Pumpkin: Think Outside the Pie

Last week here on the blog, we featured the health benefits of some of the best produce that Autumn has to offer. If you missed it, check it-->Fit Fall Foods.

It's one thing to know what's good for you, and something completely different to know how to use these foods in a way that will promote greater health. When we hear the the word "pumpkin", most of us immediately jump to "pie" as the word association of choice. It's that kind of thinking that leads to messed up diets and delayed goals during the holiday season. When we think of fall foods then, we need to get creative.

So, pumpkin. The cans of pumpkin puree are all over shelves this time of year. (So are real pumpkins. If you have time for cutting up, cooking and preparing pumpkin, power to you. I don't, and bet that most people would rather not) Because the pumpkin is already pureed and ready to use, you are in business. So what do we do with it? Honestly, anything.

First off though, make sure you have the right can. Pumpkin puree is just pumpkin that has been pureed. Nothing fancy, nothing added. You do not want pumpkin pie filling, as that will add unwanted and unnecessary calories and sugar. The back of the can should literally only list pumpkin under the ingredients. Like so:

Some ideas for that can of pumpkin? Throw a few tablespoons in your morning protein shake. Stir up the pumpkin puree with some "pumpkin pie seasoning" and put it on toast. Spread it on a tortilla before adding veggies, meats and cheese for an easy twist on tacos or quesadillas.

You can use it to make soups, like this one, Easy Pumpkin Soup or add some of the puree to tomato sauce for spaghetti, lasagna, or to top off some spaghetti squash, (which is doing double time on fall produce, pumpkin and squash!)

So maybe these are great ideas... or perhaps you still have pie on the brain. Well, here's an amazing recipe for PROTEIN pumpkin pie. Coming in at just 69 calories and 9.5 grams of protein per slice, it's pie you can feel good about. Protein Pumpkin Pie

However you choose to use your pumpkin, a little creativity and preparation can make this traditional fall favorite just a little more interesting.