Don't toss the insides of your jack-o-lantern!

Daily Tips

Before throwing out the meat and seeds of a Halloween pumpkin, consider this: Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and potassium, and the seeds are high in fiber, vitamin B12, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, a.k.a., the good fats. Pumpkin meat and seeds are both superfoods for people with diabetes.

If you are planning to use fresh pumpkin for baking, says Lona Sandon, a nutritionist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, choose smaller, blemish- and bruise-free pumpkins. Smaller pumpkins have softer and tastier meat. To maintain freshness, pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dry place until ready to use. And don’t forget to oven roast the seeds. They are great as a low-carb snack or salad topping.

Rake with caution!

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