Chips and an excellent dip can make any occasion cheery. You can have your favorite dips with less fat and calories, from the rich hummus and zesty pesto to cheesy vegetable bakes and spicy pepper dips.

You can dip your snack without having any guilt, courtesy of our list of healthy dips.

Guacamole

Guacamole is a fool-proof, authentic, and healthy dip. It’s creamy, fresh, and boasts only fresh and healthy ingredients!

To make some guac, rough chop some avocado before adding finely chopped onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Mix them well together, and you have a fancy Mexican dip.

Homemade guacamole makes an ideal party dip since it’s vegan and gluten-free. Just add the tortilla chips or crispy raw veggies for a lighter selection.

Salsa

Salsa is a type of sauce used as flavorings for tacos and other Mexican and Mexican-American snacks. They may be fresh or cooked, although usually served at room temperature.

It has Spanish variations, but you’ll commonly see it on Mexican tables. And you’ll know it’s salsa because of the chunky tomato, chili, pico de gallo, and salsa verde.

A nutritious salsa is an excellent source of vitamin C. Thus, it can support healthy aging and reduce the risk of heart disease. But to enjoy those benefits, it’s best to serve the salsa raw instead of thawed.

Hummus

Hummus is a famous Middle Eastern dip and spread. It is usually made by combining chickpeas, tahini (ground sesame seeds), lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic in a food processor.

It is tasty, as well as convenient and nutritious. It’s an excellent source of different vitamins and minerals, especially plant-based protein (7.9 grams per serving). No wonder is popular among people who are into the vegetarian diet or vegan lifestyle.

In addition, hummus is rich in iron, folate, phosphorus, and B vitamins.

Tzatziki

Tzatziki is always best served cold and commonly used as a sauce for gyros or souvlaki. Aside from Greek and Turkish cuisines, you can also pair this dip with pita for breakfast.

In Iraq, they have a version of Tzatziki called jajeek. It is usually served with alcohol as part of a meze.

Health-wise, tzatziki carries only 54 calories per 45-gram serving. It also has 8 grams of carbohydrates and a sufficient amount of sodium.

Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin dip is a typical family staple in the US from early September through Thanksgiving.

Usually served with apple slices, graham crackers, or ginger cookies, the pumpkin dip is considered healthier than caramel dip. Still, you will need vanilla pudding when making this dip, which is packed with sugar.

If you want a low-calorie, low fat, and low sugar option, you can use pumpkin puree and yogurt instead. Another option is to use Stevia or something similar instead of sugar.

Spinach Dip

A spinach dip may seem like a healthy, low-calorie choice. However, its ingredients carry a lot of calories.

A regular spinach dip is made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, and spinach. As such, it has 114 calories per 2-tablespoon serving.

Luckily, you can reduce the calories further by using low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, and cream cheese instead. Mix it with water chestnuts, shallots, and lemon juice, and you’ll only have 54 calories per serving.

To add some fiber to your spinach dip, you can mix in pureed cannellini beans, spinach, basil, artichoke hearts, and garlic. A 2-tablespoon serving of this dip only has 50 calories.

Final Thoughts

Dips and spreads make great condiments, snacks, and party food. However, they’re sometimes filled with high-calorie ingredients, salt, sugar, and extra additives.

Luckily, you don’t have to rely all the time on store-bought products. All you need is to use whole foods to create your varieties that are just as delicious but much more nutritious.