Tag

Pumpkin Seeds

Browsing

Do you have an afternoon slump? We’ll tell you why pumpkin seeds can help you better against slackness than a cup of coffee.

After eating during the lunch break, tiredness quickly sets in in the office. Our eyes hardly want to stay open and the midday slump hits us between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. This is mainly due to the fact that our body needs a lot of energy after a meal to digest the food. As a result, oxygen-rich blood flows into the abdomen and not as much into the brain. In addition, we don’t move that much in the office and we rarely get to go for a stimulating and refreshing walk after a meal. In this case, coffee is the solution to the problem for many people. The caffeine contained in the aromatic hot drink takes effect after about 30 minutes and is distributed through the blood throughout our body. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier. The tiring messenger substance adenosine is blocked and the nerve tracts do not receive a signal to slow down and instead simply continue to work. Sounds good? But regular caffeine consumption quickly leads to habituation and the effect decreases considerably. In addition, coffee never replaces sufficient sleep. So what to do?

Pumpkin seeds: That’s why they work against tiredness

If you don’t necessarily want to grab a coffee during a midday slump, you definitely have a very healthy and delicious alternative: pumpkin seeds. They help in many ways. For one, they improve dompamine uptake. The messenger substance controls the emotional, mental and motor reactions. It is therefore also called the “lucky messenger”. On the other hand, the cores contain a lot of magnesium. This keeps our blood sugar stable so that it cannot drop and cause a midday slump.

These ingredients of the seeds help us against tiredness without caffeine. In addition, the kernels generally contain many essential trace elements, vitamins and nutrients. They keep you full for a long time and provide the body with healthy fats.

Pregnant women in particular benefit from the activating and revitalizing effect of the seeds. Since caffeine consumption can also affect the growth of the child, pregnant women should consume as little coffee as possible. It therefore makes sense to reach for pumpkin seeds, which also provide the body with valuable ingredients.

Conclusion

So if you want to drink less coffee, don’t tolerate it that well or fancy a healthy and invigorating snack, you should include pumpkin seeds in your lunch in the future. No matter whether pure, in a salad or in yoghurt, the small seeds cut a fine figure everywhere!

Pumpkin seeds contain many good nutrients. We have put together instructions for you on how to roast, season, and enjoy pumpkin seeds. Nibbling on pumpkin seeds is delicious and contributes to a balanced diet. You can enhance any salad with the rich seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are healthy

Pumpkin seeds are extremely rich in important nutrients such as unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. That is why pumpkin seeds are so much more than just a waste product. You can prepare the pumpkin seeds just like the pumpkins properly.

The nutritional value of pumpkin seeds

Not only pumpkin soup as one of the tastiest soups for the cold winter has it all, but also the small seeds of the pumpkin. The delicious roasted kernels are considered a nutrient supplier and a real zinc bomb. Zinc can help with menopause symptoms, and zinc also alleviates problems in diabetics. Pumpkin seeds also contain magnesium, iron, and selenium. The famous pumpkin seed oil is often used in every salad kitchen because it contains high-quality, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. You can then add some pumpkin seeds to your salad or soup as a topping, or simply enjoy the seeds as a snack.

Prepare kernels for roasting

When processing pumpkins, the seeds are often leftover. But since the kernels are real nutrient bombs, it is best to process them fresh right away. In order to be able to dry, season or roast them well, first remove the pulp from the seeds.

  • If you have plenty of space, you can let the seeds dry overnight in a warm, dry place. The next morning, the seeds then easily separate from the pulp.
  • Or you knead the kernels in saltwater until all the fibers come loose and the kernels are clean. If necessary, leave them in the water/saltwater overnight.
  • The clean cores then float to the surface and you can fish them out.
  • Place them on a tea towel and rub them dry.
  • You can then eat them fresh or process them further.

Dry pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds can be dried in a number of ways. It is important to dry them well before roasting or seasoning. And so it goes:

  • The kernels can dry in a bowl or on a tray on the heater.
  • The pumpkin seeds can dry in the residual heat of the oven or with the oven light switched on. Sticking a wooden spoon in the oven door will allow excess moisture to escape.
  • Or you can dry the kernels at 180°C in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then make sure to distribute the cores evenly on the tray and place them individually if possible. Also, turn them after 10 minutes.
  • You can also dry pumpkin seeds, as well as many other foods, in the dehydrator.

Roast delicious pumpkin seeds

You can now roast and season the kernels or simply enjoy them raw and dried. In the pan, roasting works as follows: Place the pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Turn the pumpkin seeds in it under constant supervision. Standard-sized pumpkin seeds are roasted for three to four minutes. Then take them out of the pan immediately, as the seeds will darken. Then let the pumpkin seeds cool down.

Refine pumpkin seeds with spices

If you want, you can also roast the pumpkin seeds in a pan with spices. Roasted pumpkin seeds with a little pressed garlic taste wonderfully spicy and are also very healthy. Roast pumpkin seeds with chili and peppers? In any case, spicy pumpkin seeds taste great as a snack or are perfect for refining salads. If you want to refine pumpkin seeds with sea salt and paprika, eat a healthy salty meal. Maybe that’s a better snack than potato chips during a cozy evening. Do you love it sweet? Roasted pumpkin seeds caramelized with sugar and cinnamon taste great as a sweet snack or to refine any dessert. Mmmmh delicious!!!

Roasted pumpkin seed ideas

Roasted pumpkin seeds are perfect for refining delicious soups, just sprinkle a few seeds on the finished soup. If you like to prepare muesli bars yourself, pumpkin seeds are a tasty ingredient. And they are also a very healthy ingredient in a homemade muesli mix. Classically, pumpkin seeds are also suitable for baking bread. In addition, all types of vegetables or salads can be deliciously refined with roasted pumpkin seeds. For example, delicious vegan spreads can be conjured up from peeled kernels. You can also use them as a substitute for pine nuts in pesto.

The fact that pumpkin seeds are so healthy is due to their valuable ingredients: They are not only a good source of vegetable protein, but also contain important vitamins and minerals. We give you an overview.

Pumpkin seeds are a regional superfood: You get them from local cultivation and they are full of valuable ingredients that promote your health. In this article you will find out what it is about in detail and what also makes the kernels healthy.

Nutritional values ​​of healthy pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds have many important nutrients to offer the body. Here you can find an overview of the nutritional values ​​of the healthy seeds.

Nutritional values ​​per 100 grams:

Calories: 547 kcal
Carbohydrates: 14.7 g
of which sugar: 1.3 g
Fiber: 6.5 g
Fat: 49g
Protein: 29.8 g

Pumpkin seeds can be a healthy source of protein, especially for people who eat a purely plant-based diet. Like other seeds and nuts, pumpkin seeds are also very nutrient dense. Therefore, you should not eat too many of them, even if they are healthy and delicious. The vegan food pyramid recommends consuming between 30 and 60 grams of nuts and seeds every day.

Pumpkin seeds have many important nutrients to offer the body. Here you can find them

Nutritional values ​​per 100 grams:
Calories: 547 kcal
Carbohydrates: 14.7 g
of which sugar: 1.3 g
Fiber: 6.5 g
Fat: 49g
Protein: 29.8 g

Pumpkin seeds can be a healthy source of protein, especially for people who eat a purely plant-based diet. Like other seeds and nuts, pumpkin seeds are also very nutrient dense. Therefore, you should not eat too many of them, even if they are healthy and delicious. The vegan food pyramid recommends consuming between 30 and 60 grams of nuts and seeds every day.

This is what makes pumpkin seeds so healthy

But pumpkin seeds are not only convincing because of their macronutrients – they are particularly healthy thanks to their valuable micronutrients.

beta carotene
B group vitamins
vitamin C
vitamin E
sodium
potassium
iron
copper
zinc
magnesium

The micronutrients contained in pumpkin seeds are important for your muscles, help with recovery after exercise, keep your bones strong and your heart healthy.

Other benefits of healthy pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds also provide other health benefits that are also scientifically proven.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants. These support your body in cell renewal, fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
In addition, pumpkin seeds have antimicrobial properties and thus support your immune system.
They also promote heart health and have a positive effect on blood lipid levels.
Pumpkin seeds contain so-called phytosterols. The substance has a similar effect to the male hormone testosterone and can have a supportive effect on mild prostate problems.