The Pick of the Patch

Fall is in the air. Halloween is less than a month away, and you know what that means; Pumpkins. It's time to start carving and cooking right? When I mention pumpkins, what's the first thing to come to your mind? Is it pumpkin pie? What about pumpkin spiced lattes? Or do you super foods? Whole food nutrition? And healthy? Well believe it or not pumpkins are as healthy as they come.

Whats the story on Pumpkins?

Pumpkins are squash, but are they fruit or a vegetable? "A fruit is the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food." Pumpkins are edible, and if you've ever cut one open, you know it's full of seeds, so the pumpkin is definitely a fruit. But what makes pumpkins so special? Pumpkins are loaded antioxidants, immune boosting, disease-fighting vitamins. Here are 6 reasons why you should be eating pumpkin daily!

1. Pumpkin Can Help Boost Your Immunity

Pumpkins' bright orange color makes them rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pro vitamin which is converted into vitamin A. Vitamin A triggers the creation of white blood cells which help fight infection. Vitamin A is known for it's immune boosting benefits. That's not the only immune boosting vitamin pumpkin brings to the table; pumpkin contains almost 20 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C in just 1 cup, and we all know vitamin C can help with the common cold.

2. Pumpkin can Protect Your Skin

Pumpkin contains tons of vitamins which benefit the skin. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A which is an anti-aging nutrition which contributes to cell renewal. Vitamin C also encourages the production of collagen which helps the skin to maintain its beautiful glow and elasticity.

3. Pumpkin Improves Your Heart Health

Pumpkin is loaded with potassium, vitamin C and zinc which may help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Pumpkin is also high in phytosterols which can help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol).

4. Pumpkin Protects Your Eyes

Have I mentioned pumpkin is loaded with Vitamin A? Vitamin A helps to improve vision particularly in dim light. Vitamin A can also help in aiding with two common eye diseases: cataracts and macular degeneration.

5. Pumpkin Controls Weight Gain

Can you imagine a low calorie snack that makes you feel full? Pumpkin to the rescue. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, which helps to contribute to the feeling of fullness and in combination with being low in calories, it's a perfect diet friendly addition.

6. Pumpkin Seeds Can Boost Your Mood

Eating pumpkin will make you feel happier, and it's not just because your are happy your eating it. Pumpkin is actually rich with the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid helps out body produce serotonin, which is our feel good neurotransmitter. Make sure to use pumpkin seeds because they contain the most tryptophan.

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If you want to Incorporate pumpkin into your diet regularly, I recommend getting canned pumpkin. There should be only 1 ingredient in canned pumpkin, and that's pumpkin. The reason is there is more fiber in canned pumpkin than in fresh. You can add the canned pumpkin to smoothie, custards, muffins, chili, yogurt, soup, or oatmeal.

Cheerfully,

Serial Dieter 911