We all go pumpkin crazy sometime during the month of September. Every. Single. Year. I will be the first to admit, I get the pumpkin fever very early in the season. Every. Single. Year. The list of nutritional benefits of pumpkin goes on + on. But is that why we are pumpkin crazy? Ummmmm ….. nope. We are crazed because we take a squash and transform it into so many scrumptious creations, that is why! There are a lot of healthy things that happen to your body when you eat pumpkin, and they are actually awesome!
Did You Know?
Pumpkin is the star in so many dessert recipes, but did you know that this round orange wonder can help us fight disease, lose weight, and decrease inflammation? When we add pumpkin to our foods, the nutrition level gets kicked up a notch. So does the texture, moisture, creaminess, and above all the flavor 🧡! How does our body react when you eat pumpkin ? Read on to find out!
What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Pumpkin:
- Feel fuller (thank you fiber!)
- Avoid the sugar high + low roller coaster (high in fiber + low in carbs + a low Glycemic Load of 3!)
- Your body thanks you for the low saturated fat content (barely any naturally occurring fat in pumpkin but be wary of canned versions for pie)
- Longevity! Yep, live longer by eating pumpkin!!! (vitamins + minerals + antioxidants help fight off free radicals)
- Immune System gets a boost (thank you vitamins A, E, C and beta-carotene)
- It is easier for you to ward off diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancers, and arthritis (hooray for those antioxidants)
- Prevent (or treat) constipation (fiber + fiber + more fiber: 3 grams in one cup)
- Protect your eye health (the orange color means high levels of beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A – great for maintaining good vision)
- Lower blood pressure (contains 16% of the recommend daily intake of potassium, that’s a lot!!!)
- Decrease iron deficiency (as a plant source of iron coupled with pumpkin’s high vitamin C content, the iron in pumpkin gets absorbed better, bonus!)
- Skin elasticity is improved (ok I love this one! Anything to ward off wrinkles … thank you vitamin A + E + C 👍)
My Favorite Ways To Eat Pumpkin 🧡
(click on any title to see the full recipe)
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin For Breakfast:
- Pumpkin Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Chia Seed Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Lunch + Dinner Ideas:
- Pumpkin Black Bean Tacos
- Homemade Pumpkin Veggie Burgers
- Easy Vegan Pumpkin Chili
- Oil-Free Pumpkin Vinaigrette
- Vegan Thanksgiving Salad
Pumpkin Snacks:
Pumpkin Dessert Recipes:
- Baked Vegan Pumpkin Donuts
- Pumpkin Spice Nice Cream
- Healthy Pumpkin Cookies (GF + Vegan + Refined Sugar Free)
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Banana Muffins
So, what really happens to your body when you eat pumpkin? Lots of wonderful things! I LOVE fighting disease, protecting my eyesight, slowing down wrinkles, and lowering my blood pressure all by eating an orange colored squash 🧡! What I love even more is that pumpkin is so versatile it can be tossed in tacos, breakfast bowls, and healthy dessert recipes! So go get yourself a pumpkin and get cookin’, pumpkin’!
All the best,
Tara 🧡🍂🍁
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