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“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” Similarly, when the clock strikes midnight on September 22 (the first official day of fall), and a pumpkin flavored anything hasn’t reached your taste buds, is it even fall? In the all-pumpkin-everything craze of recent years, the question of “How soon is too soon to start incorporating pumpkin in everything I eat?” is on our minds. Personal preference (hint: it’s never too early) trumps all. And with that being said, let’s dive into the top 3 legitimate reasons other than festiveness of why pumpkin should be in your kitchen and in your diet.
Benefits of Pumpkin Spice
1. Nutritious and Delicious
Besides tasting really, really good, pumpkin is a slam dunk in terms of nutrition and health benefits. Perfect to implement in your nutritional plan.
- Pumpkin is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, minerals (calcium, potassium), and vitamins.
- It is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene.
- Research shows that foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, protect against asthma, and delay aging.
- Dietitians recommend pumpkin in weight reduction programs as well as for individuals looking to control cholesterol and improve blood pressure.
Pumpkin lovers, rejoice! The same pumpkin flavor that stole your heart is also making it healthier.
2. Versatile and Makes You Smile
It has been said that “your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.” This is especially true when we eat pumpkin. Turn that frown upside down and bask in the versatility of pumpkin this fall. Incorporating pure pumpkin as an ingredient or swap alternative is easy and effortless- especially while baking!
Did you know pumpkin puree can be a healthy alternative for butter, oil and eggs while baking? Consider incorporating these alternatives into your weight loss program.
Here’s how to execute the swap:
- Butter: Multiply the amount of butter by 3/4. If a recipe calls for one cup, use 3/4 cup puree in its place.
- Oil: The ratio is one to one- one cup oil is simply replaced with one cup pumpkin puree.
- Eggs: One egg is equivalent to 1/4 Cup pumpkin puree
3. Options, Options, and More Options
Are you looking for more taste variety as the season is changing? Perhaps you are taking it upon yourself to see just how many recipes you can infuse with pumpkin before the first day of winter hits? Have no fear- we’ve got you covered, pumpkin.
Try a few of our personal favorites:
Sit back, relax, marvel in those falling leaves, and enjoy the taste of improving your health one pumpkin-flavored bite at a time. Peppermint season will be here before you know it!
