Is it Pumpkin goodie time yet or what? I don’t think I can wait any longer! Enter: this Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!
The amazing thing about living in Canada and being American is… two Thanksgivings! Yep, two chances to stuff my pie hole with pie.
Funny thing is that I LOVE pumpkin everything, except pumpkin pie. Give me pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin soup… love them all. But there’s something about the texture of pumpkin pie that throws me off. I mean, I’ll eat it, for sure, but it’s not my pumpkin preference.
In fact, I’d much rather have this HEALTHY pumpkin pie smoothie any day. Probably because it’s creamy, dreamy, and delicious. Yes? Yes. No weird pie texture here; so much to be thankful for.
It’s also super healthy. Pumpkin puree, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds… calm down health nut! And then bananas, also healthy, but pretty much undetectable in this smoothie. It’s not a banana pumpkin pie smoothie, it’s just a pumpkin pie smoothie that happens to have bananas, which gives it a natural sweetness and a creamy milkshake-like texture. All hail bananas!
Anyways, pumpkin is a great eye food, and has been shown to prevent cataracts, cancer, and arteriosclerosis. It’s also an unreal source of beta-caratene, the phytonutrient that your body converts into Vitamin A, as needed. Isn’t that cool, your body protects itself from overdosing on Vitamin A with a built-in Vitamin A-a-meter that says, “Hmmm, I think we’re good here, we won’t convert anymore of this pumpkin into Vitamin A, thanks though!”
How kind is the body? Seriously, the more I read the more amazed I get at the body’s ability to truly heal itself.
Pumpkin seeds are also an amazing source of iron. In fact, they contain more iron than liver, by weight. Say what…?! Vegetarians Rejoice! They, along with flax seeds, are great sources of essential fatty acids, particularly Omega-3. Which, is incredible for brain health and mood boosting. (Insert happy dance and read more about Omega-3s here).
Whip this up when you’ve outdone yourself on pie but still have leftover pumpkin in the fridge. Or, better yet, skip the pie and serve everyone a healthy pumpkin pie smoothie instead! Hah, wouldn’t that be funny. My family would disown me if I tried that on Thanksgiving, you?
Enjoy! Be sure to take a picture and hashtag #insightfulbite on Instagram! I’d love to see your fall favourites!
Happy pumpkin season! (almost…)
| Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie | Print |
- 1 frozen banana*
- ½ cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
- ½ cup almond milk
- Pinch of salt (optional, but brings out more flavour)
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup for extra sweetness, if desired
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy immediately!
*If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon allspice, and ⅛ teaspoon ground clove. If you don't have all that, just use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon!
