Pumpkin: A Powerfood You Need to Start Eating Today

It is that time of year where we are faced with lots of pumpkins, but generally as sweet desserts. However, pumpkins are actually packed with an incredible amount of nutrition. Here we will examine this powerfood and talk about why you need to make it a permanent staple in your diet today.

Pumpkin the Powerfood

Pumpkin is low in calories. Of course, pumpkin pie is generally not, but there are many other ways to prepare pumpkin. This bright orange food also contains dietary fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, iron, potassium, selenium, niacin and vitamin A.

Pumpkins and Your Health

So, now you know about the nutrition packed into pumpkins, but there are other health benefits in addition to this. First, pumpkins are swimming in antioxidants. The beta-carotene that makes a pumpkin orange plays a role, and pumpkins also are rich in other carotenoids and alpha-carotene.

Are you worried about aging? Pumpkins can help. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants that help decrease the signs of aging. Pumpkins also have alpha hydroxy acids and zinc that help to decrease these signs as well.

If inflammation if a problem - or even just a concern - pumpkins are your friend. This powerfood has a large amount of Omega 3 essential fatty acids in alpha-linolenic acid form.

Healthy Ways to Get Pumpkin Into Your Diet

First, pumpkin soup. This is by far one of my favorite dishes. All you need is fresh pumpkin, onion, fresh ginger and other spices to taste. You can choose whichever other spices you want to add. I personally like to add cinnamon among others. I also sometimes pour this soup over brown rice when I want a heartier dish and brown rice has its own host of health benefits. On the topic of soup, if you make your own homemade vegetable soup, add some pumpkin to it in addition to your other veggies.

Add pumpkin to pastas. Anything that you would add zucchini or squash to, you can also add some pumpkin too. They are in the same family after all. A shrimp, garlic pasta with olive oil, pumpkin, squash and zucchini is pretty much to die for, though the health benefits will likely extend your life.

These are just a few food ideas to get you started. Once you start adding pumpkin to your diet, you will find that pumpkin can be added to nearly anything.

Resources

University of Illinois Extension: Pumpkin Nutrition