Okay, I haven’t actually “tortured” my son or husband with pumpkin smoothies, because they won’t try ANY smoothies! But, I have tried them and I’m in love with the flavor…and the health benefits!
The ingredients in a can of Libby’s Pumpkin – JUST PUMPKIN. Nothing else.
One serving (1/2 cup) has 40 calories and 300% of the Vitamin A, 2g protein, and some iron sprinkled in!
One site touts pumpkin’s benefits as: “…it’s an excellent source of that all-important antioxidant beta-carotene. Research shows that people who eat a diet rich in beta-carotene are less likely to develop certain cancers than those who fail to include beta-carotene-rich foods in their diet. Pumpkin also has another carotenoid, beta-cryptoxanthin, which may decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers.”
It makes smoothies so creamy and rich.
One of my favorite blends is:
- 1 banana
- 1/2 can pumpkin
- 3 handfuls of spinach
- 1/2 cup OJ
- 1- 1 1/2 cups of water (just depends how much you want to make & how thick)
- sprinkle of cinnamon
- 2 TBS flax-seed
- I sometimes add in either strawberries, raspberries or another fruit just to change things up
- ice
Blend everything until it is the consistency you want…and enjoy!
