Pumpkin Power!

October 30, 2013

What’s the first thing you think of when I say Fall?

Halloween season is here!  That means it's time to set out those autumn decorations, play some scary music, watch a horror movie, take in some haunted houses or corn mazes, and visit the pumpkin patch to find that perfect specimen for your jack-o-lantern.  And then of course, there's always my favorite part: Apple cider, Hayrides, Corn Mazes, Leaves changing color, and of course, pumpkins!

Let me start with one of my favorite fall vegetables… some call it a fruit.

Not only they are the delicious in mom`s Thanksgiving pies (they are the best), they also have a powerful nutrient punch! 

According to Trisha Gilerson, there are 5 Reasons to Eat Pumpkin:

1. Just 1 cup of pumpkin has 200% of your recommended Vitamin A along with carotenoids that covert into a form of Vitamin A. This aids in building a strong immune system important for the coming cold and flu season. Vitamin A is also vital for eye and bone health.

2. Pumpkins are high in anti-oxidants. Antioxidants help in decreasing inflammation (inflammation = bad). Sweet!

3. Pumpkins are fantastic for restoring electrolytes. One cup of pumpkin has 564 milligrams of potassium (vs. bananas puny 422 milligrams). Pumpkins obviously put the smack down on bananas. For a post-workout, don’t forget to load up on the pumpkin. (Bananas are also much higher in sugar with 14 grams to pumpkins 2 grams of sugar—that’s just an extra reason to eat pumpkins!)

4. It’s not just the flesh of the pumpkin that’s good for you. Pumpkin seeds (or as my husband calls them …pumpkin nuts) are powerhouse player too. Pumpkins seeds are a good source of zinc, protein, magnesium, potassium!

5. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in the amino acid tryptophan. *yawn* Yes, this is the same amino acid in turkey that makes you drowsy. This amino acid also helps to produce serotonin which helps keep us happy. Eat pumpkins. They’re happy food!

Pumpkin pies cooking in the kitchen are a comfort food to me. The aroma of pumpkin mix with cinnamon gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, and now I know it also gives me the vitamin A that my body needs…what t a great combination!

Happy Fall!