This time of year, right after Thanksgiving is the time to stock up on ye old pumpkin. Pumpkin has many health benefits and can add a great taste and texture to many dishes. Add it to your smoothie with cinnamon and a frozen banana for a delicious antioxidant rich breakfast. Add it to your chili to make it both sweet and savory. Stocking up now means you’ll have it on hand to add into various dishes to up its nutritional value.

What are the benefits of adding pumpkin, you may be wondering?

High in vitamins A + C.

One cup of pumpkin contains over 200% of the RDI of vitamin A, which is an important vitamin for eye health and night vision.
Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system and boosting collagen production.

It contains more potassium than a banana.

Pumpkin is high in potassium, a mineral necessary for muscle contraction, good digestion, water balance, and healthy blood pressure.

There’s over 500 milligrams of potassium in a cup of canned pumpkin—more than what you’d get in a large banana.

Pumpkin is high in fiber.

Pumpkin is high in fiber, with one cup containing about 7 grams.

Pumpkin is low in calories.

Pumpkin clocks in at under 50 calories per cup (245 grams) and consists of about 94% water.

Easy to use!

Pumpkin, once sliced and cut, can be easily roasted, puréed into soup or baked into pies. Its seeds are also edible and highly nutritious → great source of protein. The canned version (not the pumpkin pie filling) is great to stock up on and add into soups and baked goods.

Pumpkin Energy Balls

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of dry, uncooked oatmeal
½ cup nut butter of choice
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ cup mini dark chocolate chips

Directions:

In a medium bowl, add the oats, nut butter, pumpkin, chia seeds, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Stir with a spoon until well combined.

This is your BASE!

Stir in dark chocolate chips.

Notes:

You want the mixture to be soft but not too sticky. You should be able to roll the mixture in your hands with no issue (it’s okay if it feels a little sticky -- the oats will absorb some of the moisture!)
You can keep these energy balls in the fridge for up to a week, or pop them in the freezer.
Don’t have chia seeds? You can use chopped nuts or unsweetened coconut flakes.
The type of oats you use will determine the texture —> quick oats will make the balls softer, while old-fashioned oats will make them chewier. You can use half-and-half, too