Anuradha Varanasi
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Written By: Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : August 26, 2016 2:35 PM IST
How many times have you had an intense craving for a salty snack when you swore off junk food? If you are like me, staying away from a packet of chips when those food cravings kick in is virtually impossible. As my waist size steadily kept increasing over the last few months, it was a rude wake-up call for me that I needed to make changes in my diet if I want to get rid of that unwanted fat.
My sister then suggested that I should make hummus for myself to snack on especially when I m in office, or at home during a lazy weekend. For those who haven t tried Lebanese food yet, hummus is a popular dish that is made from boiled chickpeas or channa, olive oil, garlic, salt, lemon juice and tahini which is a paste made from sesame seeds and olive oil. These are the ways hummus keeps you hale and hearty.
This is a cold dish that is used mainly as a dip and the best part is, it is very easy to make and won t take more than 15-20 minutes. Not only is it delicious but it is also highly nutritious as it is a rich source of vitamins A and C, protein, fibre and healthy fats. Avoid buying ready-made hummus as it has high sodium content and is full of preservatives. You could also try this beetroot hummus recipe.
People most commonly eat hummus as a healthy dip by using pita bread or lavash, a flatbread. However, if you re trying to lose weight, you can replace pita bread and lavash with crunchy vegetables. Cut carrot, capsicum and cucumbers in slices and enjoy it with your hummus. You can have up to three servings a day.
It has been a week since I have started eating hummus with carrot sticks and I have noticed that my stomach doesn t feel bloated and it also aids in digestion. If you re a diabetic or suffering from a heart disease, studies have found that it is a healthy snack for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications [1]. Here s how hummus keeps you healthy.
Reference:
[1] Augustin LSA, Chiavaroli L, Campbell J, et al. Post-prandial glucose and insulin responses of hummus alone or combined with a carbohydrate food: a dose response study. Nutrition Journal. 2015;15:13. doi:10.1186/s12937-016-0129-1.
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