Still on cloud nine from celebrating my anniversary this week and I’ve been thinking more about what my diet was like gearing up for my wedding. I remember eating red pepper slices and some hummus almost everyday for a snack before dinner. And this is something I still do!
Hummus is very nutritious if made fresh and can be a great pick me up that replaces processed junk in vending machines at work or prepackaged “health” bars. It’s got a combo of protein and fiber to keep you from craving junk. I throw hummus and a red pepper or a few carrots or celery sticks right in my bag before work almost everyday. It’s too easy.
I’ve been making my own hummus for many years. I don’t buy the pre-made stuff for lots of reasons. Please don’t cuss when you find out what’s in your packaged hummus!
1 – Almost all pre-packed hummus on the market uses either soybean oil or canola oil. Both of these are the cheapest oils to use and if you have been reading my blog, you know these oils offset the balance of Omega 3 fatty acids to Omega 6 fatty acids. This imbalance is what is causing so many people to be Omega 3 deficient. Study after study has shown that Omega 3 deficiency causes several chronic diseases like cancer, depression and arthritis.
2 – Soybeans, corn and canola (rapeseed) are grown with lots of genetically modified seeds and sprayed with a ton of pesticides. Pesticides cause all sorts of problems such as neurological, reproductive and endocrine disorders. This is why I eat organic whenever possible.
These are reasons enough for me not to buy the packaged stuff.
But it gets worse….
3 – Many brands add Potassium Sorbate as a food preservative to keep the hummus from molding or growing yeast. This ingredient has been known to cause skin allergies with prolonged use. Ever wonder why you can’t get rid of that eczema? This could be the culprit.
4 – Sodium Benzoate is another preservative added to commercial hummus – when combined with Vitamin C this can produce benzene that has been known to cause Leukemia and other cancers. It’s a small risk this may happen, but why should the consumer be put at risk in the first place?
5 – Phosphoric Acid is a chemical added hummus to add a tangy or sour taste to the product. They use this inorganic chemical because it is cheaper than using real lemon juice. This chemical has been known to promote osteoporosis, leaching calcium from our bones. No thanks.
And drum roll please….
6 – One of the biggest mass producers of hummus “Athenos” uses High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Enough said. Please make your own hummus or come over and I’ll share!
Here’s one of my favorite recipes for hummus, it’s inspired off another blog I read recently thanks to my friend Rachel at work! (Thanks Rachel!)
- 1 can of “Eden Farms” organic garbanzo beans
- 1 TBSP organic tahini
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
- juice of one lemon
- juice of one orange
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 1 small beet chopped
- handful of cilantro
- 1 tsp of maple syrup (optional if you like it sweeter)
- Drain garbanzo beans and give them a quick rinse
- Combine all ingredients except olive oil in food processor/blender and blend
- Once combined, scrape sides
- Start blending again and add olive oil slowing into mixture while it is blending
- Remove all hummus into an air tight container and serve or refrigerate up to 5 days.
I am totally bring this to a BBQ for the 4th!
Aren’t you supposed to avoid canned vegetables, even if they’re organic, because of chemicals leaking into the food from the can itself?
Look at the label on the can. Some are BPA free and ok to use.
Julia, you are correct. BPA was replaced by chemicals such as BPS which have been found to leach endocrine disruptors at an even higher rate than the BPA they replaced. BPA-free does not indicate any greater level of safety whether on a can or plastic water bottle or sippy cup. Sadly.
This looks amazing, and I can’t wait to make it. I’ve actually been able to find some really good organic hummus—Pita Pal brand—at Publix for when I need something quick. But for when you want a special flavor, making your own is always the way to go!
I make alot of my own hummus but found that Engine 2 hummus at Whole Foods is organic and no oil added!
What is Tahini and where can I buy it. Btw, thanks for all the great healthy recipes! I made your Gazpacho yesterday and it was Fabulous!!
Debbi, Tahini is smushed up sesame seeds. In NC, Harris Teeter shelves it with peanut butter and Whole Foods has it close to the same position.
I often leave tahini out of my hummus and it’s still amazingly great.
Do I need to add Tahini or any oil??? I try not to eat or use any oils ~
Yes you can leave both out, you will need water and lemon juice.
Right…. Hummus that lasts 5 days? Nada 🙂
I always make my own hummus and add some organic greek yogurt to make it creamier!
We live in Europe. Rapeseed is NOT equal to Canola oil. Canola (US/Canada) is highly refined and thusly GMO. Rapeseed in Europe has harmful ingredients bred out naturally (Erucic Acid). The USA needs to sell natural Rapeseed oil, not canola oil.
Humans can not digest the rapeseed plant why use it at all…Be Well
beets and Carrots– cooked? or raw?
Just made this today Didn’t have an orange or the cilantro on hand so doubled the lemon juice and it came out fantastic. So delish. Thanks for the great recipe @foodbabe
I made this today. WOW! Totally awesome. I had it on sesame crackers. Otherwise, I might double or triple the tahini.
can you freeze this?
Ok, I will come over so you can share : )
I agree with Emily about Pita Pal’s organic hummus. It is the only good alternative to making your own hummus at home.
What about the Teva organic Hummus being sold at Costco now in 3 packs? The classic version does use Canola Oil which I know is a no-no, but it’s organic. Additionally, it has Cultured Dextrose and Guar Gum on the ingredient list. What are these things? It is so thick, one of them must be a thickener.
I was unsure about the beet (beetroot as we call it) , whether it should be cooked or raw but i made it with raw and I stuck to the exact recipe and every ingredient was organic including the corn chips I served it with (the rolls looked too filling, i wanted a snack). My 14 yr old is now converted to pink food with beetroot ! She took off with the whole dish I had made for myself, which I had coaxed her into trying. My only comments would be add more salt and lemon juice, and i also added more finely chopped coriander (we dont get cilantro, but i think its the same thing) after blending – thanks for this. Ill be trying more soon, im in my 4th week of veganism and on the lookout for new dishes 🙂
I think Parsley would be a closer substitute to cilantro.
Coriander and cilantro are the same thing. Cilantro is the Spanish word for coriander.
Best hummus EVER!! Thank you for such amazing, clean, refreshing recipes <3 !!
The blender picture looks like bay leaves. Are they bay leafs?