Tag Archives: #pumpkin

What Are The Health Benefits of Pumpkins?

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Pumpkins are a favorite fall vegetable for many people and are used as an ingredient in many different foods, including everything from pastries to pancakes, soup, and even curry. While many of the foods and beverages people associate with pumpkins (such as pumpkin spice lattes, for example) don’t actually include pumpkin as an ingredient, the ones that do can offer several significant health benefits.

Eating pumpkin can be helpful when it comes to boosting your immune system, making it easier for your body to fight off disease. This boost comes from the amount of beta carotene contained in pumpkins; beta carotene is partially converted into vitamin A, which is important for strengthening your immunity.

Beta carotene is also helpful when it comes to your eye health, as it improves your retina’s ability to absorb light. Pumpkins also contain several other vitamins and minerals that help protect you against age-related macular degeneration, which causes blurriness and loss in the center of your field of vision. In addition to beta carotene, these vitamins and minerals include vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc.

Beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E are also antioxidants, which are beneficial for your skin health, with beta carotene particularly providing a boost to your skin’s protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun; these rays are one of the primary causes of skin cancer in many people.

If you’re considering incorporating more pumpkin into your diet to enjoy these health benefits, one thing to keep in mind is the difference between carving pumpkins (typically used for decorating) and pie pumpkins (typically used for cooking). Carving pumpkins are the larger variety with stringier insides and more water weight. Pie pumpkins are smaller and contain sweeter, richer insides, making them more flavorful and appropriate for usage as an ingredient in your fall dishes.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

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Skip the pricey lattes and try this lower calorie, heart healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Into a blender, add pumpkin, yogurt, milk, oats, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and ice cubes.
  2. Blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve.

Additional Tips

Cooking Tip: Keeping the can of pumpkin in the fridge before using isn’t necessary, but helps make a colder smoothie.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to buy 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling or mix, which looks similar but can have added sugar.

Tip: Plain nonfat Greek yogurt, which has more of a tangy taste as well as more protein, can be substituted for the light plain yogurt.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Warm up with healthy Thai Pumpkin Soup!

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Pumpkin is a delicious and healthy fall vegetable. Warm up with this Thai Pumpkin Soup recipe courtesy of Sur La Table.

Serves: Makes 8 cups

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 3 cups (720 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (160 g) chopped onion
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) coconut cream
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) coconut milk
  • 2½ cups (610 g) canned pumpkin
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green chilies
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

Procedures:

For an appetizing presentation, and an authentic dash of extra flavor, garnish this soup with chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts and sour cream.

Sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add tomato paste, pumpkin, ginger, garlic, broth, coconut cream and coconut milk. Combine until thoroughly heated through.

Place mixture into the Vitamix container. Add chilies and lemon juice and secure lid.

Select purée program.

Switch machine to start and allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.