The Power of Pumpkin!
November 15, 2013
By Kristen Tice, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
November 15, 2013
I absolutely love the fall and pumpkins are a true symbol of the fall season. Aside from pumpkins just looking pretty, they’re pretty healthy too!
- Easy on the waistline! One cup cubed pumpkin is only 30 calories, 8 g carbohydrates and 0.6 g filling fiber!
- Rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins:
- Vitamin C- a natural immune booster and
- Vitamin E- keeps those nails and hair looking great!
- Vitamin A (a.k.a. beta-carotene)- 246% the RDA!
- Rich in zea-xanthin, a natural anti-oxidant that naturally filters UV rays in the macula lutea in the retina of the eyes…you’ll never get cataracts with this vegetable!
- B-complex vitamins, which help to facilitate the transformation of food consumed into usable energy.
- Rich in copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus- all necessary minerals
Now you have a great plan for all those pumpkins sitting on your porch…eat them! Aside from pumpkin pie, there are many things you can do with a pumpkin, like my Stuffed Pumpkin recipe…a fall tradition in my house!
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