Is Eating Pumpkin Actually Healthy?
Poor pumpkin. Every Halloween the squash goes through the wringer. People leave pumpkins out in the cold on stoops and porches in the name of decoration.
As if that fate weren't unkind enough, the pumpkins are later smashed by masked bands of pre-teen rapscallions. Or, and perhaps worse yet for the pumpkin, its taken inside and put through a lobotomy.
It’s time that we all start treating pumpkins with a little more reverence. Like other types of squash, pumpkins are excellent sources of a variety of nutrients. (But you don’t see people going around and smashing zucchinis, do you?)
So let’s learn about the nutritional superpowers of pumpkin, along with how to eat it best.
Why Is Pumpkin a Superfood?
Well, first, let’s not bandy about that word, “superfood.” When we’re talking about fruits and vegetables (including squash), they’re all pretty super.
But pumpkin, specifically, is rich in vision-protecting vitamin A, cell-assisting vitamin C, disease-fighting vitamin E, and potassium, a nutrient that can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure.
From a macro perspective, 1 cup of cubed pumpkin contains 1 gram of protein, 7 grams of carbohydrates (1 gram of which is fiber), and trace amounts of fat—all for 30 calories.
The short of it: Pumpkin is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie food that makes for a easy side dish.
Is Canned Pumpkin Just as Healthy as Fresh Pumpkin?
Careful here. Canned pumpkin, or worse yet, canned “pumpkin pie mix” can often have a good dose of added sugar. While fresh pumpkin does contain natural sugars, canned pumpkin packs way more of the sweet stuff—about 8 grams per cup.
Is Pumpkin Good for Your Stomach?
Pumpkin seeds are great for your stomach. Just one ounce of the seeds have 5 grams of fiber for 126 calories. Fiber helps you fill up and stay full, so, yes, snack away.
Poor pumpkin. Every Halloween the squash goes through the wringer. People leave pumpkins out in the cold on stoops and porches in the name of decoration.
As if that fate weren't unkind enough, the pumpkins are later smashed by masked bands of pre-teen rapscallions. Or, and perhaps worse yet for the pumpkin, its taken inside and put through a lobotomy.
It’s time that we all start treating pumpkins with a little more reverence. Like other types of squash, pumpkins are excellent sources of a variety of nutrients. (But you don’t see people going around and smashing zucchinis, do you?)
So let’s learn about the nutritional superpowers of pumpkin, along with how to eat it best.
Why Is Pumpkin a Superfood?
Well, first, let’s not bandy about that word, “superfood.” When we’re talking about fruits and vegetables (including squash), they’re all pretty super.
But pumpkin, specifically, is rich in vision-protecting vitamin A, cell-assisting vitamin C, disease-fighting vitamin E, and potassium, a nutrient that can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure.
From a macro perspective, 1 cup of cubed pumpkin contains 1 gram of protein, 7 grams of carbohydrates (1 gram of which is fiber), and trace amounts of fat—all for 30 calories.
The short of it: Pumpkin is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie food that makes for a easy side dish.
Is Canned Pumpkin Just as Healthy as Fresh Pumpkin?
Careful here. Canned pumpkin, or worse yet, canned “pumpkin pie mix” can often have a good dose of added sugar. While fresh pumpkin does contain natural sugars, canned pumpkin packs way more of the sweet stuff—about 8 grams per cup.
Is Pumpkin Good for Your Stomach?
Pumpkin seeds are great for your stomach. Just one ounce of the seeds have 5 grams of fiber for 126 calories. Fiber helps you fill up and stay full, so, yes, snack away.
