Shannon Center Weekly Nutrition Tip – Healthy Ways to Indulge in Pumpkin Spice

It’s that time of year…pumpkin spice is everywhere! But, keep in mind…just because pumpkin is a vegetable, does not mean that product or food is necessarily healthy!

Example:

A grande pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks will net you:

380 calories, 14 grams fat and 52 grams of carbohydrate (50 grams of sugar!). NOT GOOD!

Here are some ways to lighten up your latte:

• Opt for skim milk instead of 2% or whole;
• Skip the whip;
• Get a short (or at least a tall) instead of grande.

With all those changes you are down to 130 calories and 0 grams of fat. (Still not something you should drink daily with all that sugar!)

Foods you can add pumpkin spice to for some added fall flavor!

• Sprinkle in;
• Muffins or cookies;
• Brummel and brown butter (mix with seasoning and add to toasted whole grain toast);
• Popcorn;
• Oatmeal with nuts and half apple;
• Butternut squash baked in oven;
• Greek yogurt;
• Into hot cider or hot chocolate!

Hungry yet? I am! Enjoy this fall season, just with a little less calories!

Kelly Devine Rickert, M.S. R.D.N. C.S.S.D. L.D.N.

---