Houmous is fantastic when accented with other flavours and ingredients. There are plenty of blended houmous flavours out there, but ‘topped’ houmous is a legacy from its origins, and is how it is best enjoyed. We decided to use this global inspiration and provide a range of fantastic ‘toppings’ that genuinely complement the houmous.
‘A word from our Nutritionist, Penny Lipitch’
As a nutritional therapist, I usually put houmous into patients’ diet plans and often receive the same reaction “isn’t houmous fattening?!” Well, the answer is it does contain fat content in the olive oil, sesame seeds and chick peas, but when we look at fats, we should be looking at the different types of fats. ‘Fat’ is complex. There are good fats (polyunsaturated) and bad fats (saturated) – the good ones are beneficial as they can help break down the bad fats and give our bodies the fat we need. Houmous contains the good fats as well as having a low Glycaemic Load (GL) (around 8 per 150g serving). The Glycaemic Load (GL) and Glycaemic Index (GI) give information on how foods affect blood sugar and insulin levels – the higher the GL, the more it will affect those levels. A high GL food raises blood sugar levels and creates a rush of energy which will subsequently crash. Low GL foods like Saz Houmous keep blood sugar and energy levels consistent throughout the day. Overall, Saz Houmous and Falafel combine high quality, authentic ingredients which are low in sugar, saturated fats and salt and high in unsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals,
Saz Houmous contains the following beneficial ingredients;
- Virgin Olive oil: containing monounsaturated fat which can help to reduce cholesterol levels and Vitamin E, an antioxidant and good for the skin due to its cell protecting qualities.
- Chickpeas (59% in Saz Houmous): a great source of fibre, protein and also tryptophan (a precursor to serotonin, which can help with improving mood).
- Sesame seeds: containing calcium, iron and zinc as well as being high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.
- Garlic: another super food – it has anti inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti viral qualities as well as being able to help reduce cholesterol and benefiting the heart and circulation.
Saz Houmous is prepared using minimal processing which means the ingredients (apart from the chickpeas which are meant to be cooked) are left unheated and therefore unchanged which keeps their nutrients in tact and for longer.
Penelope Lipitch BA NT Dip CNM
Penelope is a qualified Nutritional Therapist having studied at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London. She currently runs her own business specialising in stress management in the workplace and combining a healthy lifestyle with the demands of a modern working life. If you would like any more information on houmous nutrition or are interested in the benefits of having a Nutritional Therapist in your life or your work place, then please contact Penelope at penelopelipitch@gmail.com
Nutritional Analysis:
Original Houmous per 100g.
| Energy | 1242 kJ | Fat | 25.1g |
| 300 kcal | of which Saturates | <2.9g | |
| Protein | 7.2g | of which Mono unsaturates | 13.7g |
| Available Carbohydrate | 8.5g | of which Poly unsaturates | 7.4g |
| of which Sugars | 0.6g | of which Trans unsaturates | ‘Trace’ |
| Dietary Fibre | 5.8g | Sodium | 0.42g |
Original Falafel per 100g
| Energy | 1092 kJ | Fat | 13.1g |
| 261 kcal | of which Saturates | <1.3g | |
| Protein | 10.2g | of which Mono unsaturates | 7.4g |
| Available Carbohydrate | 23.3g | of which Poly unsaturates | 3.9g |
| of which Sugars | 2.2g | of which Trans unsaturates | ‘Trace’ |
| Dietary Fibre | 4.7g | Sodium | 1.25g |
We hope you will explore and try our full range of toppings. In the meantime we will be working to add more delicious ‘toppings’ as soon as possible…….