Today I’m excited to write about 3 amazing dips to help with your healthy weight gain.
I have a savoury tooth and like to use snacking in-between meals to help with weight gain as well as with maintaining the weight gain. And I have to say this has worked really well for me.
Having dips with bread, raw vegetables, tortilla chips, crispbread and crackers tastes so good and you’re loading up on nutrients and good calories at the same.
Additionally, these 3 dips also come from around the world (Ay , ay, ay) which means different ingredients and flavours. So buckle up because today we’ll be armchair travelling to Mexico, Greece and Italy.
Importantly guys, making these dips is so simple and you’ll know exactly what’s in them. They are also vegetarian friendly. So forget about getting this stuff from the supermarket.
1. Holy Guacamole
Guacamole has been around since the 16th century, from the time of the Aztecs. (true story!) How cool, right?
So traditional recipes for guacamole can include some or all of the following; avocado, garlic, salt, lime or lemon juice and jalapenos.
But nowadays for texture and added flavour, people add stuff like tomatoes, onions and cilantro.
Avocados are high in good fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Together with the other ingredients mentioned above, you have a nutrient powerhouse that is rich in calories.
In general, just 1 avocado contains upwards of 300 calories.
What to eat with guacamole? I thought you’d never ask!
Honestly I eat this on its own and even as a side to a meal. As a dip, slather it on your bread, tortilla chips, pita bread, rice cakes, breadsticks and with other veggies like celery, carrot, capsicum etc.
However one thing to remember about your guacamole dip is that avocado oxidises in air and will turn brown.
So if you’re making a batch of the stuff to use for later as well, take what you need and store the rest in a (very) airtight container in the fridge.
Your guacamole dip will depend on what you have at home. I suggest as the bare minimum to use avocado, garlic, cilantro, salt and lime/ lemon juice.
Guacamole
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 clove garlic,minced
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- 1/2 tspn sea salt
- 1/2 lime Or lemon
Instructions
- Cut open avocado, discard the pit and scoop out flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork.
- Add the minced garlic, chopped coriander and salt. (If using additional ingredients mentioned above like tomatoes or jalapenos, dice and add these to the avocado mixture).
- Squeeze in your lime or lemon juice and mix well.
2. Tzatziki
After that we’re heading over to Greece.
While tzatziki is most often associated with Greece, similar yogurt based dips have been common in the Middle East, some parts of Eastern Europe and India (hello cucumber raita).
This is another easy-to-make dip I am crazy about.
So exactly what are you getting in this dip?
Yogurt provides protein, calcium, vitamins and other minerals. Garlic offers anti-cancer properties, dill contains antioxidants, and olive oil supports heart health and is a source of good fats.
Well covered, this will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Finally, enjoy with cut up veggies, on bread or pita bread, on crackers among other snack options. Tzatziki also goes well on souvlaki or gyros, grilled meat dishes, as a salad dressing, on baked potatoes etc.
*Please note with all recipes, I’m referring to cooking measuring cup sizes, not just any ol’ kitchen cup.
Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 medium cucumber, grated
- 1 clove garlic,minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 1/2 tspn sea salt
Instructions
- Using your hands or a sieve, gently squeeze out as much of the liquid from the grated cucumber as you can. Place drained cucumber in a bowl.
- Add in the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, dill and salt and mix together till smooth. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes for the flavours to blend and develop.
- Taste and adjust for salt, lemon juice or more dill if needed.
3. Pesto
Last but not least, we are finishing off our armchair travel with a trip to Italy for their famous pesto.
Pesto is a green paste bursting with flavour and originally came from Genoa, Italy.
It’s been around for at least 150 years but possibly longer. In fact, the Romans ate a similar paste way back during the days of the Roman Empire.
Generally the customary ingredients for pesto are basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, salt and olive oil all blended together.
In terms of nutrients basil is high in vitamin K and is said to have antioxidants, garlic promotes heart health and has antibacterial properties, cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, and pine nuts are a great source of minerals, vitamins and good fats.
Realistically, this dip is a calorie bomb and honestly you don’t want to be having it very often. Also remember, an important part of healthy weight gain is exercising so don’t omit this from your journey.
And while it’s true you probably won’t get through all this in one sitting, remember pesto keeps very well in the fridge for 2-3 days. Or you can freeze it.
In Italy pesto was traditionally used for pasta but really you can do so much more with it. Use your pesto dip with flat breads, raw veggies or dollop onto roasted veggies, grilled meats or on eggs.
Pesto dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 large clove garlic,minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese,grated
- 1/4 tspn sea salt
Instructions
- Add pine nuts and basil leaves to a blender and blend together until finely chopped.
- To the mixture, add the garlic and cheese and blend again for 45 seconds. Then slowly pour in the olive oil to the mixture and continue blending to a smooth paste
- Pour out into a bowl. Taste for salt and add if needed.
Notes
And those are 3 amazing dips to help with your weight gain. Easy, breezy, lemon squeezy!
Do please try them all and let me know which your favourite is. Writing about this has made me hungry. I’m off to make myself a batch now.