When I was growing up, my mom would make pumpkin pies and a few other baked treats for me on the weekends. She never made the pumpkin pie diet that is famous throughout the UK and much of the World. That's because this healthy superfood is rich in antioxidants, protein, and fiber. It can help boost your metabolism and fight off diseases, including diabetes.

In the US, the debate is on whether or not pumpkin seed extract is really pumpkin pie. Proponents of the fiber content claim that it's in the skin of the fruit. But studies have shown that only 3.5% of the pumpkin pie is actually pumpkin seed oil. The rest comprises polyunsaturated vegetable oils like soybean, cottonseed, olives, and sunflower seeds. Fiber can be present, but you won't get enough if you eat too much vegetable oil.

Pumpkin seeds have also been proven to increase the good bacteria in your intestinal tract. They contain a high level of B vitamins and vitamin A. So taking a pumpkin seed supplement or eating foods with a high fiber content will give you lots of health benefits.

Pumpkin seed benefits are so beneficial that the International Health, Science and Technology Association has declared pumpkin the "world's healthiest vegetable." The only vegetable higher than pumpkin is broccoli. Pumpkin is loaded with beta carotene, iron, vitamin C, and folic acid. When combined with fiber, this powerful combination can boost the immune system, reduce cholesterol and provide many other health benefits.

The benefits don't stop there. A high-fiber pumpkin can actually help you lose weight by making you feel full longer. Because it slows down your body's digestion, you avoid getting hungry for food. And since you keep the kilos off by avoiding fat, you will feel better and burn more fat.

If you can't stand the taste of pumpkin, there are other alternatives. You can make pumpkin soup, bread, cookies, muffins, and cakes. Try one of the recipes above. If you enjoy fruit, you can always dip some apple, orange, or peach relish into pumpkin sauce for a sweet treat. If you want to be healthy but still taste pumpkin-tartine, you can make one of your own low-calorie soups with fresh or dried fruit.

To get maximum benefits from your pumpkin, make sure you consume it whole. Cut off any seeds and remove any pit. Eat the flesh, too; eat it raw if possible. Pumpkin also contains vitamin C, another important nutrient that can help enhance your immune system.

There are many ways to use pumpkins. You can bake pumpkin pies, cobble pumpkin seeds into pumpkin bread, smoothies and drink pints of pure pumpkin beverage. If you enjoy baked goods, you can buy pumpkin buns, cakes, cookies, and bread in the market. Buttermilk is also an excellent option for enjoying the goodness of pumpkin. Use it to create sumptuous casseroles or desserts. It has a smooth consistency like cream and is rich in protein, iron, and calcium.

Apart from the health benefits, another benefit of pumpkin is that it is a good source of essential fiber. Pumpkin has three times the amount of fiber as most other fruits. Therefore, consuming pumpkins can keep you feeling full for a longer time. Pumpkin is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E and has high mineral content.

In addition to all the health benefits, pumpkin is also replete with cosmetic benefits. It helps to exfoliate your dead cells and keeps pores unclogged to give you youthful-looking skin. It keeps pores clean, preventing dirt and oil from clogging them. This facilitates the proper secretion of your sebum.

Moreover, a pumpkin contains no trans-fats and therefore is very safe for your consumption. The vegetable is free of cholesterol and trans-fatty acids, both of which are major causes of heart diseases. Thus, eating pumpkin makes you feel fit and prevents cholesterol-related diseases like heart attack and stroke. It prevents the formation of blood clots, which could prove to be life-threatening in case they block the blood vessels leading to your heart.

There are many more health benefits of pumpkin. Eating this vegetable helps you control weight gain. It maintains a good metabolism and thus helps in burning fat. It is a perfect foodstuff for those who are on a weight loss program. Moreover, pumpkin seeds contain amino acids and thus are considered an energy supplement.