Nutrition Month 2010:
No More Mayo - Try Hummus Instead!

Eating hummus has long been known as a healthy alternative to dip for chips and crudites. However, prepared hummus has far more versatility as a quick and healthy ingredient than simply scooping it out of the container with a few carrot sticks. The creaminess of the garbanzo bean lends itself perfectly as a substitute for oil, egg yolk, or mayonnaise. Use a couple of tablespoons of plain or citrus hummus the next time you make vinaigrette or a mock-Caesar Dressing. Spicy or olive hummus is excellent in appetizers like deviled eggs, where hummus can substitute the mayonnaise as well as some of the egg yolks. Hummus can even be used to make a lighter tartar sauce when mixed with mustard and relish for a grilled fish or tuna salad entree.

By using hummus instead of fats and oils, you are not only cutting calories, but also gaining all of the protein and nutrition that exists naturally in garbanzo beans. Today, many different varieties of hummus are available in grocery stores, which makes it a convenient as well as an exciting way to incorporate flavorful healthy foods into your every day routine.