5 Orange Foods To Eat More Of! (Sorry, Cheetos Didn't Make The List!)

Several fruits and vegetables get their bright orange color from a powerful nutrient called beta carotene. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that can be converted by the body into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important for good health, especially your vision. Because of its antioxidant properties, beta carotene is thought to have powerful anti-cancer properties. It may also help to enhance your immune system and help protect your skin from sun damage. Check out these five beta carotene rich foods and see why else they are good for you!

1) Cantaloupe

In addition to beta carotene, cantaloupe is a great source of the important nutrients vitamin C and potassium. To learn more about why these so good for you check out Why is Getting Enough Vitamin C So Important? and Why Potassium Is Important & Which Foods To Get It From!

2) Pumpkin

In addition to being a great source of both beta-carotene and alpha carotene, pumpkin is a low calorie source of fiber, potassium, selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. In SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven Pratt, M.D., pumpkin is called "one of the most nutritionally valuable foods known to man"! If you're interested in trying some delicious new pumpkin recipes, check out this Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie Recipe, Pumpkin Pancake Recipe, or Light Pumpkin Bread From Cooking Light!

3) Carrots

In addition to beta carotene, carrots are a good source of fiber, manganese, niacin, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. 

Fun Fact: Carrots were originally purple, red white, and yellow. The orange carrot was invented by the Dutch by crossbreeding red and yellow carrots in honor of the Dutch royal family. For a few more fun facts about carrots check out 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Carrots!

4. Sweet Potatoes

In addition to beta carotene, sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, B6, manganese, potassium, and fiber. Also, sweet potatoes may enhance your memory! According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "Rats who ate purple-fleshed sweet potatoes showed significant improvement in cognitive function, which may be attributed to the anthocyanins present in the potato." More studies are needed to determine if this also applies to humans, but those results are certainly promising! 

5. Oranges

In addition to being a great source of vitamin C, oranges contain citrus flavonoids that have numerous potential health benefits. According to SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, "Citrus flavonoids have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, strengthen capillaries, act as anti-inflammatories, and they antiallergenic and antimicrobial. Flavonoid intake is inversely associated with the incidence of heart attack and stroke as well as a host of other ailments."

5 Delicious Ways To Eat Pumpkin Seeds!

Pumpkin seeds are both delicious and packed full of nutrients! They contain magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, zinc, fiber, selenium, and manganese. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, pumpkin seeds have a high phytosterol content which may help to lower cholesterol. Although you can certainly eat pumpkin seeds plain and raw, here are five more great ways to eat this delicious food!

1) Spice 'Em Up!
If you enjoy snacks with a bit of a kick, try roasting pumpkin seeds seasoned with turmeric, garlic, cayenne pepper, or chipotle flakes.

2) Add Pumpkin Seeds To Oatmeal!
Start your day off right, by eating this nutrient packed breakfast combination!

3) Add Pumpkin Seeds To Trail Mix!
Pumpkin seeds would probably be a welcome addition to most trail mixes, but here is a recipe for a Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix that sounds especially delicious! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/pumpkin-seed-dried-cherry-trail-mix-recipe/index.html

4) Sweeten 'Em Up!
Try roasting pumpkin seeds seasoned with a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or brown sugar for a snack that's sweet and crispy. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing!

5) Add Pumpkin Seeds To Salad!
Try tossing spinach or kale with cranberries and pumpkin seeds mixed with a vinaigrette dressing for a delicious autumn salad!

Fun Fact: According to the book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, Pumpkin seeds found in Mexico were estimated to at least 7500 years old!

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Why Is Pumpkin Super Nutritious?

Pumpkin is a great low calorie source of fiber, potassium, selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. However, what really makes pumpkin a nutrition powerhouse is the combination of carotenoids that it contains. It is a good source of both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, as well as beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein. Foods rich in carotenoids have been shown to have many health-promoting and disease-fighting properties. Carotenoids protect the skin and eyes, protect us from free radicals, and help our immune system. Studies have linked them to a decrease in the risk for various cancers, including lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer. So be sure to add some healthy pumpkin dishes to your menu this holiday season. Your body will thank you! Not to mention pumpkin is delicious!