There's nothing sweeter than reaching the end of the meal with room for a little dessert, especially when it's a slice of the Fall and Winter favorite, pumpkin pie. However, using grandma's recipe (or buying it from the store) can leave your healthy eating plans all out of whack. So what's the real deal with this holiday classic?
On average a slice of pumpkin pie rings in at 316 calories. If you think about that in terms of working out, we're talking about a 32-minute run. But before you write it off completely, pumpkin pie is the healthier choice when compared to its partner apple pie, which has 411 calories per slice. Still, you may want to practice moderation if you're planning on enjoying some delicious pumpkin-y goodness.
So where do the calories in pumpkin pie come from? Yes, the actual pumpkin in the dish is quite healthy, but the butter and flour in the crust as well as the cream and sugar needed for the filling add a good dose of saturated fat and calories. But a healthy pumpkin pie is possible! Preparing a nut-based crust and swapping out the cream means you can create a vegan pumpkin pie that will still manage to get everyone's mouths watering. Don't be afraid to indulge a little during the holidays — just remember to eat smartly!
FAQs
Cons: Fatty ingredients like traditional pastry crust, butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, or shortening can sabotage the nutritional value. Mountains of sugar from canned pumpkin pie filling and spoonfuls of sugary toppings can also send calories through the roof.
Is pumpkin pie bad for your cholesterol? ›
Both the seeds and the flesh of pumpkin provide fiber, which helps keep your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels low.
Is it good to eat pumpkin pie every day? ›
Pumpkin is generally safe to eat daily in moderation. It is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet. However, too much of any food can lead to digestive issues, so it's important to consume pumpkin in reasonable amounts.
Is pumpkin pie good for your heart? ›
“Pumpkin is high in potassium, which is a key ingredient for heart health,” Zumpano says. A cup of pumpkin contains 16% of your daily recommended amount of potassium. And it also has heart-healthy vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, which can help prevent heart disease.
Is pumpkin pie bad for kidneys? ›
Although pumpkin is a higher potassium food, in moderation it can be beneficial for your overall health. Pumpkin is packed with nutritional benefits that are great for the renal diet including fiber, Vitamin C and beta-carotene. So go ahead, enjoy this fall delights in moderation today!
What is the healthiest pie you can eat? ›
But the apple pie takes the cake when it comes to fiber and potassium, and it has less added sugar. So what's a pie aficionado to do? Well, if you want to consume fewer calories, go for the pumpkin—it almost always has fewer because of the single crust. You could also take a sliver of both pies.
Is pumpkin pie bad for blood pressure? ›
This can include consuming adequate potassium in which pumpkin happens to be rich. Potassium helps to lower blood pressure by balancing out the negative effects of salt. Your kidneys then help to control your blood pressure by controlling the amount of fluid stored in your body.
Which pie is healthier pumpkin or sweet potato? ›
Pumpkin Pies
Using the right ingredients, you can make a mouthwatering pumpkin pie. Additionally, they contain less sugar and calories than sweet potato pie. This makes them an ideal choice for those who are looking for a low-calorie option.
Is pumpkin pie good for gut health? ›
May improve gut health
Pumpkin is a functional food ingredient that may benefit your stomach in many ways. Its peel has polysaccharides, which help the good bacteria in your stomach grow and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria. It's high in zinc and vitamin A, which may help improve the intestinal barrier.
Is pumpkin pie healthier than apple? ›
The pumpkin pie wins on calories, saturated fat, protein and calcium. But the apple pie takes the cake when it comes to fiber, sugar (both total and added) and sodium. So what's a pie aficionado to do? Well, if you're watching calories go for the pumpkin-it almost always has fewer because of the single crust.
Pecan pie contains more calories but offers you plenty of nutrients that you can't find in any other pie. On the other hand, pumpkin pies have a lower calorie content. But pumpkins contain fewer nutrients compared to pecans. Hence, both of these pies are healthy in their own way.
Is pumpkin pie good for your liver? ›
You can also support liver function by including pumpkin and other antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. These antioxidants help your liver break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates — and filter harmful substances out of your bloodstream.
What organ is pumpkin good for? ›
“Because they're rich in vitamin A, pumpkins also lower your risk for certain types of cancer, including prostate and lung cancer.” Additionally, pumpkins contain carotenoids, a pigment that functions as an antioxidant. Carotenoids may lower your risk of developing throat, pancreatic, stomach and breast cancer.
Is pumpkin good for clogged arteries? ›
Pumpkins also contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps to soak up LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that can clog your arteries and lead to high cholesterol levels.
Will pumpkin pie raise your sugar? ›
Thus, the GL is a better assessment of how much a realistic serving of a particular food will affect your blood sugar. Pumpkin has a high GI at 75, but a low GL at 8 (7). This means that as long as you eat a single one-cup portion of pumpkin or less, it shouldn't significantly affect your blood sugar levels.
How fattening is a piece of pumpkin pie? ›
There are 229 calories in 1 piece of Pumpkin Pie (Commercial). * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.
Is pumpkin pie healthier than sweet potato? ›
Between the two pies, most of the other ingredients are the same. Pumpkin pie has slightly lower calories, while sweet potato pie has more nutrients.
Are pie pumpkins good for you? ›
Pumpkins are a heart-healthy food
“Pumpkins are rich in potassium, which can help regulate your blood pressure, lowering your risk for heart attack and stroke,” said George. “They also contain vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, which can help prevent heart disease.”
