Ask The Dietitian: It's Pumpkin Time!

Melissa Kirdzik, my dietitian during my year as Shape magazine's Weight-Loss Diary columnist, is here today with a fabulous recipe featuring one of my favorite flavors (and major holiday food temptations!) -- pumpkin. Check this out:

 

This is the time of year when many of my clients (Me, me!) cave to the ever-tempting pumpkin pie (Dara again: Let's not even talk about the caloric horror that is the Dunkin Donuts pumpkin muffin). The news about pumpkin isn't all bad; besides its great taste, pumpkin also has a pretty impressive nutritional content: It contains antioxidants (carotenoids and lutein), iron, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and fiber. At only 50 calories and three grams of fiber per cup of pumpkin, this Pumpkin Pie Shake is a great health booster for someone watching calories.

 

Melissa's Pumpkin Pie Shake

 

One scoop vanilla whey protein powder

1/4 cup 100-percent organic pumpkin puree

One cup skim organic milk

Stevia (to taste)

Pumpkin pie spice (to taste -- I usually start with 1/4 tsp.)

Optional: Two tbsp. Cool Whip

 

Blend all ingredients in a blender. For an extra-thick cold treat, add two to three ice cubes while blending.

 

Drink immediately.

 

Sounds yummy, Melissa! Thanks for stopping by...I'm off to pick up some vanilla whey protein powder so I can try this recipe today.

Comments

[elissa]

This sounds yum. I'm going to have to try it... I have pumpkin but not vanilla protein powder (only chocolate)... so it'll have to wait a day or two.

[Alyssa]

Yum!
There's also a great, super-easy recipe from "Hungry Girl" for devils' food cake cupcakes. Just take a box of devil's food cake mix and add one can of pureed pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie mix), mix, and bake. It's yummy, has lots of fiber, and a lot less fat and calories than the traditional kind.

[Dara Chadwick]

Hi, Elissa:

I've only got chocolate, too, and couldn't get out to get vanilla the other day. But I'm picking it up today -- yippee!

Alyssa, those cupcakes sound yummy. I bet they're freezable, too. Could be a great lunchbox treat for the kids.

[elissa]

i just made this! it's yummy!