No, pumpkin pie is not Paleo, and that Pumpkin Spice Latte you get at your local Starbucks is certainly not Paleo, but plain old pumpkin picked right from the patch, is definitely Paleo.
Nutrients Found in Pumpkin
Know what gives pumpkin it’s great orange color? Vitamin A. Pumpkin just happens to be an excellent source of this nutrient, as well as vitamin C, various B vitamins, and minerals like iron, potassium, manganese, and phosphorous.
Pumpkin and Phytochemicals
Pumpkin is also high in phytochemicals, which are excellent for maintaining immune health and may help improve glucose tolerance. Despite the fact that pumpkin contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates, it’s extremely high in fiber, which helps slow the digestion of those carbs, preventing a spike in blood sugar. This is another reason that pumpkins can be an excellent option for those looking to improve their glucose tolerance.
Stocking Up
You can always buy the canned pumpkin puree, or roast and blend your own pumpkin and keep it in the freezer for when that pumpkin craving hits. Because whole pumpkins are a winter squash that tend to stay good for months, you don’t have to limit them to the Thanksgiving meal. Plan it right and you can eat them all winter long.
Mark Sisson gave a few reasons for listing pumpkin as a smart fuel.
