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Here Are All The Benefits Of Apples And Pumpkins

Just in time for fall.

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at the pumpkin patch
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Fall brings with it brightly colored foliage, cooler temperatures, and crisp fall air. With those great vibes, let's not forget the fabulous fall harvest you may be hauling home from the local farmers' market. Although there are plenty of fall produce options to choose from, we can't get enough of two most iconic ones—apples and pumpkins. Whether you are planning a visit to the community apple orchard or spending the day parading through a nearby pumpkin patch, here are ten reasons to love apples and pumpkins just in time for apple- and pumpkin-picking season.

1

Easy Serving Size

close up view of green apples on the branches of an apple tree
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The USDA considers one small apple as one serving of fruit (or half of one large apple). Apple picking is so fun, and it's satisfying to have such a wholesome treat around afterwards.

2

Enjoy on the Go

slices of apple on white background
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Apples are incredibly easy to enjoy on the go and you can pack pack them for the day ahead without much fuss. Simply wash and enjoy or cut into slices so you can easily dip them in your favorite nut butter spread. A classic combination is apple slices with a heaping spoonful of peanut butter. For an added crunch, top with a sprinkle of cacao nibs for a chocolatey decadent delight.

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3

Good for You

honey crisp apples
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The old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” has some validity to it. As noted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, apples are a good source of insoluble and soluble fiber, phytochemicals including anthocyanin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin, as well as Vitamin C.

4

Incredibly Versatile

homemade apple pie
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Apples are an incredibly versatile fruit and can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Bake them into an apple crumble or pie, eat them all on their own, or sprinkle them on a hearty fall salad. (They go great with goat cheese). You can even use them as an oatmeal topping or as an additional ingredient to a homemade stuffing recipe if you need some sweetness and crunch.

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5

Lengthy Shelf Life

apples on a bowl
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Another benefit of apples is that they have a fairly long shelf life. When stored on your kitchen countertop or in your pantry, freshly picked apples can last roughly 2-4 weeks, but for best results, store them in your refrigerator crisper, where they can stay fresh for up to 6-8 weeks. That's right, those October apples can potentially go in your family’s favorite pies for all of the end-of-the-year holidays.

6

Eat the (Pumpkin) Seeds

close up of roasted pumpkin seeds
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Enough about apples, onto fall pumpkins. One of the best parts about pumpkins is roasting their seeds for a crunchy, salty, and satisfying snack. Although traditional roasting recipes are delicious, get creative in the kitchen with cool flavor combinations like chili, cinnamon, and garlic. Eat them all on their own or add them to a fall salad for a satiating crunch.

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7

Great for Baking and Cooking

homemade pumpkin pie for thanksigiving ready to eat,romania
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Just like apples, pumpkins are the perfect fall baking partner. Who can say no to slice of classic pumpkin pie, anyone? Pumpkins are also great for cooking as well, inspiring delicious recipes for all times of day including pumpkin pie, overnight oats, pumpkin pancakes, and roasted pumpkin.

8

Pumpkin Puree

pumpkin soup
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Cooking the seeds can be just the tip of the iceberg. Another great thing about pumpkins is that you can make homemade pumpkin puree. As long as you are using a baking pumpkin or sugar pumpkin, you can roast it and blend it into a fresh batch of pumpkin puree to use in all of your baking and cooking recipes. Here is how you can make your own pumpkin puree.

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9

Pumpkin Seed Butter

pumpkin seeds on a spoon
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If you've had enough roasted pumpkin seeds, try making them into a batch of homemade pumpkin seed butter. Simply add your pumpkin seeds to a food processor, and blend for about five minutes, or until the seeds become a smooth spread. Enjoy a spoonful of Simple Pumpkin Seed Butter just like you would any other plant-based spread—on an apple slice, on top of that morning bowl of oatmeal, or slathered on a piece of toast.

10

Delicious and Nutritious

sliced, fresh butternut squash on parchment on a tray
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According to the Mayo Clinic, “Pumpkin is nutrient-rich due to its bright-orange color. This orange color comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant, and precursor to vitamin A meaning beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body.” It is also low in calories and loaded with fiber and potassium.

Headshot of Ashley Martens
Ashley Martens
Journalist

Ashley Martens is a wellness writer based in Chicago. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about topics to help people live happier and healthier lives. With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics. Ashley is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

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