Is pumpkin good for weight loss? :
Pumpkin, a festive gourd, is filled with innumerable health benefits. These are a great source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Thiamin and vitamin C besides the other nutrients. As pumpkins grown in the ground, they are enriched with minerals like potassium and iron. Every part of the pumpkin, be it the seeds or the yellow flesh, has nutritional value. The seeds are a source of Omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. These can be consumed as snacks after they are oven-roasted. The inner flesh has antioxidants and dietary fiber besides the minerals and vitamins.
Weight loss and Pumpkin:
Including low calorie foods in your diet is essential when you are following a weight loss regime. Burning more calories than what is consumed is the secret of the required weight loss.
*Low Calorie Food:
Pumpkin is low in calories as this has only 26 calories for every 100 grams. Depending on the recipe of the pumpkin, there is a probability of packing more nutrition in your meal as compared to the calories when you consume pumpkin.
* Food for Post Work-out:
As pumpkin contains a whole lot of potassium, this helps in recovery of the muscles post work-out. With every 100 grams of pumpkin consumed you get almost 340 mg of potassium. This can be termed as a ‘gym’ food.
* Fiber Rich:
For every 100 grams of pumpkin you get almost 0.5gm of fiber. This means, a cup of pumpkin consumed can offer almost 3 gm of fiber. This is definitely considered important for the good digestion. As pumpkin keeps you full for a longer period of time you are spared of the hunger pangs which lead to unnecessary snacking.
*Fights Stress:
With the presence of tryptophan, which is a natural booster of mood, you feel more relaxed and free of any kind of stress. This adds to the weight loss program as you are more inclined to follow the fitness regime on a regular basis.
*Immunity Booster:
Pumpkin is considered as immunity booster due to the presence of beta carotene and Vitamin C.
* Elimination of cancer:
The risks of specific types of cancer can be eliminated with the consumption of pumpkin due to the presence of lignans present in the seeds of pumpkin. Prostrate, colon, lung, breast and stomach cancers can be avoided by eating this vegetable.
*Magnesium present:
Magnesium is rare in the diet, specifically in the western Countries. This is a requirement for reducing the risk of heart diseases, controlling of the blood pressure, regulation of the levels of blood sugar and maintaining and forming healthy bones. Pumpkin seeds are considered as one of the best sources of this mineral.
Choosing Pumpkin:
There are multiple ways you can consume pumpkin. You can have this is a soup or bake it. You can even cook this in a curry.
Choose pumpkins which are smaller in size as these are fleshier and denser and contain less of moisture. The pumpkin chosen needs to have a uniform color sans any green spots. You also need to ensure there are no soft spots in the pumpkin as this is an indication of mold.
