On top of being a tasty seasonal ingredient, pumpkin has notable health benefits. As a nutrient-dense food, pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Rich in fiber, pumpkin slows digestion, helps you feel full and has less than 50 calories per serving. So not only is it delicious, it can actually help you lose weight, too.
Loaded with beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, pumpkin also helps sharpen and maintain vision and can help boost your immunity. Meanwhile, beta-carotene helps protect you from wrinkle-causing UV rays, so you’ll stay younger-looking, too. However, beta-carotene isn’t just good for your skin and eyes — it can lower your cancer risk and may help treat type 2 diabetes as well.
Ready to add pumpkin to your diet? Then try these tasty, easy-to-make pumpkin-orange muffins.
Pumpkin-Orange Muffins*
Makes 2 dozen muffins
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
2 cups granulated cane sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin
4 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup orange juice
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 24 muffin tins with muffin cups. Combine first nine ingredients until moistened and lump-free. Fill muffin cups ¾ full.
Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!
*Recipe adaptation by Jennifer Olvera. Original recipe can be found here.
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