Pumkin Seeds!!

Growing up, my favorite part about Halloween was carving the pumpkin and roasting the seeds.  I am excited to pass this tradition on too my kids.  With all the candy from trick or treating, it’s nice to have other exciting things for my kids to eat that are nutritious.  My daughter had a blast pulling all the gooey stuff from the pumpkins and even more fun separating the seeds from it. 

Pumpkin seeds have many health benefits.  When scientists started researching the oil found in pumpkin seeds, they found that the oil kept hormones from inflicting damage on the cells of the prostate, helping to reduce cancer development.   Studies also show them helping to prevent hardening of the arteries and help regulate cholesterol levels!

Studies have shown pumpkin seeds to improve bladder and urethra function, and have thought to help stop kidney stones from forming.  These small seeds also contain a significant amount of L-tryptophan, which studies have shown to be beneficial in preventing depression!    Still yet, more studies have shown pumpkin seeds to be somewhat of a “brain food” helping to treat some learning disorders.  In addition, they are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and numerous health promoting antioxidants.

In our family we always ate the whole seed.  If using it on a salad or in a soup we would take the shell off but to just snack on we ate the whole thing.  What is your personal preference, eating the whole seed or taking he shell off?