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Lifestyle

18 Healthy Pumpkin Foods You Should Stock Up On Before Fall

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at NCSU chapter.

It’s that time of year again; leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and PSL’s are back at Starbucks. It’s pumpkin season! All your favorite pumpkin-flavored products are hitting shelves soon, along with some new ones that you’re definitely going to want to enjoy with the fall weather. Here’s a list of some healthy pumpkin-flavored products (both old and new) that you should get your hands on this season, which are all perfect for enjoying whilst carving pumpkins and/or jumping in leaves. #JustFallThings.

Pumpkin Pie Lärabar

Lärabars are great because they’re made from whole, natural ingredients and are minimally processed. That includes this pumpkin pie flavor which only contains 8 recognizable ingredients: dates, cashews, almonds, dried pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This results in a healthy, flavorful bar that you can trust to provide optimal nutritional benefits straight from their source. 

Noosa Pumpkin Yoghurt

Noosa, that fancy yogurt spelled with an “h”, prides themselves in using Grade A pasteurized whole milk from a group of farmers outside their headquarters in Colorado. This fall-tastic pumpkin flavor is derived from real pumpkin puree and sweetened with pure clover alfalfa honey. The result is a filling snack or breakfast  full of protein, calcium, and vitamins to truly reap in the benefits of farm to table freshness. 

Doctor Kracker Organic Seedlander Crispbreads

You can trust Doctor Kracker that these baked crisps are a healthy yet fantastic snack that you should definitely integrate into your diet. They’re made with organically grown whole grains and whole seeds, including pumpkin, sesame, flax, and poppy that deliver protein, fiber, and essential micro-nutrients for you body. These crackers are perfect for munching on their own, but can also be enjoyed topped with healthy spreads like cottage cheese, peanut butter (see below), or hummus. 

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a must have superfood for all health nuts (see what I did there). Peanut Butter & Co. takes their all-natural peanut butter made without hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup and mixes in real pumpkin for a major fall upgrade. This autumn-spiced spread is perfect for fall semester PB&J’s, or by the spoonful when your sweet tooth hits. 

Qi’a Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal

Take your bland bowl of oatmeal to the next level this season with this cinnamon pumpkin seed flavor from Qi’a Superfoods. It’s made with gluten-free rolled oats, chia, hemp, pumpkin seeds, and buckwheat to deliver a hearty, satisfying bowl with 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 31 grams of whole grains. With all this goodness you’ll be super energized and ready to go for whatever your day throws at you. 

Pumpkin Spice Ready Pac Salad

Your basic lunch salad is about to get an epic fall makeover. Ready Pac Foods loads this prepackaged salad with a fresh blend of green and red lettuces, radicchio, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, turkey, raisins and pumpkin seeds, topped off with a deliciously sweet pumpkin vinaigrette. You get 330 calories, 11 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and a plethora of yummy flavors for a satisfying salad you’ll be looking forward to all day. 

Enjoy Life Not Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix

With this mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried apples, cranberries, and chocolate chips, you won’t even miss the nuts in this power-packed trail mix. Pumpkin seeds deliver a ton of nutritional benefits, including protein, magnesium, fiber, and other valuable nutrients to get you through anything from a rigorous hike to a midday snack in between classes. Carry a bag of this sweet trail mix in your backpack and never be hungry again. 

Sweet Home Farm Pumpkin Flax Granola

Load up your morning yogurt parfait or smoothie with Sweet Home Farm’s pumpkin flax granola this season. It’s got Omega-3s from flaxseed, fiber from whole rolled oats, and protein and other vitamins and minerals from pretty green pumpkin seeds. The crunchy clusters in this granola provide a satisfying and tasty topping that’s so good you’ll want to throw it on everything. 

Creative Snacks Pumpkin Spice Yogurt Pretzels

At Creative Snacks they pride themselves in providing affordable treats that are free of artificial ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils. That means that these festive yogurt-covered pretzels contain all real ingredients, so you do’t have to feel bad about eating them. So snack away, and let the joys of pumpkin spice fill your tastebuds. 

Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax Crunchy Granola Bar

These crunchy bars are made with whole grains, flaxseeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, and a blend of spices to deliver the most fall-worthy granola bar you’ve ever had. Just one of these Kashi bars delivers 21 grams of whole grains, 5 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber, making them a staple of your back-to-school diet

So Delicious Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk 

For all those lactose-intolerants out there (and lovers of coconut milk), So Delicious has a new pumpkin spice flavor lining shelves just in time for fall. Coconut milk is a great source of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, and magnesium, along with good fats and a little bit of protein. This pumpkin spice variety will go great in your morning cup of coffee or in this delectable and satisfying pumpkin smoothie

Way Better Pumpkin Cranberry Tortilla Chips

Beginning in October you can get your hands on these addicting pumpkin cranberry tortilla chips that’ll have you reminiscing about Thanksgiving dinner. The pumpkin-cranberry combo lends the perfect sweetness to compliment saltier ingredients like stone ground whole corn, flax seeds, and quinoa. With all these super ingredients making these chips only 140 calories per serving, you’ll have no regrets snacking on them till dinnertime. 

Pumpkin Spice Brûlée Oolong Tea

Ditch the PSL for a more natural source of caffeine with Teavana’s Pumpkin Spice Brûlée Oolong Tea. Along with pumpkin, the tea incorporates cocoa, white chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla notes, leaving you feeling enveloped in a cozy fall warmth with each sip. As another plus, this tea won’t give you a midday caffeine crash so you can spend more time frolicking in colorful leaves. 

Blue Diamond Pumpkin Spice Almonds

Almonds are one of the more healthy nuts, as they help in weight loss, boost energy, and are loaded with tons of nutrients and antioxidants. This pumpkin spice flavor by Blue Diamond delivers all that along with a seasonally appropriate tasty kick. Eat them on their own or pair them with pumpkin seeds and dried fruit for a sweet and satisfying trail mix perfect for snacking in the fall.

Pumpkin Seed Crunch with Black Sesame Seeds

These crunchy clusters are packed with pumpkin and sesame seeds, which contain nutrients essential for strengthening muscle tissues, skin, and hair. Sesame seeds are also known to be beneficial for your metabolism and help in fat-burning. So snacking on these is actually better for you then not snacking at all, right?

Pumpkin Pie ONE Bar

pumpkin sweet coffee
Photo courtesy of ohyeahnutrition.com

If you find during a busy day of classes, work, studying, and other activities you don’t have time to stop for a full lunch, this ONE Bar is the perfect meal supplement to keep you going. This new pumpkin pie flavor delivers 20 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar at under 230 calories. Keep these in your book bag to keep you going during whatever fall semester throws at you.

Special K Pumpkin Spice Crunch Cereal

Special K is known for their healthy and nourishing cereals that are typically low in calories but full of wholesome grains and fiber. This pumpkin spice variety is no different; with its crunchy rice and wheat flakes seasoned with nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon, you’ll be looking forward to a heaping bowl of this fall-flavored goodness every morning. 

Halo Top Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Thanks to our pals over at Halo Top, it’s possible to still eat a delicious pumpkin pie flavored treat while still being healthy. This ice cream is packed with 20 grams of protein and only 360 calories per pint, while also being low in sugar, carbs, and fats. With ice cream this good and this good for you, you won’t even be missing actual pumpkin pie come dessert time. 

This roundup of healthy pumpkin-flavored foods has options for every meal to feed to you throughout all those long, chilly fall days. Reap in the benefits of pumpkin all season by stocking up on these products ASAP, and no judgment if you enjoy a PSL every now and then too. 

Most likely daydreaming about pizza and chicken tenders. | Spoon HQ Remote Intern