Easy ways to add pumpkin puree to your diet

Pumpkin is a delicious and very nutritious fall squash. Sweet and mild, if you don’t want to cut, seed and cook a pumpkin look for unsweetened pumpkin puree, which is full of beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A, and dietary fiber. Adding seasonal, colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet is an easy way to improve diet quality, ensure freshness and better quality. Increasing the variety of a food group encourages you to consume more foods within that group overall. Different types of produce offer unique health benefits. Experimenting keeps you from getting bored. Try these 3 suggestions for using pumpkin puree. It’s not just for pies!

• Add it into batter for baked goods such as muffins, loaf cakes and cookies. It can replace some of the oil, experiment with your recipes.
• Add it to chilis, soups and stews. After all, it is a squash with a slightly sweet and mild flavor. Much like adding sweet potato to these recipes.
• Add it to smoothies. A spoonful is enough to enjoy the health benefits and subtle flavor of this favorite fall vegetable.