Not only is it becoming easier to “eat your veggies,” but many adults are including beans in their diet in the attempt to optimize health. Pre-packaged, pre-cut vegetables like carrots, celery, and peppers remain popular at many major grocery stores, and recipes using hummus, salsa dips, and guacamole dips are being increasingly studied for correlation with reduced risk of heart disease.
Hummus, or ground chickpeas with tahini (a sesame seed paste), garlic, and lemon juice seems to have a positive impact on BMI (body mass index), waist size, and heart disease. Less than 1/4 of a cup of hummus paste is recommended to fulfill weekly bean requirements, and sandwiches made with hummus can be delicious as a snack or for a meal.
In general, daily fruit and vegetable intake has been studied and seems to lower the risk of strokes and death due to obesity. Less than a generation ago, consumers were asking, “What is hummus?” and “What is guacamole?” but now roasted garlic hummus dip, roasted red pepper dip, guacamole dips, and even yogurt-based tzatziki dip recipes are becoming standard in many restaurants and grocery stores. Popular yogurt dips tend to be lower in calories than heavier sour cream versions and often come in easily transportable packages.
What is guacamole good for? A wide range of dishes are complemented by guacamole: hamburgers, eggs, fish, beans, rice, and crackers can all benefit from being topped with guacamole, which typically contains avocados, tomatoes, cilantro, and onions. Some restaurants do vary the recipe, however: asking about ingredients at a restaurant can prevent allergic reactions or allow the customer to request extra onions or even garlic.
Hummus, tzatziki dip, and guacamole are all centuries old, and are often included in recipe books as foods that seem to consistently, positively, impact health conditions. All three foods are consumed worldwide, and Americans seem to be enthusiastic about adding variety and taste to their food as well.