MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Thanksgiving is just days away, and a local dietitian says there’s a simple way to make your holiday meals healthier: add pumpkin.

Brittany Smith, a registered dietitian at Union General Hospital, explains that pumpkin is more than just a pie ingredient — it’s a nutrient-packed superfood.

“It bulks up the meal with fewer calories. One cup of pumpkin only has about 50 calories,” Smith says.

Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, zinc, and fiber, which support heart health, digestion, and immunity. Even pumpkin seeds offer added benefits.

“Pumpkin seeds are higher in protein than the pumpkin itself. By eating the seeds, you’re getting an extra boost of fiber, zinc, selenium, and magnesium,” Smith says.

However, Smith warns that the health benefits can be overshadowed when pu

See Full Page