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Yes, your Jack o Lantern is a Superfood!

 

You probably only think about pumpkins at Thanksgiving and Halloween, but did you know that pumpkins offer much more than just the symbol of autumn holidays? That Jack o Lantern is a superfood!

Most people think of pumpkins as vegetables, but they are actually fruits and belong to the gourd family.

I love to carve pumpkins. Every year it’s like my own personal competition with myself. One year I even bought funny looking squash and gourds and adorned my carved pumpkin with legs and a tail. Ya, okay I am a fifty year old kid at heart.

Most people throw out the pumpkin pulp and seeds and to me it seems like such a waste, but did you know that pumpkin is a superfood?

Be sure to dry roast your pumpkin seeds this year. Check out how to roast Jack o Lantern seeds here.

7 reasons to eat your leftover carved pumpkin

1)      Pumpkin contains the anti oxidant beta- carotene which may play a role in cancer prevention

2)      Pumpkin contains vitamin A and C which helps with eye health and your immune system

3)      Pumpkin is a great source of fibre and keeps you regular and feeling full longer on fewer calories

4)      Both pulp and seeds are a great source of magnesium which aids in muscle repair

5)      High in potassium and zinc which protects you against cardiovascular disease

6)      Pumpkin seeds contains L tryptophan the feel good chemical which aids in depression

7)      Pumpkin seeds contain plant- based chemicals called phytosterols that have been shown to lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol

 

Check out my website for my pumpkin muffins recipe

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2 responses to “Save your carved Jack o Lantern- its a Superfood!

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Shirley Plant

About Shirley

I'm Shirley Plant, nutritionist and cookbook author. My passion is helping you figure out which foods fuel your body and which ones deplete it.

Appearances By Shirley

  • CTV News
  • Rogers TV
  • FoodNetwork.ca
  • The Eat Real Food Health Summit
  • Menopause Wellness Summit
  • The Parenting TeleSummit

Appearances By Shirley

  • CTV News
  • Rogers TV
  • FoodNetwork.ca
  • The Eat Real Food Health Summit
  • Menopause Wellness Summit
  • The Parenting TeleSummit

Shirley's Cookbooks

Finally... Food I Can Eat!

Finally... Food I Can Eat!

A dietary guide and cookbook featuring tasty non vegetarian and vegetarian recipes for people with food allergies and intolerances. Recipes free of gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, wheat, nightshades, sugar and yeast.

Finally... Paleo Food I Can Eat!

Finally... Paleo Food I Can Eat!

Paleo recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert. Recipes free of grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, eggs and almonds. Plus, chapters on the mind body connection by Dr. Eva Selhub M.D and healing your body from chronic illness with Dr. Terry Wahls. M.D.

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