Hummus: A Healthy Snack

What’s to love about hummus?  Everything!  And it seems like more and more people are discovering the joy of hummus; the hummus industry has been growing quickly in the US, going from $5 million 15 years ago to $530 million in 2012. If you haven’t jumped on the hummus train, what’s stopping you?

Hummus is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that is made of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), olive oil, lemon juice, tahini (ground sesame seeds), garlic, and salt.  But these days, you’ll find all sorts of popular additions to flavor hummus, including olives, roasted red peppers, edamame, and spices and herbs.  You can buy it premade (like the Made in Vermont Vermont Hummus Company hummus), or you can save a little money and make your own using either chickpeas from our Bulk Department or from a can.  If you are interested in making your own, try this classic hummus recipe, or try subbing black beans for chickpeas in this black bean hummus recipe.  As you get more comfortable, try experimenting with additional or different add-ins, different types of beans, or even making hummus from vegetables instead, like this Swiss chard hummus recipe!

Not only can hummus be customizable and taste great, it’s also good for you.  While it is a bit calorie-heavy (1 cup boasts about 408 calories), it’s a great source of fiber (15g per cup), protein (19g per cup), and iron.  You can even boost the benefits of the protein found in hummus by pairing it with whole wheat pita bread, which will create a complete protein.  Eating hummus with veggies is also a great way to add some more nutritional punch to your snack, or try replacing mayo with hummus on your sandwiches to cut calories and fat (not to mention, hummus adds more flavor!).

Want even more hummus in your life?  Try eating hummus for lunch or dinner as a hummus bowl: serve a bowl of hummus, topped with seasonal cooked veggies, along with a side salad and whole wheat pita bread for a delicious, healthy, and satisfying meal.