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Time for Pumpkin Seeds
A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Waistline
Jack o’lanterns and Halloween mean more to me than most people, I think. Sure, it might begin with a fun family outing to a farm and then it gets messy…scooping out the pumpkin guts to carve your favorite face and festivize your home. Inside that stringy, orange, gooey mess are a delightful, seasonal, nutritious snack.
Pumpkin seeds are the little green seeds found within the white shell and boy, do these guys pack a punch! You’ll probably see them year-round in grocery stores or on restaurant menus, called Pepitas in Spanish and pumpkin seeds in English, derived from the phrase “little seeds of squash.” These tiny seeds are a great addition to your repertoire, especially this time of year.
Nutrients in Pumpkin Seeds
You may be surprised to know what just 1oz of pumpkin seeds can do for your body and health. With 151 calories, mostly from fat and protein, pepitas carry crucial vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin E, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper. They also offer antioxidant properties plus a decent amount of polyunsaturated fat, potassium, B2, riboflavin, and folate. Regarding macronutrients, that ounce gives us 7g of protein, 13g of fat, 5g of carbs including 1.7g of fiber. With this macronutrient profile plus the micronutrients mentioned…
