Healthy living starts with eating good-for-you foods. Remember the old saying, “you are what you eat”?! There’s truth to that statement. The Mediterranean diet has long been heralded by nutrition experts as one of the world’s healthiest diets (in addition to being flavorful and delicious).

One of my favorite Mediterranean-inspired recipes that acts an easy-to-make and satisfying snack is what I call ‘Healthy Hummus’, perfect for those late afternoons when you need a little something to nosh on, but don’t want to spoil your appetite for dinner.

In a small bowl, thoroughly mix two tablespoons of creamy hummus with two tablespoons of Navitas Flax Powder, and a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts. Instead of eating the hummus with traditional pita chips, try Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips (which you can get at Trader Joe’s markets) instead.

Here’s why this simple snack is so great for you.

HUMMUS: “Hummus is a spread or dip that’s made with a base of chickpeas and some olive oil. Beans such as chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber, which can help you keep cholesterol levels low and promote better heart health. Fiber-rich chickpeas also help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels, making hummus a particularly diabetes-friendly snack as well.” [Source: Livestrong.com]

FLAX: “Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its primary healthy reputation to three of them, including Omega-3 essential fatty acids (which are “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects), Lignans (which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities), and Fiber.” [Source: WebMD.com]

PINE NUTS: “The best thing about pine nuts is their high concentration of monounsaturated fat, which paves the way for a healthier cardiovascular system. The vitamin D in pine nuts leads to stronger bones and teeth, by improving the body’s ability to absorb calcium, and vitamins A and C may sharpen vision and boost the immune system.” [Source: AskMen.com]