Pumpkin flavored anything is popular this time of year. I have delighted in pumpkin spice lattes, spread pumpkin spice cream cheese on bagels, and ate my share of pumpkin muffins. My son’s favorite is when I make pumpkin roll. My daughter loves the simple pumpkin pie while my husband likes pumpkin soup. I think my youngest just enjoys painting faces on pumpkins. We all have our favorite way of enjoying pumpkin. However, the big question is; are pumpkins healthy? I suppose we can guess they have some health benefits as all natural foods have some health benefits. But just how healthy is our favorite fall treat for us?
Health benefits of pumpkins:
Source of Vitamin C
Source of Vitamin E
Source of Vitamin A
Beta-carotene which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and can help skin damage.
Source of Fiber
Potassium
Magnesium
Before you carve that pumpkin and discard the seeds you may want to consider the health benefits these seeds contain. Pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin E, magnesium and potassium. In addition, the seeds are a source of iron and omega 3 fatty acids and zinc.
Did you realize so much goodness was hiding in a pumpkin? In addition, adding pumpkin purée to cookies and cakes provides a fat free delicious element that is packed with vitamins and minerals.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Add a can or 16 ounces of fresh pumpkin to a cake mix and bake in a bundt pan for 55 minutes. You can use chocolate, spice cake, vanilla, or whichever flavor cake mix you feel would best suit you. You will cut out all the oil and eggs from the cake making it fat free.
Add a can or 16 ounces of fresh pumpkin to a brownie mix to make delicious low fat brownies. Another excellent two ingredient recipe!