Question about hummus...

Does anyone know why the NZ food safety authority say to avoid eating hummus during pregnancy? Is it something to do with the hygiene of bought hummus? Can i still make my own at home? Can I still eat chickpeas?

Help! I'm having major hummus cravings......

Hey Sarah - I wish I could remember which page but the may forum had a huge discussion about food, in particular hummus, just the other day. If you don't get the answers you're looking for here, maybe poke your head in there and ask the question and I'm sure someone will be able to tell you!

Personally I don't see any prob with it as long as I eat it freshly made or freshly opened. I know I def ate it with Bethany cuz being dairy/gluten intolerant myself, it's one of the few 'dips' I can have. Hope that helps?

It is the tahini that you're not supposed to have (don't ask me why). I ate it anyway. But if you are worried about it I would just make some at home without tahini

I don't see why tahini would be a problem as it is just sesame seeds and olive oil. I eat hummus all the time and have had no problems..

As with everything i just make sure it's freshly opened. Open it and eat the whole thing haha.

Personally i think they go way over the top with those food guidelines. Another thing for mothers to feel guilty about. Confession - i eat blue cheese and brie and, shock horror call cyfs, drink the odd glass of wine.

I took your advise crafty1 and scoffed the lot Tummy is happy now

My MW said we're told to avoid most foods because theres so many different ways to prepare food, some people aren't as "safe" when they prepare foods, etc and also some foods don't have set standards for preparing them. It's a shame if you can't eat it...

Re the sushi thing above, MW said to me I could have it so long as it's just been freshly prepared and as long as it's only the vegeterian kind.

I eat it if I buy it from a good maker (something like Lisa's) and only if its freshly opened.

 

PS. You can make hummus without using tahini, I've never made it with tahini and it tastes just as good

If it looks dodgy (sp?) or not quite right or smells weird then I don't eat it. I just eat what I am comfortable eating. Except with meat lol

It's easy to make your own tahini. Just lightly roast the sesame seeds in a dry frypan, don't let them go brown. Then let them cool and process in the food processor with olive oil till you get the right consistency. It stores in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 months. And since you've made it yourself you know what food prep hygiene went into it.

I used to make it and then use it to make hummus and felafels but i can never get my hummus tasting that good so gave up after about a million tries. And got sick of my felafels falling apart so gave up the whole meal altogether but now strangely am getting a bit of a craving!

There is a recipie out there which uses yoghurt instead of tahini, and is quite yummy, added calcium without the risk? Suggest eating it straight away though.

There are loads of different flavours you can make at home, such as beetroot, aubigiene and pumpkin, which have a similar texture, adds a bit of variety and more veges to the diet.   Just use chickpeas as the base.

Edited by Sarah88