CLEVELAND, OH (CLEVELAND CLINIC) - Pumpkins are fun at Halloween, but did you know they're good for you too?
Registered dietitians say pumpkin is a super food that is low-fat, low-calorie, and packed with plenty of nutrients. Pumpkin is rich in potassium, which research suggests may help decrease blood pressure. In addition, pumpkin contains antioxidants, like vitamin C, which help promote healthy skin. So, how do you carve out ways to add more pumpkin to your diet? They recommend using canned pumpkin in breads, pancakes, or your favorite sauce. You can even puree pumpkin into hummus or grill it up as a side dish. And don't forget to use the seeds.
"Using the whole pumpkin. Don't just focus on the flesh itself but really looking at the seeds as well. They're gonna have extra protein in them. They're gonna have potassium. They're gonna have those extra vitamins just like the actual flesh itself. And what a great way to get extra fiber and how fun. Put in hot cereals, just have it as a snack itself," suggested Beth Czerwony, a registered dietician at Cleveland Clinic.
Czerwony says pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and vitamin E both nutrients have been shown to be beneficial for people with diabetes.
