Whenever I coach, I repeat ‘eat nuts and seeds’ frequently! But one seed I typically forget about is pumpkin seeds. Probably because we are out of pumpkin season, but no longer should let this stop us! When was the last time you had pumpkin seeds on your salad, in your granola, or eaten plain?
Reasons why you should start crunching on these seeds:
- Extremely healthy for you. They are a high dose of magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. 1 serving of pumpkin seeds is actually half your daily dose of magnesium.
- High in protein. One serving of these seeds is 10g to keep you fuller longer.
- Full of fiber. All the carbohydrates are fibrous to help keep you satisfied with long-lasting energy.
- Very versatile. You can put pumpkin seeds on anything to make your taste buds dance.
- A rich source of omega 3’s. These are the best types of fats to eat for anti-inflammatory properties.
- Can be a sleep aid. Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan which converts into serotonin then ultimately melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone which regulates sleep. Try these in the afternoon for the body to naturally reduce stress throughout the evening to enjoy a restful night sleep.
I think my new favorite seed is pumpkin seeds! Will you be trying them soon?