41 Hummus Nutrition Facts: Everything About The Middle Eastern Dish

Hummus is a popular appetizer or snack in the Middle East, and it is gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well.

It is a creamy puree made mainly out of chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice. While garlic is also one of the ingredients now, it wasn't used that often in the past.

Hummus has been one of the most prominent staple food items in the Middle East for a very long time. It is also widely consumed in the Mediterranean and parts of North Africa. This dish has now gained worldwide popularity, mostly because it is inexpensive and very easy to make. 

Most households, especially in regions where it is regularly eaten, make their own hummus instead of buying it from the market.

The main ingredients which are used to make hummus have a long shelf life, which makes hummus much more durable than most food items. In today's time, this dip has spread across the world, which is why many regions have different versions of it, and contrary to a certain belief, hummus is not a junk food item.

It is, in fact, quite healthy and beneficial if consumed in regulated amounts.

Fun Facts About Hummus

Hummus is a dip that is not only popular as a staple in the Middle East but also carries with it several health benefits, which makes it a perfect meal serving. It is made out of food items that are full of nutrition, making the resultant hummus even healthier.

• Hummus is known to be a great source of protein and fiber and also is low in calories and fat, along with being cholesterol-free.
• Hummus is also a very good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
• Hummus contains antioxidants that can protect your body against disease.
• Hummus is most famous for its creamy and smooth texture, which is usually the first thing people notice while eating it.
• While chickpeas are responsible for the main flavoring, there is a hint of nutty tahini paste, citrusy lemon juice, or olive oil and garlic.
• Some people also prefer hummus made out of avocado and olive oil or cashew as a substitute for tahini in case of a nut allergy and lemon juice.
• In the United States, hummus is famously eaten with pita bread along with fresh vegetables.
• However, there is a multitude of other food items it can be eaten with, like falafel, roasted peppers, stuffed grape leaves, dried fruits, and meat like grilled lamb or fish.
• In the Middle East, hummus is served generally as part of the mezze platter.
• Hummus made from canned chickpeas bought at the market usually lasts up to two months if not opened, but homemade hummus, if stored in an airtight container for 7-10 days, can last a little longer.
• There are a number of hummus recipes in today's time, with every recipe made out of different ingredients containing a variety of food items.
• There is the classic hummus with fried chickpeas and parsley oil, which is usually eaten in the Middle East.
• Other than that, there are a number of other variants like edamame hummus, hummus trio, instant pot hummus, and green and red pesto hummus dip, which are quite popular and are largely eaten in different parts of the world.

Nutritional Facts About Hummus

How much a nutrient-containing dish is Hummus is still what people ponder about quite often. Even though the general nutrition advice is that it is healthy for consumption in a moderated quantity, it is still important to know all about the nutrition facts.

• Hummus contains a lot of vitamins, protein, healthy fats, minerals, and iron.
• A 100 g serving of hummus consists of 166 calories, 9.6 g fat, 7.9g protein, 14.3 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, and limited amounts of Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Copper.
• It is a good source of plant-based protein, serving 7.9 g per serving.
• Given all of its ingredients are plant-based products, it makes for a good vegetarian meal item.
• It also helps in providing relief from inflammatory diseases.
• Hummus provides for a good amount of dietary fiber, 6 g per serving, which helps in improving a person's digestive health.
• It has a low glycemic index, also aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
• It is also known to have nutrients that reduce the risk of liver and heart disease, making it good for both the liver and heart.
• Since it is a source of dietary fiber and healthy oils, consuming hummus is also beneficial in weight loss.
• People with nutrition intolerances can consume hummus without any issues because it is naturally gluten, nut, and dairy-free.
• It is also very good for people on a low sugar diet because it is free from added sugar.
• It is very easy to blend in any kind of diet because of its balanced nutrient constitution.

Facts About Side Effects Of Eating Hummus

Hummus is a healthy dish, but like anything else, it should be eaten in moderation. In spite of containing nutrients like protein, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats, it can still be dangerous if eaten in more than required.

• Hummus is made mainly from chickpeas, which are legumes that take time to break down during digestion, which means eating a lot of it can cause gastrointestinal inflammation.
• The said inflammation can lead to IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, causing severe bloating, gas, stomach pain, constipation, and even diarrhea.
• If a person is allergic to chickpeas or has a certain bodily problem related to its consumption, they should avoid eating hummus as a regular food item in their daily diet.
• Hummus also contains good amounts of dietary fiber, which, even though it is a healthy supplement, can still cause digestive distress if eaten in large amounts.
• The amount of fat, even though they are healthy fats, and calories per serving are quite high in hummus, which, if eaten more, can defeat the purpose of weight loss.
• It can be eaten as a snack dip or spread with vegetables like carrots, which is good your health.
• Since hummus already has the required quantity of spices and salt, eating it with excessively salty items in a diet can induce sodium-led problems, which can be bad for your health.

Facts About Hummus' Origins

Hummus is a popular and tasty appetizer or snack in the Middle East, and it is gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well. It is full of calories, vitamins, fat, and several other nutrients which a person can eat as a part of their diet, but in limit.

Its origin, however, is a question to ponder upon for several people.

• Hummus, among many other foods, is said to be originated in the Middle East.
• It is considered a very old dish, dating back centuries.
• There are several claims regarding its origin by the Greeks, Arabs, and even Israelis.
• Although there is no definite proof of its origin, based on certain historical data, it is likely to have come up somewhere in Egypt around the 13th century.
• The word hummus means 'chickpea' in Arabic, which are legumes that serve as the primary ingredient for the dip.
• Greeks and Arabs were involved in mutual trade for a very long time, especially during the Ottoman Empire, when a lot of products, including foods, exchanged boundaries.
• Several cuisines of both cultures bear resemblance for this reason, making it very hard to determine the exact origins of hummus.
• Origins of many other dishes which people eat as a part of their diet in the region, like 'baklava' and stuffed grape leaves, are also uncertain because of the same reason.