Health Benefits of Pumpkin

So I've already posted a couple recipes using pumpkin, and this time of year pumpkin desserts and foods are quite common. They sure do taste good, but what's even better is that pumpkin has some health benefits to go along with the great taste! However, it doesn't make it okay to eat that second piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving...just do you know :)

 

Canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, is full of vitamins and minerals, meets a vegetable requirement and, as an antioxidant-rich vegetable, offers other health benefits.
- Nutrient-Rich: Canned pumpkin is a nutrient-rich food. It is low in calories and fat, and relatively high in fiber. It is a good source of Vitamin A, like other orange vegetables, and also contains two trace minerals, iron and manganese.
- Protects the Heart: Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor responsible for its deep orange color. Beta-carotene offers powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it's beneficial for heart health.

- Vegetable Serving: Because of hour nutrient dense it is, with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, it definitely counts as a serving of vegetable. But! Beware of eating it with tons of sugar...it can cancel out all the goodness!