Skip cheese and crackers and start your meal with a smart appetizer, like hummus, that won’t send your blood sugar skyrocketing.  The chickpeas in hummus wield a potent stabilizing influence on blood sugar levels and subsequent insulin levels.  They also provide a great source of fiber, another blood sugar stabilizer, and contain resistant starch (RS), fiber-like carbohydrates that increase the rate at which the body burns (oxidizes) fat.

Hummus

Ingredients

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Two 1lb, 3oz. cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2/3 cup well stirred tahini
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
• 1/2 cup olive oil (or to taste)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted lightly

Preparation

1. Mix all of the above ingredients in a food processor until creamy.

2. Serve with raw vegetables like sliced bell peppers, endive, celery, asparagus, broccoli, and radishes.

What anti-inflammatory appetizers do you plan to serve on Thanksgiving?