A STAPLE of Middle Eastern cuisine, hummus (rhymes with “pumice”) is a dip made of chickpeas, garlic and tahini (sesame-seed paste.) Because it is vegetable-based hummus is low in calories, but the legumes provide a decent hit of protein while the sesame seeds add a modicum of healthy fat. For weight trainers looking to put on some size, there’s more good news: In research conducted at Rehovot University in Jerusalem, animals fed chickpeas grew faster than those fed only animal proteins. Hummus is tradition- ally served with pita bread, but it’s a great dip for vegetables and makes a good spread on sandwiches.
