Is hummus and celery a healthy snack for weight loss?

Eating hummus and celery is good for your health. It may lower cholesterol and can be consumed as part of a balanced diet. When it comes to weight loss, many claim that hummus and celery have fat-burning or metabolism-boosting properties. It is a perfect combination of protein and fiber, making it a great choice for overall health. But is it also a good food combination for weight loss? Read on to know if you should eat hummus and celery regularly to lose weight.

Can hummus and celery aid in weight loss?

While both foods have nutritional qualities, their direct impact on weight loss is minimal, says nutritionist Dr Priyanka Rohatgi. Hummus is made from nutritious ingredients like chickpeas and tahini, providing fibre and plant-based protein. This can contribute to a healthy diet and potentially have benefits for cholesterol and body weight regulation. However, hummus is also high in oil and calories, so you need to be mindful of how much you eat. Celery is very low in calories and provides fibre. There are just 6 calories in a medium stalk. It is high in fibre and water content, which helps give a sense of fullness and keeps hunger at bay.

Both hummus and celery can be sensible choices as part of a balanced, low-calorie diet geared towards creating a calorie deficit for weight loss. But they do not speed up your metabolism or burn substantial fat. Their benefit for weight loss is more supportive rather than dramatic. In other words, while they may help, they are not as a powerful weight loss booster as they are advertised to be, says the expert.

Hummus and celery recipes

You can add these two recipes to your balanced diet so, try these celery and hummus recipes:

1. Buffalo hummus celery sticks

Ingredients:

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• 1 cup of hummus
• 1 stalk celery, cut into 3 to 4-inch sticks
• 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• A pinch of paprika

Method:

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• In a small bowl, mix the hummus, hot sauce, yogurt, and lemon juice until well combined.
• Arrange the celery sticks on a serving plate.
• Drizzle and spread the hummus over the celery sticks.
• Sprinkle lightly with paprika.

2. Hummus and celery salad

Salad ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of chopped celery (about 2 to 3 stalks)
• 1⁄3 cup of chopped cucumber
• 1⁄3 cup of grape tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese

Dressing ingredients:

• 1⁄3 cup of plain hummus
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• In a bowl, combine celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• In a separate small bowl, whisk together hummus, olive oil, lemon juice, water, and garlic powder until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
• Let it chill for 30 minutes and then enjoy!

What are the benefits of hummus and celery?

Hummus and celery both offer important health and nutritional benefits.

Some key benefits of hummus include:

• Promotes satiety, satisfies hunger, steadies blood sugar, and supports digestive health.
• Contains minerals such as iron and magnesium.
• Helps reduce inflammation.
• Compounds in hummus may benefit cholesterol profiles and improve cardiovascular health, according to a 2020 study published in the Nutrients journal.

The health benefits of celery are:

• Eating celery can lead to an overall decrease in calorie intake which promotes weight loss.
• Offers diuretic effects from certain nutrients, which can help the body flush out excess fluid and reduce bloating.
• High water and fibre content in celery aid digestion.

Is it okay to eat hummus and celery every day?

When it comes to hummus and celery, daily consumption can certainly be healthy as part of a balanced diet, but moderation is still key. Having a few celery stalks along with a reasonable serving of hummus makes for a nutritious choice packed with minerals, fiber, and healthy plant compounds. Popularly used as a dip, hummus can make an excellent alternative to less healthy options like cheese or fatty frozen appetisers. And celery is a smart swap for carbohydrate-laden crackers. However, too much hummus could lead to excessive calories, sodium, or fat, and gastrointestinal issues. Overeating celery can also bring about side effects like malnutrition or medication interactions.

While hummus and celery are healthy, they alone should not dominate your vegetable and nutrient intake.

What are the side effects of hummus and celery?

When eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, hummus and celery are very healthy foods and unlikely to cause issues for most people, says the expert. However, some possible side effects can occur if you overindulge in either.

1. Stomach issues

Eating excessive amounts of hummus could lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, or bloating in some individuals – especially for people who already struggle to digest legumes. This is due to the high fiber and legume content which may irritate the digestive tract.

2. Weight gain

Weight gain is possible if very large amounts of hummus are eaten regularly since commercial varieties often contain high amounts of oil, tahini, and calories.

Also, celery contains phototoxic compounds that make skin more prone to sun damage.

An excessively high fiber load from overeating celery can also cause issues like gas, diarrhea, and mineral deficiencies if the intake of nutrients isn’t adequately increased as well.

Hummus and celery can be enjoyed at various times of the day. The vegetables and fiber make them good options for snacks between meals to maintain energy.