Summer is almost over so I think it’s about time I told you one of my secrets. I love a good skinny dip.  No, not swimming in the nude silly.  I love dips that are yummy and healthy treats!  My husband loves dips, and knowing that I’m feeding him something that’s good for his body makes us both feel great.

Annett’s Top 3 Skinny Dips!

• Hummus-  One of my favorite “skinny dips” is a simple smooth hummus.  It’s a traditional Middle Eastern dip that takes the edge off, especially on a hot day.  Coupled with a plate full of veggies, hummus just cannot be beat. 

This dip is made from garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, which are legumes full of protein. It also includes olive oil, which can help regulate cholesterol and protect the heart.  Garlic is another amazing ingredient in hummus that is currently being used to help combat cancer and helps reduce the risk of heart disease.  This skinny dip contains several vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium and more.

• Guacamole- My husband always says he thinks we have some Latin blood in us because we LOVE all types of Latin food.  One of my favorite dips is guacamole! A few years ago on an excursion in Mexico I learned to make authentic guacamole in a cooking class.

 Avocado is the main ingredient in guacamole.  It is an amazing healthy fat.  Guacamole is a good source of vitamins as well, with vitamin C, B6 and K.  This skinny dip’s nutrients can help with things like having healthy bones, production of red blood cells, and helping to decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease. 

• Southwestern Layered Dip-  There are many versions of this dip. Some have 5 layers, 6 or 7, but they all have a few things in common- beans, cheese, and veggies.  The recipe that I like includes salsa, no sodium refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado on top.

This low calorie, low fat, low sodium, low cholesterol, gluten free, high fiber treat is packed full of flavor.  Make sure you put the correct portion on your plate, because you are going to want more.  By modifying the ingredients swapping out things like Greek yogurt for the sour cream, and nonfat beans for the full fat salty ones, and making your own guacamole, you save your body from a lot of excess junk.  It’s so easy to make, you can even make your own homemade corn chips to go with it! Check out this great recipe for the dip and chips here.

I hope you will start to skinny dip as well.  These are great fast healthy treats that you can have any day. No need to wait for a special occasion. I have hummus a few days a week at my house. You can rest easy knowing that you are doing your body good.

What’s your favorite “skinny dip”?