Is there such a thing as low fat hummus?

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus? Yes, there is but there shouldn't be. It is based on the false notion that it is the lipids in food that make us obese.

There is overwhelming evidence that the fruit oils from the avocado and the olive are supremely good for us; in moderation, of course.

Disclaimer

Amy writes

Amy has a good recipe; but it could be better. It needs fat to give satiety, that sense of fullness that stops the constant need to snack and greatly improves the absorption of the phytonutrients.

Amy's false notion

There is a certain logic that it is the butter, cheese and oils that make us fat; obese or give us a "weight problem." And of course eaten in excess they will.

But the vast majority of people have a "weight problem" because they are not eating food that addresses the whole question of hunger.

Fat, protein and fibre in our food stimulates glands in the small intestine to secrete the "incretin hormones" that signal the pancreas and the brain that it's time to stop eating.

And so eating low fat hummus with no olive oil will not satisfy your hunger pangs adequately, Amy.

It does go a long way though to satisfy our need for wholesome, filling food. It has plenty of protein and fibre in the chickpeas and parsley; but it is incomplete. It would be so much better if you added some olive oil, Amy; a small amount if you feel strongly that a low fat diet will adequately address your weight problem.

That rice

Amy mentions that rice and lentils are a big part of her diet.

She makes no mention of what kind of rice. Lentils crack the nod every time; like chickpeas they are listed amongst the very good foods.

But polished, white rice is the downfall of so many folk with a "weight problem." It has an extremely high glycemic index, read is very fattening; an ultraprocessed food.

In fact it should not really be called a food; it doesn't qualify because all the nutrients have been extracted by the millers.

Google "what is food?" It must contain energy plus nutrients. White rice does not qualify.

Beriberi

The story of rice and a terminal disease called beriberi that killed millions of people is one of the most amazing discoveries of nutritional science. The true story of how four brilliant doctors finally cracked the code is absolutely worth a read.

• Generalised muscle weakness: the discovery of the first vitamin.

Prior to that discovery, doctors thought that beriberi was caused by a bacterium, virus or toxin found in mouldy grain. But no, it was a deficiency of a hitherto unknown substance called thiamine that is located in the bran of the rice that killed so many people. They called it vitamin B1.

The astonishing thing is that people are still eating white rice; and can't figure why they have so many of the signs and symptoms of a low level vitamin B1 deficiency. One of which is a "weight problem."

Is amy a vegan? What is a "complete" protein?

We don't know of course but there aren't too many carnivores out there eating lentils and making vegetable broths; both of which I absolutely applaud, by the way.

Legumes with the possible exception of broad beans^[2] are not "complete" proteins; they do not contain all the "essential" amino acids that we simply cannot be healthy or even survive without.

So vegetarians through the centuries have added a sesame seed paste called tahini to their hummus; then it's a complete protein. In theory you could survive and be healthy without any other though I would not recommend that.

Broad bean hummus

Broad beans do contain all the amino acids; they are also known as favas and fabas.

I personally love a broad bean hummus instead of chickpeas; over and above all those essential amino acids these delicious legumes are also the only natural source of dopamine, the happy hormone. But you will rarely find them in the grocery store; you have to grow them yourself. I eat them daily to control the nasty tremor in my right hand; the possible onset of Parkinson's Disease.

• My journey with broad beans
  

That tahini

Would I be correct, Amy in assuming that you also think that the fat in sesame seeds would contribute to your "weight problem;" so you have omitted tahini from your hummus recipe.

I'm a great believer in recipes that have stood the test of time; an authentic hummus must have chickpeas, tahini and olive oil; all the essential amino acids, the richest source of vitamin B6 and fat to help with the absorption of the important phytonutrients like apigenin in the parsley.

It's a bit of a mystery but more than half of those eating mainly grocery store food are seriously deficient in vitamin B6; actually it is a family of 8 phytonutrients. We need all eight but they are located in many different legumes, fruits and vegetables; enjoy a wide variety of foods and include the powerhouse that is hummus.

• Frailty and vitamin B6
  

Garbanzo beans

Another thing that Amy has got right is calling her chickpeas "beans."

In many parts of the world chickpeas are known as garbanzo beans.

Why are you using lemon juice, amy?

Here Bernard Preston is going out on a limb and will be laughed at by most of those who are serious about their food.

More than half of the nutrients in the lemon are found in the pulp. You will find your hummus is even better, Amy if you use the whole fruit and you won't be able to taste the difference; great that you are using the zest where much of the limonin is located.

Oh, avoid the pith and pips of course.

• Use the lemon pulp too
  

Have you got lots of time on your hands, Amy?

I suspect not but like most of the world you don't have a pressure cooker.

After the twentieth time that my chickpeas boiled over or got burned because they ran dry, I went out and bought a pressure cooker. Now it takes only 25 minutes, they never flood the hob and aren't burned. And it uses a lot less electricity; saving me time and money.

Thank you for your contribution, Amy from Townsville. It's raised lots of points about authentic hummus recipes and the importance of lipids in our food; the brain after all is 60% fat.

• The healthy fruit oils: avocados and olives; they won't contribute to your "weight problem."

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus? Yes there is but it ain't proper; have no fear of olive oil, Amy.

chickpeas are so dull

In a world obsessed with taste, the cry is that chickpeas are so dull; and so they are. Another thing that Amy got absolutely right is the addition of various herbs and spices to dickey up her hummus.

• Making vegetable stock from scraps
  

Have you ever roasted your own cumin? I can get high with a little help from friends like that spice.

• Cumin plus lime for weight loss

That is another thing that Amy's got right; there is strong research that cumin mixed with limes or lemons helps with weight loss.

The science behind hummus

Perhaps you just want to make hummus but if you have an inquiring mind you'll find that the science behind this gorgeous condiment will give you a far greater understanding of wellness and how not to develop a "weight problem" in the first place.

And if you are already obese then perhaps Bernie's scientifically proven weight loss program will help you; it's not a diet.

Start getting into the science behind your nosh; you'll be so much healthier and able to enjoy your meals without "food noise" constantly drumming in your ears.

I don't believe in diets; whilst some have their good points none of them deliver on their promises as we all know only too well.

Instead learn how certain foods stimulate the natural gut hormones that regulate appetite; hummus is one of them. Then you can kiss that dirty four-letter word diet goodbye forever.

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus? Yes but it won't stimulate the incretin hormones adequately.

Low fat yoghurt

Where I do go along with the keto diets, Amy is the understanding that high fat provides satiety more quickly; they are right.

But there remains a strong dietary bias against animal fats; that includes the cream in yoghurt. Here you must follow your own inner wisdom. My understanding is that it depends on what else you are eating.

If I my little surmise is correct, that you are a vegetarian and are eating plenty of high fibre foods, then my opinion is that you can enjoy full cream yoghurt; but others would disagree and I am not certain. Are your cholesterol levels and triglycerides in order?

This Modified Banting Diet does have quite a lot going for it. Only make changes that you are ready and willing to continue with for the rest of your days; anything else is doomed to fail.

Food Processor versus Stick Blender

A food processor will give you a much smoother hummus but it's a lot of schlep; I prefer a stick blender. Slow food, made fast is our motto.

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus? The olive oil too will make it smoother.

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus?

Is there such a thing as low fat hummus? Is olive oil essential? Without fat, absorption of the important plant nutrients in the chickpeas, tahini and parsley is severely limited.

From the journals

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