cream or sugar!

Health benefits of hummus:

• Rich in Healthy Fats: High in mono and polyunsaturated fats, hummus helps to lower blood cholesterol and provides protective cell, brain, and heart health functions.
• High in Fiber: Fiber helps you feel full, aids in digestion, and can help regulate blood sugars allowing hummus to be beneficial for weight loss and serve as a diabetic-friendly snack: 1/3 cup provides 4 g fiber, helping you meet your 25 g per day recommendation.
• Good source of Folate, Iron, Manganese and Zinc: Important for cell growth, development and oxygen transport.
• Powerful Protein Source: One serving has 1.5 g protein from the chickpeas, with additional amino acids from the tahini paste to help reach your daily protein needs.
• Low in Sodium and Calories: 1 serving has 73 mg. sodium, and roughly 50 calories.

How to eat more hummus:

• Homemade: Make your own (original recipe provided below but get creative with additional spices and vegetables: roasted red peppers, jalapenos, spinach, kale, artichoke, roasted tomatoes, cumin, cayenne, or paprika) or try these hummus recipes:
  Rainbow Hummus
  Pumpkin Hummus
• Commercially prepared: If choosing at the grocery store, review the label and choose options low in sodium, fat, and calories, which can vary between brands.
• Think ‘Practical’: Scoop homemade hummus into small pre-portioned containers to take for on– the–go snacks.  Some commercial brands have even begun selling small packaged portions to make hummus a portable snack.
• Portion Size: Standard servings are usually 2 Tbsp./30 mg. but it can be easy to over indulge.  Measure out servings to help to stay in moderation.

What to do with your hummus:

• Snack Attack:
  – Spread on apple or pear slices, or juicy tomatoes with basil to garnish
  – Dip with raw vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and celery sticks

• Appetizer/Side Dish:
  – Party Dip: Serve in a small dish centered around various raw cut vegetables or whole grain pita crisps
  – Finger Bites: Place 1 Tbsp. on pre-cut cucumber rounds topped with a sliced olive, tomato, or roasted red pepper

• Sandwich Spread:
  Swap out mayo or creamy dressings for hummus paired for your next grilled Panini or whole-grain sandwich/wrap:
  – Classic Mediterranean: Hummus, tabbouleh, lettuce, tomato, onion
  – Grilled Vegetarian: Hummus, roasted red peppers, eggplant, zucchini/squash

• Pasta Sauce:
  – Toss ¼ cup/60 mg. hummus into a sauce with vegetable broth, and 2 Tbsp./30 ml. red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp./30 ml. low-sodium soy sauce, 1 Tbsp./15 ml. sesame oil for an Asian flair over your choice of whole grain noodles or spaghetti squash.

• Hummus Flatbread Pizza:
  – Swap the sodium loaded red sauce and frozen pizza dinners by brushing whole grain warmed pitas with hummus, chopped cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, diced red onion, and baby arugula.

• Hummus Rotini Pasta Salad:
  – Mix hummus with olive oil, rice wine vinegar, toasted almonds, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss over whole grain noodles or mixed vegetables (shredded cabbage, carrots, and broccoli slaw).