In the autumn, pumpkins have become a prominent ingredient. Not only is it rich in taste, but it also has many benefits, especially in terms of weight loss.
1. Benefits of Eating Pumpkins
Rich in nutrients: Pumpkins contain sugars, proteins, dietary fibers, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, providing comprehensive nutritional support for the body.
Protecting the digestive system: Pumpkins contain 7%-17% pectin in the fruit, which has strong adsorption ability, can bind and eliminate bacteria and toxic substances in the body, protect the mucous membrane of the digestive system, and have a certain therapeutic effect on digestive ulcers.
Preventing and treating diabetes: The flesh of pumpkins contains a special substance that can promote insulin secretion, lower blood sugar levels, and is effective in preventing and treating diabetes.
Protecting eyesight, beauty, and weight loss: The abundant vitamins in the fruit have a protective effect on mucous membranes, which is beneficial for protecting eyesight, preventing eye diseases, beauty, and weight loss.
Weight loss aid: Eating pumpkins regularly aids in weight loss because pumpkins are rich in dietary fiber, providing a strong sense of fullness, promoting digestion, and having low calories.
Detoxification and boosting immunity: The pectin in pumpkins can adsorb metabolic waste in the intestines, while physiological active ingredients like biologically active amines, loofah alkaloids, and pumpkin seed alkaloids can catalyze the breakdown of carcinogens, aiding in detoxification and boosting cellular immunity.
2. Common Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin, Red Dates, and Pork Rib Soup
Ingredients: 700g pumpkin, 500g pork ribs, 100g red dates, 25g dried scallops, ginger shreds, salt as needed.
Instructions:
Peel and clean the pumpkin, remove seeds, and cut into thick slices;
Blanch the pork ribs in boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinse;
Wash and pit the red dates;
Wash the dried scallops and soak in water for about 1 hour;
Place all ingredients in a pot with water, simmer over low heat for 3 hours, season with salt and serve.
Effect: Tonifies the middle, benefits Qi, and strengthens bones and tendons.
Crystal Pumpkin
Ingredients: 1500g pumpkin, 200g chicken breast, ginger shreds, spring onion, rice flour. Seasoning: sweet bean sauce, cooking wine, Sichuan peppercorn powder, doubanjiang (broad bean paste), soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, rice wine, lard.
Instructions:
Wash the pumpkin, carve decorative patterns, remove top and seeds;
Clean and slice the chicken breast;
Boil water in a pot, blanch the pumpkin for 7 minutes to remove excess moisture from the pumpkin;
In a bowl, mix chicken breast, rice flour, sweet bean sauce, cooking wine, Sichuan peppercorn powder, doubanjiang, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, rice wine, lard, ginger shreds, and spring onion;
Stuff the pumpkin with the chicken mixture, steam for 20 minutes.
Effect: Nourishes Qi and lungs, promotes bowel movements, and moisturizes the skin.
