When we think of Fall…we think of pumpkin spice season, from cookies to coffee and everything in between. A lot of the pumpkin pre-made snacks and products at the grocery store can be extremely high in sugar and calories. Pumpkin itself is very healthy and nutrient dense, it contains multiple vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. If you’re not a fan of the pumpkin flavor, pumpkin seeds are also extremely nutritious. They also provide magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc along with some good fat, which can help you feel fuller longer. It can be a big plus if you're looking to manage your weight.
I wanted to share some healthy ways to use pumpkin this season to get the most out of this essential Fall flavor!
-You can replace some of the cheese in any macaroni and cheese recipe with pumpkin puree to cut down on fat while adding flavor.
-Replace breadcrumbs with pumpkin seeds on your go-to salad. You’ll still get the crunch but with added health benefits.
-Skip the pumpkin spice latte and make a pumpkin smoothie. Ingredients below:
- Almond milk
- Banana,
- Pumpkin
- Vanilla protein powder
- Pumpkin pie spice, which is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice.
-Add a spoonful of canned pumpkin, a dash of cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup to your regular oatmeal or overnight oats recipe for a sweet breakfast.
-Mix pumpkin puree and cottage cheese to make a creamy, protein-packed snack.
-For a healthy dessert, make a yogurt parfait by layering pumpkin and high-protein Greek yogurt, then sprinkling pumpkin pie spice and fruit on top.
XO
Joie