As the weather gets cooler, we often notice that our immunity and energy levels can also be affected. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to adapt your diet to the season. The right recipes and ingredients can help keep your body strong and your vitality up throughout the winter. One simple and tasty way to stay healthy this autumn is to make smoothies with typical autumn ingredients.
Why include pumpkin in your diet?
Pumpkin is a symbol of autumn, but it’s got a lot more going for it than just decoration. This amazing vegetable is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The most well-known ingredient in pumpkin is beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, which is essential for eye and skin health. Pumpkin is also a great source of vitamins C and E, which are powerful antioxidants that support the immune system and protect cells from damage. It’s also got some important minerals in it, like potassium, magnesium and iron. These help keep your heart healthy and balance the electrolytes in your body.
Pumpkin in raw form – yes, it is possible!
While pumpkin is often prepared by boiling, roasting or pickling, many people don’t realise that it can also be eaten raw. Eating raw pumpkin has lots of health benefits, but it’s important to choose the right kind. Hokkaido pumpkin is a great choice because its tender flesh doesn’t need to be cooked. You can also use butternut squash, but it needs to be peeled first.
Recipe for an autumn smoothie with butternut squash
If you’re looking for something new and healthy to try, we’ve got a simple recipe for a yellow butternut squash smoothie that you can make at home. This drink is great for breakfast or as a snack. The ingredients above make one serving, but you can easily make multiple servings for the whole family if you use more.
Ingredients:
- 100 g butternut squash
- 150 g fresh pineapple
- 1 large banana
- 200 ml vegetable milk (or other to taste)
- to taste: a pinch of turmeric or cinnamon
- for sweetening: honey or maple syrup (optional)
Preparation procedure:
- Just peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds and cut it into smaller pieces. The rest can be used to make a cream soup with pumpkin, sweet potatoes and apples, for example.
- Next, peel the pineapple and cut it into smaller pieces. If you have any leftover fresh pineapple, it’s great in other recipes, such as a sweet sauce for ribs.
- Just put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
This drink is not only tasty but also full of vitamins and minerals that help keep you healthy on colder days.
