By Taylor Stolt, RDN, LD, CLT, IFNCP
•
November 16, 2023
I absolutely love cooking, but baking is something I rarely do. When I do decide to bake my goal is to make something delicious, with simple steps and minimal clean-up. Any time I'm in the kitchen I want it to be as relaxing as possible, especially around the Holidays. I created this pumpkin bar recipe years ago, but I come back to it again and again. You can quickly mix up these healthy pumpkin bars for a Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving gathering, or sweet treat for yourself. But first - Is pumpkin a Fall fad or is it a healthy addition to our Fall recipes? Is pumpkin actually healthy? Here are some pumpkin nutrition highlights: Full of fiber: Fiber keeps you full, stabilizes blood sugars, supports estrogen metabolism, and regulates digestion. Loaded with vitamin A : One cup of pumpkin contains 245% of the daily recommended amount! Vitamin A prevents collagen breakdown (aka less wrinkles), supports thyroid function, increases iron absorption , and enhances the positive effects of vitamin D. Mineral-rich: Pumpkin is a rich source of magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, zinc and iron. These minerals support energy production, promote hormone balance, keep your immune system in tip-top shape, and more. No, It’s not always healthy Yes, pumpkin is healthy. BUT don’t grab a slice of pumpkin bread and assume it’s automatically healthy. A slice of pumpkin bread from Starbucks has 40 grams of sugar.