Pumpkin seeds...yikes!

Aeriel

I thought making homemade baked pumpkin seeds with no salt would be a healthy, low calorie snack. Just looked them up. For 2 tbsp of seeds, it varies between 145 and 170 calories! Wow....as bad as nuts! Still good for you but definitely higher calorie than I expected.

Ashybean22

And it's such a bummer since they are so tastey!!

kayemme

well, they are actually ridiculously good for you.

i usually cut the oil way down when i roast them. i use about a half tbs of olive oil mixed with dried herbs.
* Lower Cholesterol: The plant comprises of compounds called phytosterol that have chemical structure similar to cholesterol. Being high in phytosterols, when consumed these seeds reduce the levels of cholesterol, improve the immune response and minimize the risks of certain cancers.
* Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial to those suffering from arthritis and other chronic conditions where inflammation is the cause. When used in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, these seeds help in reducing inflammatory and swelling symptoms.
* Bone Health: Being rich in zinc, pumpkin seeds help improve bone density, especially in men. Although osteoporosis is extremely prevalent in elderly women, about 30 percent of all hip fractures occur in men. In fact research shows that low levels of zinc in the body may lead to hip and spine degeneration.
* Prostate Health: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common health syndrome that mainly occurs in elderly men. It involves enlargement of prostate gland due to over-stimulation of the prostate cells by testosterone and its conversion product, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). The pumpkin seed constituents like carotenoids and the omega-3 fats interrupt this triggering of prostate cell multiplication by testosterone and DHT and provide potential prostate benefits. Hence, men with higher quantities of carotenoids in their diet are less prone to suffer BPH or enlarged prostate.
* Anti-oxidative Properties: The main healthful benefits of pumpkin nutrition are the large quantities of antioxidants and beta-carotene present in the pumpkin. Antioxidants helps in removing the free radicals from the body, hence reducing the risks of cancer and other diseases, and beta-cartoene converts in to vitamin A which strengthens our immune system.
* Kidney Stones: Pumpkin seeds help preventing kidney stones and also help in combating depression by promoting brain health and function.

not all calories are created equal.

Mrbackslap

I say enjoy them anyways

CathyMT

Good info to know Kayemme! I think I will try to plant a pumpkin next year...

kayemme

just fyi.. when i scoop out the seeds to clean for roasting, i always save about 5 or 10 for planting next year.