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PROVO — This time of year brings cooler temperatures, colorful leaves and pumpkins. But did you know the popular gourd is not only the traditional fall decoration, but a superfood as well?
"Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant," said Mindy Probst, a registered dietitian at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
Antioxidants help reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent certain cancers. It's great for the immune system and packed with potassium to deliver added energy.
Loaded with nutritional benefits the color itself says it's rich in vitamin A, which helps boost vision, keeping eyesight sharp.
Another pumpkin perk, it's high in fiber, which can help maintain a healthy weight. "Fiber does help you feel full faster, keep you feeling full longer," Probst said.
Looking for a little pick-me-up? A handful of pumpkin seeds can improve your mood, making it a perfect on-the-go snack.
If thoughts of pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies don't make your mouth water, branch out and try something different. Roasting it in the oven and adding a little salt and pepper, or add it do a salad or sneak it into a smoothie.
"You could make a yogurt parfait and layer some low-fat vanilla yogurt with some pumpkin puree," she said.
When it comes to baking, Probst said pumpkin is a great substitution for almost anything.
"A lot of times you can use pumpkin to replace all or part of the oil or the butter, or whatever type of fat you would be using," she said.
So next time you find yourself in a pumpkin patch, you might want to pick up a few extra. You might be surprised by how versatile they really are. Jenniffer is a Special Projects Producer who heads up the Your Life Your Health, Zero Fatalities and High 5 initiatives. For questions, feedback or possible story ideas, please email jmichaelson@ksl.com.
