We are officially in the season of pumpkin-spiced everything. According to Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert for TOPS, Dena McDowell, these foods have one thing in common…and it has nothing to do with actual pumpkin. Most of these treats are loaded with sugar and calories and lack the nutrients of real pumpkin. A small pumpkin latte, for example, has nearly 40 grams of sugar! According to Dena, real pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, potassium and antioxidants. To help you reap the nutritional benefits of this natural superfood, Dena shares the following tips for adding pumpkin to your diet.
- Boost your fiber for the day by adding pumpkin puree to yogurt.
- Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Add cooked pumpkin to homemade muffins or cookies. Using pumpkin puree can substitute for oil or butter and will produce a moist and light final product.
- Enjoy a hearty soup or stew made with pumpkin.
- Don’t forget about the seeds! Lightly coat pumpkin seeds with olive oil and seasonings of your choice and bake. Enjoy this crunchy snack mixed with dried fruit.
If pumpkin-spiced treats are one of your favorite parts of fall, it’s perfectly okay to indulge every once in a while. Just remember that, sometimes, you can’t beat the real thing.
Copyright 2017 TOPS Club Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Copyright 2018 TOPS Club Inc. Reprinted with permission. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) makes it easy to reach our healthy lifestyle goals. Real People. Real weight loss.® Special pricing for employees of The Arc WC. To learn more about nonprofit, proven-effective healthy lifestyle and weight-loss support, visit our TOPS page.