Right now, stores across the country are packed with pumpkin flavored variations of all our favorite foods and specialty products that will only be available for a short time. In addition to pumpkin pie, it’s now easy to find pumpkin granola cereals, pumpkin soups, pumpkin bagels and pumpkin spice lattes that claim to offer unusual flavor sensations and an extra serving of vegetables. However, not all these pumpkin treats are on the level. While it’s true that pumpkins are naturally high in fiber, vitamin A, zeaxanthin, zinc and iron, pumpkin flavored foods aren’t necessarily filled with all those vitamins and minerals.
This is because many products that boast pumpkin flavoring don’t have much, or in some cases any, actual pumpkin in them. A lot of “pumpkin” desserts are made with artificial flavorings and are utterly lacking in the nutrients found in real pumpkins. Pumpkin spice lattes are especially unhealthy as they are filled with more sugary syrups than other flavored caffeinated beverages. You should also be on the lookout for pumpkin seeds that advertise their cholesterol balancing properties, but don’t mention the fact that they are also heavy on saturated fats. Find out what other pumpkin foods aren’t all they’re cracked up to be by checking out this article.
Read the full article here: Pumpkin foods may not live up to healthy reputation