Pumpkin is very popular this time of year. While there are those who will simply carve and light one up to display their Halloween spirit, there are others who take advantage of this time to eat and drink numerous pumpkin delights. Everywhere you go there is Pumpkin Spice coffees, ice creams, pies, cookies, cakes, casseroles, donuts and some chocolate numbers that’ll knock your witchy stockings off.
Pumpkins do have some good points to them, but you have to be wary of the bad (and when I say bad I mean mostly calories) that come with these pumpkin treats.
The Good Pumpkin:
- Fiber? Check. Nice thing for dieters who want a full feeling.
- Zeaxanthin? Check. Hard to pronounce, but a boon for Boomers. What 50-something doesn’t want a weapon against age-related macular degeneration and impaired eyesight?
- Low in cholesterol and high in Vitamin A? Yes, the better for healthy skin and eyes — and an aid in fighting cancer.
- Heart-healthy phytosterols? They’re in pumpkin seeds.
- Magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, protein, zinc and iron? Cheeeeeck. Add them up, and you’ve got a cocktail for energy, growth and a top-notch immune system.
The Bad Pumpkin:
- Pumpkin snacks: Pumpkin candy — it might taste good, but you are still getting all of the sugar and calories you would with any other type of candy. Pumpkin seeds are good for making you feel full, but the fat won’t disappear if you roast and eat them.
- Pumpkin desserts: Try to get organic — at minimum read the label and find out how much pumpkin is actually in the dessert — or whether it is just flavoring…
- Pumpkin in coffee or for breakfast: Pumpkin lattes won’t have any fewer calories if they’re made with a full-fat milk or syrup – they will probably have more. Pumpkin donuts (Dunkin) still have loads of sugar…
- Pumpkin as a magic bullet. Look at the total calories: If you have diabetes make sure you look at both the sugar and total carbohydrates too. If you have cardiovascular disease look at the fat.
So, the moral of this tale is simply this – everything in moderation — AND — make sure you read the labels and know exactly what you are putting in your body.
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
