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It looks like the limiting amino acid for hummus is methionine.

Hummus is mostly chickpeas, but also includes sesame (tahini), which is fairly plentiful in methionine.

Does store-bought hummus typically have sufficient methionine to make an appropriate mix of amino acids? Or would it be better to add more sesame seeds?

Michael Altfield
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DavidC
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  • See also https://vegetarianism.stackexchange.com/questions/2369/does-any-combination-of-a-cereal-and-a-legume-provide-the-complete-range-of-amin/2672#2672 – Michael Altfield Apr 16 '23 at 14:39

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Yes. Protein requirements are so easy to satisfy that you don't need to worry about it.

Before I learned about the now-debunked myth of combining proteins from the 1950s, I did calculate the precise ratio of garbanzo beans to tahini to combine to unnecessarily maximize the absorption of all amino acids. I found that the ideal ratio was

1 tablespoon of tahini per 1 cup of cooked garbanzo beans

Source https://green.michaelaltfield.net/2014/10/20/complete-protein-ratios/

...which is roughly what's called-for in the average hummus recipe.

But if you're not looking to exceed your daily protein requirements (ie if you're not a body builder), then you can stop worrying about sourcing protein and just make sure to eat a variety of whole foods.

Michael Altfield
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  • Thanks. Not a body builder but I am trying to gain muscle and hopefully lose some fat at the same time, so I think this is relevant to me. – DavidC Apr 17 '23 at 09:10