Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Embrace Pumpkin Year-Round: A Nutritional Powerhouse Beyond Fall

Why Limit Pumpkin to Fall?

I love a cozy fall morning with a warm beverage and seasonal ingredients, but it seems like a missed opportunity that pumpkin is only celebrated for a few months each year. Canned pumpkin is widely available year-round and is a true nutritional powerhouse—so why not make the most of it beyond fall?

Pumpkin Profit: Why Companies Like Starbucks and Trader Joe’s Agree

Pumpkin-flavored products are incredibly profitable for companies like Starbucks and Trader Joe’s, and I’m sure they’d agree that pumpkin should be used year-round. This year, Starbucks brought back its beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte on August 30th—yes, August! While many were still soaking up the summer sun, and farmer’s markets were overflowing with tomatoes, Starbucks was already creating that cozy fall vibe, complete with chilly stores and the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. I guarantee they are not interested in the nutritional benefits of real pumpkin.

The Pumpkin Hype vs. Real Pumpkin

It’s important not to confuse the pumpkin hype with real pumpkin. The “pumpkin” in many products is often just a mix of spices, artificial flavors and plenty of sugar. If you’ve ever tried pure canned pumpkin puree, you know it’s neither sweet nor spiced. Adding pure pumpkin to sweet or savory dishes is a smart way to pack in nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E to boost your immune system, fiber to keep you full, and potassium for heart health.

Real Pumpkin in Your Favorite Dishes

Don’t get me wrong—I love enjoying pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies and even lattes with my family in the fall, but we always use real pumpkin puree. One of my favorite pumpkin dishes this time of year is a savory pumpkin curry with tofu that I learned in culinary school. But as someone who enjoys smoothies year-round and loves seasonal ingredients, it’s a no-brainer to add pumpkin to my smoothies in the fall—and I plan to keep doing so even after the season ends.

Cheers,

Christina

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Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

This creamy, fiber and protein filled smoothie is a fun addition to the smoothie rotation. Pure pumpkin puree is a nutrient-dense, immune boosting ingredient that is begging to be included in your diet year-round.

Course: Smoothie

Keyword: protein smoothie, pumpkin

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 465kcal

Author: Christina Shoup

Equipment

• A high speed blender such as a Vitamix is helpful for the best texture

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond, soy or macadamia milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Be Well By Kelly is my favorite
• 3 tbsp pure pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp flaxseed meal
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ frozen banana
• ice cubes

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 959mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 7557IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 638mg | Iron: 4mg