Eat To Be Healthy With Greek Yogurt and Hummus

Many people find it hard to get enough nutrient-rich food in their diet. As a matter of fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommended eating more fruits and vegetables than ever before. Sadly, nine out of ten Americans do not eat enough vegetables in a day, including nutrient-rich beans. Vegetables, including beans, are especially nutrient-dense and can not only aid not in weight loss, but can also helps reduce the problems caused by many chronic diseases. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and inflammation can greatly improve with a nutrient-dense diet. Calories from these foods are loaded in essential vitamins, nutrients and protein. Inflammation, or swelling, is the precursor to many disease processes. If you are able to control inflammation, you can improve on many health risks. Eating fruits and vegetables just three to four times a day versus one or less times a day could lower the chance of stroke by as much as 27 percent and could decrease mortality from stroke by as much as 42 percent. Along with reducing the risk and mortality of stroke, a diet high in fruits and vegetables could lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 25 percent.

A tasty way to add more legumes, or beans, to the diet is by eating hummus. Chickpeas, which is what hummus is made from, is thought to be one of the earliest cultivated vegetables. Today, there are several different flavors of hummus products that can be used in a variety of hummus recipes and hummus dips.

Another great way to add protein and healthy nutrition to your diet is by eating tzatziki greek yogurt dip. Not only is tzatziki greek yogurt dip high in protein, it also has 67% fewer calories and 88% less fat than leading dips and recipes that are made with sour cream. Greek yogurt, in itself, has as much as twice the protein of regular yogurt. This is especially importance in building muscles. Tzatziki greek yogurt dip can be used in a variety of ways. Instead of high fat dips, use tzatziki greek yogurt dip with your favorite chip, cracker or vegetable. Tzatziki greek yogurt dip can also be added to your next pizza, pita or sandwich. Use it as a spread to add flavor and nutrition to your next meal. Varieties include roasted garlic hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, spicy hummus, pepper hummus and basil pesto hummus, just to name a few.

You and your family deserve to be as healthy as possible. The health benefits of a good diet are so important but can be easy and also tasty. On your next shopping trip, plan to add hummus and greek yogurt to your cart.