Fresh fruits and vegetables will always provide you with the most nutrients and natural enzymes that the body can use more readily. Pumpkin and its seeds provide many important nutrients, on top of loads of fun for family and friends.
ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee, DC offers the following nutritional benefits of pumpkin and its seeds.
Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkins:
1. Vitamins: Pumpkin and its seeds contain nutrients such as vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, both beta & alpha carotenoids (anti-oxidants which help prevent cell damage), and lutein (support healthy eyes).
2. Organ Health: The nutrients in pumpkin and its seeds help support the health of your kidney, bladder and prostate.
3. Sickness Prevention: Helps with minimizing osteoporosis, increases digestive health by helping with parasites & tapeworms, and lowering cholesterol.
4. Protein: Pumpkin seeds are high in protein.
5. General Benefits: Pumpkin seeds help the body get rid of parasites and other unwelcomed digestive inhabitants, and they contain healthy essential fatty acid oils.
6. Important Fact: Organic, raw pumpkin seeds will provide you with the most nutrients and enzymes.
Easy ways to incorporate pumpkin into your diet:
1. A handful of raw pumpkin seeds as a snack or mixed with trail mix, on top of cereal
2. Pumpkin seed butter spread on toast
3. Pumpkin pie/desserts/pancakes/waffles
4. Pumpkin baked or browned with spices in risotto, chili, rice, spaghetti
About ChicagoHealers.com: Chicago Healers is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.chicagohealers.com.
I need to find more ways to eat pumpkin!
I love pumpkin. Can’t get enough of it this time of year. In fact, I just made some pumpkin bread using organic pumpkin.
i never try pumpkin pie which is i really like it…..
Oh I love a good ol’ homemade pumpkin soup so this is good to hear.
I have had pumpkin soup which is delicious. You can substitute it for squash in a squash soup recipe too.
I had no idea, thanks for sharing!
Awesome post! Makes me think all my things I am cooking pumpkin lately might be be nutritious too!
Pumpkin is sooooooo yummy and good for you. It’s like the perfect food!
Yes that’s right..pumpkin is one of my favourite ingredients when i cook and my son is loving it too. And it is an inexpensive food. Perhaps you can share some of the recipes. Thanks!
I so did not know that there was so many benefits to pumpkins! I guess I should eat more of it… tis the season!