5 ways to incorporate pumpkin in your diet (and why you should!)
It’s fall which means fall flavors are HERE! While we’ll miss the season and flavors of summer, fall brings a whole new set of foods that we love. Bring on the comfort food, cinnamon and nutmeg, and couch time cuddled up with a hot cocoa.
There are tons of foods that are in season in the fall that aren’t in season in the summer. Some of our favorites include apple, cinnamon, carrots, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and bell pepper. Another one of our favorites – PUMPKIN! Pumpkin is one of our favorite foods this time of year for many reasons. The most obvious one may be that it’s extra tasty, but it’s also quite nutritious!
Nutritional value of pumpkin
Pumpkin is a type of winter squash. Technically since it contains seeds, it’s a fruit, but we’ll be calling it a vegetable here since that’s what its nutritional value is best compared to! Pumpkin is very nutritious and low in calories. It also contains protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Pumpkin seeds contain protein, fat, magnesium, and phosphorus.
The nutritional value of both pumpkin and pumpkin seeds gives them many health benefits. Firstly, since pumpkin has vitamin A, pumpkin can aid in immunity by restrengthening the immune system. This vitamin A also positively impacts eye health, preventing or protecting against macular degeneration. Skin health is another health benefit due to the vitamin C and E in pumpkin. Both vitamin C and E have antioxidant properties that can prevent diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Pumpkin has a variety of nutritional properties that make it nutritious and a healthy food to eat. Next, we’ll discuss 5 ways to incorporate pumpkin into your diet this fall.
Ways to incorporate pumpkin in your diet
Pumpkin is very versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Here are just some of the ways that you can try incorporating pumpkin into your routine at home.
- Soups – canned pumpkin combined with coconut milk (and other foods,) makes the best soup!
- Pumpkin muffins – a great baked goods for kids, picky eaters, or for anyone who likes fall flavors
- Sauces – pumpkin can make sauces thicker and more nutritious
- Salads – top your salad with pumpkin seeds for additional protein, fat, and fiber
- Smoothies – add pumpkin to your smoothies to make it thicker! By doing so, you’ll add more nutritional value
Pumpkin can and should be added (as long as you like the flavor and aren’t allergic,) to your routine this fall to reap the nutritional benefits! It’s packed with nutrition and can easily be incorporated to many dishes and cuisines.
Pure Plates offers pumpkin in many of our dishes including the following – give them a try in your next order!