The Lifestyle Blog

This week thousands of kids and parents alike will be involved in an activity that I used to love when I was a kid - pumpkin carving! Although I haven't engaged in the activity since I was young, my sister has kept the tradition alive and is now actually quite good at it. One year, to commemorate our lost pet of years gone by, she carved the face of a West Highland White terrier that was so good I nearly shed a tear.

But the question always comes up - do you save the seeds to eat or throw them away? Well question no more - save and eat them! Pumpkin seeds are great for you and they make a handy and delicious snack. Pumpkin seeds contain loads of iron, plenty of protein and fibre, B vitamins, vitamin A, E and C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, copper and essential fats. Pumpkin seeds have been a popular treatment for enlarged prostate gland for over 100 years and the plant phytosterols they contain have been shown to be helpful in lowering cholesterol. According to David Grotto, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, eating raw pumpkin seeds at the onset of nausea will alleviate motion sickness.