Thursday, October 21, 2010

Diets in Review

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Hot for Hummus: 5 Varieties We Love
October 21, 2010
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Most of us know that hummus is a creamy dip or spread traditionally made of mashed chick peas, garlic, tahini (sesame) paste and lemon juice. What many of us aren’t aware of is how many varieties of hummus have emerged from home kitchens and some of our favorite food producers, as this Middle Eastern mainstay has become one of the trendiest appetizers in America.

Hummus is more than a just a simple snack: it’s a versatile dip for vegetables, crackers or pita chips and is a delicious substitution for condiments typically high in saturated fats, like sour cream or mayonnaise. The best thing about hummus? If you’re making your own, you can customize it with your favorite flavors and if you’re hitting the grocery store, there is an option for every palate.


Sabra Hummus Singles: Perfect for portion control whether you’re looking to shed poundage or not, single servings of hummus are the perfect snack to pop into your bag for on-the-go lunches or snacks when you’re headed to school or work.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Livestrong




The Calorie Count in Hummus

Oct 18, 2010

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Overview

Hummus is a creamy spread made from chickpeas, tahini, oil and various spices and seasonings. It can be used as a dip for vegetables or spread on crackers for a snack. Many varieties and flavors of hummus are sold in the United States. Two well-known producers are Athenos and Sabra, both of which make a line of hummus products that includes original hummus with no added flavors.

Serving Size

The stated serving size for both Athenos Original Hummus and Sabra Classic Hummus is 2 tbsp. You can use that serving size as a frame of reference when considering the calorie count and other nutritional values. Americans often eat food portions that are larger than the serving size, and you will need to factor this in if you do so, the USDA advises. Also consider the calorie count of the food you eat with hummus.

Calories

A serving of the Athenos Original Hummus contains 50 calories, 25 of which come from fat, while Sabra Classic Hummus has 70 calories, 55 of which come from fat, according to the products' nutrition facts labels. For a 2,000-calorie diet, a serving of the Athenos hummus represents 2.5 percent of your total daily intake. The Sabra hummus is equal to 3.5 percent.

Fat

Athenos Original Hummus contains 3 g of total fat, or 5 percent of the maximum recommended intake. Sabra's Classic Hummus contains 6 g of total fat, or 9 percent of the maximum recommended intake. The Sabra Hummus contains 1 g of saturated fat -- 5 percent of the maximum intake recommendation -- while the Athenos hummus contains no saturated fat. Neither product contains trans fat or cholesterol.

Sodium

Both hummus products will increase your daily sodium intake. The Sabra hummus has 120 mg of sodium per serving, which is 5 percent of the maximum recommended daily intake. The Athenos hummus has 160 mg per serving, or 7 percent of the maximum intake. Your daily sodium intake should be no more than 2,400 mg to help protect against conditions such as hypertension, the USDA advises.

Carbohydrates

Hummus contains only a small amount of carbohydrates. A serving of the Athenos hummus has 5 g of total carbohydrates, equal to 2 percent of the recommended daily intake, while the Sabra hummus contains 4 g of total carbs, or 1 percent of the recommended intake. The carbs in the Athenos hummus include less than 1 g of dietary fiber and less than 1 g of sugars, while the Sabra hummus contains 1 g of dietary fiber and no sugar.

Protein

Both hummus brands contain a small amount of protein: 2 g per serving in Sabra Classic Hummus and 1 g per serving in Athenos Original Hummus. The USDA's Dietary Guidelines do not set a daily intake recommendation for protein because of its prevalence in the American diet, the FDA reports.

Vitamins and Minerals

Hummus is not a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, but each product does contain a small amount of one nutrient. A 2-tbsp. serving of Sabras Classic Hummus contains 2 percent of the recommended daily intake for iron. The Athenos Original Hummus contains 2 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C in each serving Carbohydrates

Hummus contains only a small amount of carbohydrates. A serving of the Athenos hummus has 5 g of total carbohydrates, equal to 2 percent of the recommended daily intake, while the Sabra hummus contains 4 g of total carbs, or 1 percent of the recommended intake. The carbs in the Athenos hummus include less than 1 g of dietary fiber and less than 1 g of sugars, while the Sabra hummus contains 1 g of dietary fiber and no sugar.

Protein

Both hummus brands contain a small amount of protein: 2 g per serving in Sabra Classic Hummus and 1 g per serving in Athenos Original Hummus. The USDA's Dietary Guidelines do not set a daily intake recommendation for protein because of its prevalence in the American diet, the FDA reports.

Vitamins and Minerals

Hummus is not a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, but each product does contain a small amount of one nutrient. A 2-tbsp. serving of Sabras Classic Hummus contains 2 percent of the recommended daily intake for iron. The Athenos Original Hummus contains 2 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C in each serving

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Not Another Healthy Recipe Blog

Product Review: Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
October 14, 2010
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Bell peppers, chickpeas, garlic and tahini. Those are the only ingredients listed for Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on the company's website. I've tried several kinds of hummus and it's my all-time favorite. The garlic is in perfect proportion to the rest of the ingredients. (I find many hummus spreads to have a tad too much garlic in them for my taste.) Tahini is what gives the hummus a creamy texture, not unlike spreadable cheese or peanut butter. My favorite uses for this hummus are:
- spread it on crackers (low-sodium Ritz is a great choice)
- use it as a vegetable dip, especially for grape tomatoes, sliced red pepper and cucumbers

It would make an excellent substitute for cheese in a vegetable quesadilla. (I would suggest roasted or sauteed red pepper, mild onion and mushrooms as a perfect combination.)

I have tried other Sabra hummus flavors: Spinach and Artichoke and Supremly Spicy Hummus. (Both are good, but bear in mind the latter's label isn't lying; it brought tears to my eyes.) I look forward to trying other flavors, but I suspect my favorite won't change.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Domestic Buzz

Go Mediterranean with Sabra
October 13, 2010
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I don’t recall when I tasted hummus for the first time, years ago… all I remember is that it was a revelation. Creamy and smooth; light, yet rich at the same time. There’s nothing else like it. The best thing is that hummus is kid-friendly. My toddler eats it like it’s chocolate pudding, licking it off a spoon. Giving her crackers or pita bread to dip into the hummus is pointless, as she just licks it off until the bread is too soggy to be any good. Sometimes, when I’m not watching, she’ll just use her fingers to get whatever is left in the tub!

There are a few brands of hummus available at the grocery store, but my favorite by far is Sabra. Its hummus doesn’t leave me with a funny aftertaste like one of its competitors, and it’s the perfect consistency. The nice big tub is a huge plus.

Sabra hummus is available in a variety of flavors and convenient sizes – 7oz., 10oz or 14oz. tubs or convenient “To Go” packs. A few of their 13 flavor varieties include:

  • Classic Hummus: High-quality cooked and pureed chickpeas, a touch of garlic and tahini (ground sesame seeds) for a smooth and creamy spread.
  • Hummus with Roasted Pine Nuts: Lightly roasted pine nuts is nestled in Classic Hummus.
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Bits of red pepper complement the rich texture of hummus.
  • Chunky Hummus: Grinding is minimized to give the hummus more bite and bold flavor.
  • Roasted Garlic Hummus: An abundance of finely roasted garlic in Classic Hummus.
  • Greek Olive Hummus: Green and Black olives are paired with Classic Hummus.

Not only are Sabra products delicious, they are also nutritious, with no trans-fats or cholesterol. Chickpeas – the main ingredient of Sabra hummus – are a great source of fiber. Some ideas of how to use hummus:

  • Serve hummus and pita bread instead of chips and sour cream.
  • Substitute hummus for mayonnaise in tuna or chicken salad.
  • Substitute hummus for cream cheese or butter on a bagel.
  • Make a hummus sandwich (my girls love this!)
  • Use it to thicken soups.
  • Spread it on prepared pizza dough, top with veggies and cheese, and you’ve got hummus pizza!

Sabra doesn’t just sell hummus, however. They offer a complete line of authentic Mediterranean dips, appetizers and spreads that are perfect for lunch, a tasty snack or entertaining family and friends.

  • Sabra Fresh Dips: Made with creamy Mediterranean–style yogurt, vegetables and spices to make a dip that is healthy enough for an everyday snack. Available in Sauteed Onion, Spicy Pepper, Tzatziki, and Garlic and Herb.
  • Mediterranean Garden Varieties: Italian Caponata, Turkish Salad, Moroccan Matbucha, Babaganoush, and Grilled Eggplant, just to name a few.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Oh Amanda

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The Pirate Party
October 11, 2010
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Birthday party posts are my fave. And I also dread them. Because I like to give every detail of the party. (I know, you’re shocked by that statement). I want to tell you about each and every decoration, game and food. But I realize that can make for some dull blogging. So, instead, I’ll try (TRY) to put everything into one post. Or maybe I’ll do two. Hmmm….

photoCaptain Hook’s Hummus (Sabra brand with pita)