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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Pumpkins have long been a symbol of the fall season. Whether it be pumpkin décor, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin candles, or the traditional pumpkin pie, we all enjoy this bright orange squash in some way or another. Besides just simply looking cute or tasting amazing when made into a pie, pumpkins actually boast some pretty significant health benefits.

According to Registered dietician Julia Zumpano, the health benefits of pumpkin are so great, that she recommends not just limiting our consumption of pumpkin to the fall months. Here are some of the ways in which pumpkin contributes to our health.

• Good for your eyes
• Promotes heart health
• Boosts immune system
• High in carotenoids which may help fight cancer
• Increases satiety

While pumpkins may be super nutritious, incorporating them into your diet by only eating pumpkin pie is unfortunately not a good way to increase your consumption of pumpkin. So, here are some other ways to include pumpkin into your foods.

• Roast it
• Use puree in soups or sauces
• Mix it into baked goods
• Stir it into yogurt or oatmeal
• Use it in a smoothie
• Roast the seeds and use as a salad or oatmeal topping

Pumpkin is a very versatile squash, that can be used in both savory recipes or sweet ones! Regardless of how you use it, pumpkin packs a nutritional punch that we should take advantage of!

For pumpkin recipe ideas, check out the recipes page on Fill Your Plate!