How Healthy Are Pumpkins?

As it turns out, pumpkins are far more than just something fun to carve on Halloween. They’re a nutrition powerhouse packed with vitamins proven to lower the risk of cancer, boost the immune system, and help promote heart, lung, and kidney health. 

Take a journey with “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll to a pumpkin paradise and learn everything there is to know about these delicious fall favorites. He travels to Butler’s Orchard, a 300-acre farm just outside of Washington, D.C., to speak with third-generation grower Ben Butler about picking the perfect pumpkin for both cooking and carving. Plus, explore the growing process and take a trip inside of their massive farm store where you can find just about anything you want that’s made with pumpkin—even soap!

You’ll also learn about dozens of varieties of pumpkins.

Lee Crosby, R.D., L.D., also carves up pumpkin nutrition facts! Everything from beta-carotene to vitamins A and C to fiber and tryptophan (yes, that thing that makes you sleepy) is on the table!

Fun fact: The can of pumpkin in your pantry may not actually be pumpkin at all. You’ll find out why on the show!

In This Episode

• What’s actually in a pumpkin?
• How a pumpkin may help fight cancer
• How a pumpkin may help your heart
• How a pumpkin may help boost your immune system
• Can pumpkins make me sleepy?
• The best type of pumpkin for pumpkin pie
• When to plant pumpkins
• The challenges of growing pumpkins
• How to pick the perfect pumpkin
• Bizarre-looking pumpkins

In This Episode

• Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
• Cauliflower-Pumpkin Curry