Pumpkin seeds are increasingly becoming a popular snacking option. People are switching processed snacks like cookies or wafers with pumpkin seeds. We are here with some ways of how to eat pumpkin seeds and include them in your everyday diet.

Pumpkin seeds are an edible part of the pumpkin fruit and are sweet in taste. They are more commonly known as pepitas. These seeds are extremely nutritious and there is no reason why you should not make these a part of your diet.

Health benefits of pumpkin seeds

Don’t judge these tiny green seeds by their size. Though small in size, pumpkin seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals, and can even help in fighting off some chronic diseases.

Filled with antioxidants and being a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium, pumpkin seeds are great for our heart health and reduce the risk of a heart stroke. Being a natural source of tryptophan, pumpkin seeds promote sleep. Studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds have anti-cancer properties that can stop the growth of breast and prostate cancer cells.

There are many ways in which one can have these nutty seeds but here are 5 healthy ways to include pumpkin seeds in your everyday diet.

How to eat pumpkin seeds?

1. Have it as a plain snack

The best and easiest way to eat pumpkin seeds is to just start eating them. Keep them in a small jar and munch on them whenever you feel like it. There are many varieties available in the market like salted or caramelized but it is best to have them plain and enjoy its sweet and nutty taste!

2. Use them as toppings

Anything you cook, sweet or savory, will be enriched with a garnishing of pumpkin seeds. Whether it’s your breakfast cereal, a salad or desserts like cupcakes or puddings, you can sprinkle some pumpkin seeds on top to make them more crunchy, flavourful and nutritious.

3. Cook the seeds

You can have them roasted, toasted or sauteed. You can also cook them in one of your favorite gravy dishes or you can take a few seeds and saute them in some olive oil or butter. This will give a crackle to your pumpkin seeds and enhance its flavor.

4. Chaat

You can make a healthy salad-cum-chaat with the pumpkin seeds. Chop up some onions, coriander and green chilies into the pumpkin seeds and squeeze some lemon juice and add salt to taste. Mix it up and you have made yourself a scrumptious plate of pumpkin seed chaat!

5. Make a smoothie out of it

Pumpkin seeds can be a healthy addition to your breakfast smoothie. While making any kind of smoothie, banana, blueberry or mango, just add a handful of soaked pumpkin seeds and blend them together.

A pro tip on pumpkin seeds

These are high in calories and can make you pile on weight if not eaten in the right quantities. A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds everyday is good enough to get their health benefits without increasing your calorie count.