Low-Calorie Hummus - Best Hummus Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What to eat with hummus for weight loss? ›

Even though hummus has lots of great things going for it, you'll want to pay close attention to what you use to scoop it up. For better satiety and nutrition, go with veggie-based dippers like red pepper strips, sliced cucumbers, baby carrots or radishes and limit highly processed pita chips.

The good news is that you can easily make your own low-fat hummus. Cut the fat and calories by using more chickpeas and replacing the oil and sesame seed paste with natural yogurt, garlic cloves, lemon and pepper, and you'll still have a delicious dip.

I like to top my hummus with cumin, chopped jalapeño, cilantro and olive oil. I also like to mix it up a little and substitute cumin with smoked paprika or coriander. You could also try: roasted red peppers, any type of chili pepper, diced red onion, tomatoes, olives, roasted garlic cloves, or even avocado.

"Hummus is made with chickpeas, which are rich in B vitamins. The main function of the B vitamins is to help your body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and to use the stored energy in food." Prepare your hummus-topped treat using a slice of high-fiber whole-wheat bread as the base.

You are going to get a variance depending on the brand, homemade, ingredients etc, but generally, hummus has around 1.2 g protein, 2.1 g carbs, and 1.4 g fats per 1 tablespoon. Peanut butter, on the other hand has 4 g protein, 3 g carbs, and 8 g fats per tablespoon.

Many people worry, and ask “is hummus fattening” as they begin their diet. This is unfortunate, because humus can be a great snack to actually aid weight loss. That's because monounsaturated fats help you lose weight – specifically belly fat.

“Get creative with different veggies—sliced peppers, jicama, radish slices, celery, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, cucumbers, cauliflower, and broccoli florets are all great ways to change up what you dip into hummus,” Michalczyk says. You'll get a great crunch and tons of nutrition.

If you feel adventurous, try replacing the tahini with an equal amount of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, steamed sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to name just a few possibilities.

Because tahini is the butter of sesame seeds, you might want to consider a nut or seed butter as a go-to substitute. Other options include greek yogurt and sesame oil. These tahini substitutes will complement your dish since they are all sources of healthy fats and contribute to a creamy consistency.

Why not to eat Sabra hummus? ›

One ingredient used in Sabra, however, does carry some health concerns: potassium sorbate. This preservative has been linked to migraines and stomach issues, and a recent study published in the journal Toxicology in Vitro found the additive to damage immune-system-regulating white blood cells.

While hummus is a very healthy snack option, it should not be consumed in large quantities.

“In a tablespoon of hummus, there are commonly 2 to 3 grams of net carbs, so this could be a very appropriate snack on a low-carb veggie as a dip or on a lettuce wrap,” says Seattle-based registered dietitian nutritionist, Ginger Hultin, M.S., R.D.N., and author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep.

A healthy portion size of hummus is around 2-4 tablespoons a day, but this must be considered alongside the rest of your diet. There are around 27 calories in a tablespoon of pre-prepared hummus, however, this may alter if you make your own at home.

Instead, celery, raw broccoli, and raw cauliflower are good dipping options. If you're concerned about going overboard with dip, try using hummus as a garnish. Add it to salad or soup for a flavorful, creamy twist, or use it as a low calorie swap for mayonnaise when making low carb sandwiches or wraps.

First, let's look at the nutrition stats for hummus: a 2-tablespoon serving contains about 70 calories, 2 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of carbohydrates and 1.5 grams of fiber. The verdict based on the numbers and ingredients? Hummus is healthy—and you can include it as part of a nutritious diet.

Vegetables

Just about every vegetable you can think of goes well with a scoop of hummus! Sweet little cherry tomatoes may be the best pairing of all, but cucumber, celery sticks, black olives, avocado, sliced sweet peppers, and carrot sticks are wonderful too.