During the fall season pumpkins are readily available at your local farmers market. We generally associate pumpkins with pumpkin pie during the holidays but there are many more recipes available to make with this heart healthy vegetable.
Pumpkins are bright orange for a reason. They are loaded with beta- carotene which can help to protect against heart disease. This vegetable is low in calories, low in fat, and high in potassium but provides a feeling of fullness due to its high fiber content. Pumpkin can even serve as a regulator for insulin and blood sugar, which can be beneficial for Diabetes patients. Another benefit to pumpkins is their seeds, which have an anti inflammatory effect and are loaded with minerals.
According to Jo-Ann Heslin, a registered dietitian and coauthor of The Healthy Wholefoods Counter, “Half a cup of pumpkin pie counts as a serving of vegetables, and if you make it without the crust, you can cut the calories too.”
When preparing for your holiday meals this year remember that pumpkin pie is not your only option. Here are some alternatives:
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Chili
- Pumpkin Stew
- Pumpkin Fudge
Check out our resources to find all of our recipes!
http://www.farmersmarketfoods.com/
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/pumpkin.htm
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook.htm#recipe
This guest blog was written by Marywood University nutrition students Linda Valvano, Amanda Karosus, Arica Fratarcangeli.
