Is hummus, the Middle Eastern dip, a meat replacement since its made from beans?
The garbanzo beans (chickpeas) in hummus provide the protein and minerals found in meats, along with dietary fiber that meats lack. However, you’ll need about a half-cup serving of most hummus recipes to get enough protein to substitute for a serving of meat. Because of the high fat content of the tahini (sesame seed paste) added to the mashed beans in hummus for flavor, a half-cup of hummus might contain from 200 to 700 calories and 10 to 60 grams of fat. Although some vegetarians may need a concentrated source of calories like hummus, most Americans should eat it in moderation to avoid excess calories. For example, you can use small amounts – like two tablespoons – to accompany raw vegetables and rely on other kinds of bean dishes that are lower in fat as protein sources. You could also make some of the lower-fat versions of hummus featured in healthy cookbooks, magazines and websites to enjoy a lowfat meat substitute. Q: My children only want cereal for breakfast, snacks and other m
