5 Fall Foods For Nutritious Noshing

Coffee fiends such as myself drool over the limited edition pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks. Needless to say, there are healthier ways to get in the fall spirit, all while maintaining a trim physique.

Some of these fall favorites are fairly typical, but some you might not even know about. Read on and discover the foods you should incorporate into your fall palette.

1. Pumpkin – No, this article does not endorse running to your nearby grocery store and stocking up on Pumpkin pie. What I’m referring to is all types of pumpkin– spice, seeds, etc. Pumpkin is nutritious due to its rich source of beta carotene and vitamins A and C. It also contains folate, protein, manganese and copper. It’s a versatile fruit because you can add pumpkin spice to oatmeal or whole wheat pancakes– or just bake seeds in the oven so they have a nice toasted taste. Personally, I like to add the spice to apple and cinnamon oatmeal. If you’re not a cereal person, you can also add it to pancakes or waffles, with a pinch of chocolate chips for some extra flavor.

2. Apples - Remember the doctor telling you to eat this to keep him away from you? Well, he was correct. Apples provide a high water and fiber content (keeping you full for longer). According to Huffington Post, they’re also a good source of vitamin C and contain the chemical quercetin, which brings endurance to your muscles, allowing you to workout for longer. Dip these in peanut butter, caramel or yogurt for a power-packed snack.

3.  Nectarines - These are siblings to the peach. They are sweeter, but can be a very healthy snack. They pack vitamin C, potassium and lutein, a  nutrient that helps your body absorb vitamin A, according to Livestrong’s site.

4. Bell Peppers - Whether they are red, green, yellow or orange, they are delicious and very healthy. They boast phytochemicals, or naturally occurring antioxidants from plants. They are rich in vitamins A, C, K, B6 and magnesium. Best of all, they boost cancer fighting chemicals, such as beta carotene and and Lycopene (info found on the Web MD site).

For a tasty snack, dip slices into a low fat ranch dip or salsa. Or, toss them into a chicken fajita.

5. Yellow squash –  This veggie is low cal, low fat and full of vitamins C, A, Folate, manganese and copper, according to Health diaries’ website. Similar to bell peppers, they contain cancer fighting antioxidants, like beta carotene, as well as fiber.

This veggie works better in meals such as salads, soups and stews. You can also sauté chopped slices with a little olive oil in a pan for a roasted flavor.

Well, there you have it folks. Eat your fruits and veggies this fall and reap the health benefits they will give you.