Pumpkin! This is one of my favorite types of squash to consume, especially in the fall during the pumpkin spice latte season. I wouldn't ever consume the average PSL from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts but I would make my own. I also use pumpkin in smoothies or in pumpkin bread. But, big spoiler!-the pumpkin in the average canned pumpkin you buy (see left) is actually a mix of different types of squash and not entirely pumpkin!The many benefits of pumpkin include:
1. Fiber: In 1 cup of pumpkin seeds there is 12g of fiber and in 1 cup of pureed pumpkin there is 7 grams of fiber. Fiber helps keep you full which typically helps people not overeat thereby resulting in weight loss. Fiber also has the ability to help lower your cholesterol.
2. Tryptophan: Pumpkin has a good amount of this amino acid which helps many people sleep easier.
3. Magnesium: 1oz. of pumpkin has 30% of the daily recommended value that we need each day. Magnesium helps many different functions within our body happen such as the making of ATP, relaxation of nervous system, help with muscle growth, and regulating bowel movements.
4. Potassium: One cup of pumpkin has 564mg of potassium and bananas only have 422mg! Not that you shouldn't eat bananas but I thought it was an interesting fact that pumpkin has even more potassium. The important benefits of potassium include help with stress, muscle spasms, water balance and the nervous system. There are even more benefits than these few listed here but thought I would highlight the nutritional powerhouse that pumpkin is!
