When fall rolls around, I’m in heaven because I adore anything with pumpkin in it – pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin seeds, and especially pumpkin ice cream (perhaps not the healthiest version of it, but oh so good). I simply can’t get enough of pumpkin. And the good news is that pumpkin is chock full of vitamins and minerals to help keep us healthy.A member of the gourd family, most of us associate it with Halloween and carving jack o’ lanterns, but not always with eating them. Low in calories and fat and full of fiber, pumpkin boasts Vitamins C & E, potassium and magnesium, among other nutrients. In addition, pumpkin has ample amounts of alpha- and beta-carotene which helps reduce the risk of cancer and boosts our immune system.

If you don’t have time to peel and cut a pumpkin, here are a few easy tips:

–  Use canned pumpkin but look for pure pumpkin, not pumpkin puree (usually loaded with sugar).
–  Can’t find fresh pumpkin? Try substituting butternut squash, orange bell peppers or sweet potatoes instead. All are      chock full of many of the same nutrients.
–  In a mood for a healthy snack? Grab a handful of raw pumpkin seeds and eat them by themselves, or add to your favorite soup or salad for an added burst of flavor.

Filed under: Cancer, Fall, Fiber, Immunity, Prevention, Snacking, Vegetables, Vitamins and Minerals