Everyone is always looking for good and nutritious party snacks. Contrary to popular belief, party snacks can taste amazing AND be good for you! Canada has over 15 public holidays (and as many as 22 depending on the area), which is prime time for spending time with your family and friends and making snacks to share. Some fun and fresh ideas that are relatively simple to prepare include lettuce wrap recipes, recipes with hummus, and deviled egg recipes. With Canada having a prevalence towards being overweight or obese (meaning their energy intakes are greater than their energy expenditure), it can always help to have more low fat (but still delicious!) recipes on hand.
Let’s Talk About Hummus
What Is It?
Hummus is a spread made mainly from chickpeas, garlic, and tahini, although depending on the recipe other ingredients may be added. It originated in Egypt but is popular in many kinds of Middle Eastern fare. It’s become very popular in North America and the rest of the world as as a filler for things like a vegan take on lettuce wrap recipes, dip for crackers, pretzels, vegetables, and so much more. Since it’s a fairly neutral base, many different things can be added to hummus to make it more interesting for a culture constantly looking for new variations on the same idea.
What Kinds Are There?
Of course the most popular kind of hummus is still the original (plain) kind. However, there are many different flavors of hummus, including roasted red pepper hummus, garlic hummus, sun dried tomato hummus, and so much more. You can even get creative in your own kitchen and blend in flavors you think would go well with the chickpeas!
Why Is It So Good For Me?
Hummus dips or spreads have amazing nutritional powers! They are a great source of protein — something that’s important for your body to generate healthy nails and skin, repair tissue, and build strong bones. It’s low-sodium, with one serving (about two tablespoons) having under 150 mg. It’s also rich in folate (almost 40% the recommended consumption in just one cup!). Folate rich foods can help reduce particular kinds of cancer and risk of having heart disease later in life. Additionally, the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences published a study in 2014 that showed that people who choose hummus as a snack are over 50% more likely to not be obese and more likely to have low blood pressure, as compared with those who choose another snack.
What Other Kinds of Things Can It Be In?
Hummus can also be found as a filler in lettuce wrap recipes instead of chicken or another meat filler. You can also layer it on bread with other vegetables or pickled items like peppers or olives. It can also just be eaten by itself! Hummus is also used as a topping for a main dish. Its possibilities are absolutely endless!
With such a versatile food that’s relatively easy to make and can be found in stores everywhere, you just have to try a spoonful!