Pumpkins: The Ultimate Halloween Superfood!

It’s almost that time of year again! Halloween is fast approaching, and most of us are ready to pick up the biggest pumpkin we can find for holiday decor and jack-o-lantern madness.

Although pumpkins are considered holiday foods, they are actually considered superfoods full of dense nutrition. Dr. Steven Pratt who wrote the book: SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, says pumpkins are packed full of fiber; they are very low in calories; and they contain a variety of nutrients which fight disease.

Why Makes Pumpkins A Superfood?

Pumpkins are classified as a superfood because of carotenoids which are very strong antioxidants. Carotenoids are so powerful, that they have the ability to reduce the risk and prevent many types of cancer and also heart disease. They have also been shown to ward off the development of degenerative eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.

Pumpkins are just one of the many superfoods mentioned in Dr. Pratt’s book. Although it is a seasonal food, you can also buy canned pumpkins year round, so you can get the powerful carotenoid antioxidants year round!

There are many different ways to add pumpkins to our diets everyday. Try these delicious pumpkin recipes. What better way to serve breakfast on Halloween or Thanksgiving morning then with these pumpkin pancakes!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of buttermilk
2 1/4 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup of pumpkin

Measure the 2 1/2 cups of flour into a mixing bowl and then add the other dry ingredients. Next, mix and stir a cup of buttermilk and add the pumpkin. Cook on a hot griddle until your pancakes are golden brown and enjoy!

Next, for a mid-day snack or after dinner treat, you can make some pumpkin spiced muffins and enjoy with a nice cup of pumpkin flavored coffee!

Pumpkin Spiced Muffins

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Get a large bowl and cream the butter with the cup of brown sugar. Next, beat in the eggs and add 1/4 cup milk and 1 cup of the pumpkin. Get another smaller bowl and combine all of the spices, baking powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Now add this to the creamed pumpkin mixture and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Enjoy your Halloween this year with some pumpkin superfoods and don’t let your Halloween pumpkins go to waste! Also check out Dr. Pratt’s book to learn about the other superfoods that will change your life. Click here for SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life

Filed under: Superfoods

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