Raw Shelled Pumpkin Seeds - Pepitas, 2 Pound

By Dr. MercolaIf you're in the mood for a chewy snack that doubles as a phenomenal health food, look no further thanpumpkin seeds.With a wide variety of nutrients ranging from magnesium and manganese to copper, protein and zinc, pumpkin seeds are nutritional powerhouses wrapped up in a very small package. They also contain plant compounds known as phytosterols and free-radical scavenging antioxidants,1 which can give your health an added boost.Because these are high-fiber seeds, they’re able to boost your fiber intake, helping you reach the ideal amount of 50 grams per 1,000 calories consumed.Best of all, because pumpkin seeds are highly portable and require no refrigeration, they make an excellent snack to keep with you whenever you're on the go, or they can be used as a quick anytime snack at home, too.9 Top Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds1. Heart Healthy MagnesiumOne-quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount ofmagnesium, which participates in a wide range of vitally important physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of your heart, proper bone and tooth formation, relaxation of your blood vessels, and proper bowel function.Magnesium has been shown to benefit your blood pressure and help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke, yet an estimated 80 percent of Americans are deficient in this important mineral.2. Zinc for Immune SupportPumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc (one ounce contains more than 2 mg of this beneficial mineral). Zinc is important to your body in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep, mood, your senses of taste and smell, eye and skin health, insulin regulation, and male sexual function.Many are deficient in zinc due to mineral-depleted soils, drug effects, plant-based diets, and other diets high in grain. This deficiency is associated with increased colds and flu, chronic fatigue, depression, acne, low birth weight babies, learning problems and poor school performance in children, among others.3. Plant-Based Omega-3 FatsRaw nuts and seeds, including pumpkin seeds, are one of the best sources of plant-based omega-3s (alpha-linolenic acid or ALA). We all need ALA, however, ALA has to be converted by your body into the far more essential omega-3 fats EPA and DHA -- by an enzyme in which the vast majority of us have impaired by high insulin levels. So, while pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of ALA, I believe it is essential to get some of your omega-3 fats from animal sources, such as krill oil, as well.4. Prostate HealthPumpkin seeds have long been valued as an important natural food for men's health. This is in part because of their high zinc content, which is important for prostate health (where it is found in the highest concentrations in the body), and also because pumpkin seed extracts and oils may play a role in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate). Research suggests that both pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds2 may be particularly beneficial in supporting prostate health.5. Anti-Diabetic EffectsAnimal studies suggest that pumpkin seeds may help improve insulin regulation and help prevent diabetic complications by decreasing oxidative stress.46. Benefits for Postmenopausal WomenPumpkin seed oil is rich in natural phytoestrogens and studies suggest it may lead to a significant increase in good "HDL" cholesterol along with decreases in blood pressure, hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.57. Heart and Liver HealthPumpkin seeds, rich in healthy fats, antioxidants and fibers, may provide benefits for heart and liver health, particularly when mixed with flax seeds.68. Tryptophan for Restful SleepPumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid (protein building block) that your body converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the "sleep hormone." Eating pumpkin seeds a few hours before bed, along with a carbohydrate like a small piece of fruit, may be especially beneficial for providing your body the tryptophan needed for your melatonin and serotonin production to help promote a restful night's sleep.79. Anti-Inflammatory BenefitsPumpkin seed oil has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. One animal study even found it worked as well as the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin in treating arthritis, but without the side effects.8What's the Best Way to Consume Pumpkin Seeds?In order to preserve the healthy fats present in the seeds, pumpkin seeds should be eaten raw. If you choose to purchase seeds from a bulk bin, make sure they smell fresh – not musty, spoiled or stale, which could indicate rancidity or the presence of fungal mycotoxins. Organic pumpkin seeds are preferred, as they will not be contaminated with pesticides or other harmful chemicals.However, most nuts and seeds have anti-nutrients like phytic acid that can make all the previously discussed important nutrients less bioavailable when you consume them. So if you plan on consuming seeds or nuts on a regular basis, it would be wise to soak or sprout them. To make them more palatable, you can then dehydrate them in your oven, or better yet and more cost effectively in a dehydrator. There are many dehydrators on the market, but Excalibur is generally considered the best. I have used one for over 20 years. They are readily available onAmazon.If you prefer to eat the seeds roasted, do so yourself so you can control the roasting temperature and time. Raw pumpkin seeds can be roasted on a low heat setting in your oven (no more than 170 degrees F or 75 degrees Celsius), sprinkled with Himalayan or other natural salt, for about 15-20 minutesThe best superfood powders on the marketWhen looking for the best superfood powder, you need to factor in both quality and price. First, try and figure out what kind of superfoods you’re looking for. Do you want a single ingredient superfood powder or do you want a blend? If so, what kind of blend? Green foods only? Just berries? Raw? Protein-rich?The list goes on and on, and the various types of superfood powders available range from simple things like the aforementioned qualities to even complex matters like superfoods extracted from a specific geographic location or extracted using cold processing technology (raw/undenatured). If you don’t know what that means, it means it’s going to be more expensive. In all honesty, I’d go with one of the following blends because they combine a good mix of price/quality:1. Garden of Life Perfect Food Powder – Super Green Formula: Chock full of barley, alfalfa, wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella, algae, ginger and many other grasses and greens. One of our favorites because it is so pure and nutrient rich.2. NOW Green PhytoFoods Powder: Best value for the bulk amount of quality mixed greens powder included (2 pounds). Full of superfoods like alfalfa, wheat grass, barley, apple pectin, red beet, chlorella, milk thistle, grapeseed, broccoli and much more.3. Body First Chlorella Powder – Organic: Pure, organic chlorella powder. Can’t beat the price either. One of our top picks!4. Biochem 100% Greens & Whey: A great blend of natural green superfoods and 100% whey protein. Makes for a great smoothie boost.5. Barlean’s Greens – Nature’s Perfect Superfood: Probably the highest quality superfood powder on the market. It’s also one of the most expensive. However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, you’ve found it.6. Klamath Blue Green Algae Powder: 100% pure blue green algae from Klamath, Oregon. Over 60% protein by weight and one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.7. Futurebiotics Certified Organic Digestive Greens: A tablet form of wheat grass, spirulina, barley grass and fennel sprout. Just in case you can’t handle all the powders8. Nutricology: ProGreens Powder: A great mix of greens rich in natural protein and healthy fats. Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for a smaller trial size tub of premium greens powder.9. Nutra Forme Cyto Greens for Athletes: An energy-packed superfood powder rich in natural greens, enzymes, fiber, and detoxifying herbs like milk thistle. A great all around greens powder for athletes, bodybuilders or even regular people looking for a natural energy boost.10. MRM Daily Energy Greens – 100% All Natural: 15,000 ORAC units per serving, 100% all natural greens.11. Eclectic Institute: Eclectic Institute makes many different freeze-dried superfood POW-ders (as they call them) that contain only 100% organic, natural & free-dried pure food extracts. An incredibly popular brand with plenty of healthy superfood powders to choose from.12. Body First Psyllium Husk Powder: Pure psyllium husks at an incredibly affordable price.13. NOW Fruit & Greens Phytofoods: A combination of both fruits and veggies at a great price.14. Jarrow Green Defense: A popular green superfood blend that has been formulated specifically with immune boosting plant powders.15. Green Foods Green Magma: Barley grass tablets that are rich in protein and chlorophyll. If you’re looking for a tablet greens powder, here you go!16. Nature’s life Green Whey Pro-96: Whey protein and greens superfoods, can you beat that combo? Makes for a delicious, healthy breakfast boost.17. Olympian Labs – Greens Protein 8 in 1: A hemp protein fortified greens protein powder. One of our most popular because it contains hemp, pea and brown rice protein and tastes great!18. Kyo-Green Energy (Powder): A great greens powder for those looking to increase their natural energy levels.19. Source Naturals Life Greens and Berries: A great blend of green foods and red, black, blue and purple berries containing a wide spectrum of powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.20. Pines Might Greens Superfood Blend: Premium blend of cereal grasses, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, royal jelly and many other superfoods.21. Paradise Herbs Orac-Energy Greens Powder: One of our most popular and complete greens powder containing fiber, enzymes, superfoods, probiotics and many extracts rich in nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and more.22. Irwin Naturals Organics – Greens & Fruits: This blend contains acai, blackberry, blueberry, lemon, peach, pineapple, alfalfa, spirulina, beet, broccoli, spinach, flax, green tea, ginger, papaya and more. Great blend for assisting with digestion, immune health and boosting natural energy levels.Crush em' up into a superfood powder!Yeah, there are definitely quite a few different superfood powders to browse through, and that’s not even a complete list. Realize that since there are so many superfood powders available, you need to find a few that you really like, ones that you enjoy taking each day, and then rotate between them. That way you can keep yourself motivated and consistent while also getting superfood nutrients from a variety of sources. I like to rotate through one greens superfood powder, one berry superfood powder, and one protein superfood powder. There’s no right or wrong “whey” (ha. ha) to take superfood powders, so have fun tasting different products and post a comment with your favorites!

Wonderful raw pumpkin seeds. I eat these for my homeopathic treatment of parasitic pinworm along with other natural home remedies. I'm still in the treatment process but these definitely help and taste good unlike the other natural remedies for pinworm. Eat them raw or blend 1 cup with about 1 cup plain yogurt and eat it as a parfait in the morning on an empty stomach followed by large glass of water. Wait at least 30min before eating breakfast. Plain yogurt (live culture yogurt) also aids in improving digestive problems. Intestinal Parasites are very hard to get rid of so make sure to try other natural remedies like garlic, clove, woodworm powder/capsules, papaya seeds along with eating pumpkin seeds. And do not eat anything that has sugar in it while you are doing the treatment, those worms live off of sugar!!

The package arrived with 2 separate air tight zip lock bags, problem was however that the opening was sealed shut so I couldn't access the seeds without making a separate cut alongside the edge to open it fully. Other than that annoyance the seeds taste fresh and are a good deal!

I could not find these locally, but of course, I did find them on amazon.com! Raw seeds are flexible. Most of the time, I just eat them raw, because I'm on a salt-restricted diet. On the rare occasions I want them roasted, I can do that wihout adding any salt. When making them up for guests, I can add sea salt before roasting. That's what I mean by "flexible". Raw seeds can be kept refrigerated for 1-2 months in a tightly sealed container without loss of flavor, but frozen can be kept for a year.Not only are they flexible, but they are outstandingly good! I use them a lot in vegetable salads, but sometimes I just eat a handful or two as a light snack. If you want to dry roast your own, here's how I do it: Heat oven to its lowest temperature(160-170 degrees F. Spread seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes. Higher temperature will cause break down of fats, creating free radicals you don't want. (Commercially roasted are generally heated to much higher temps) Remember, too, that roasted seeds have a shorter shelf life than raw. So there you have it.

I saw a package of roasted pumpkin seeds in store. The cost was almost what I paid for this 2 lb bag of seeds. These pumpkin seeds are fresh and plump. I sprayed about a cup of seeds with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Roasted at 350 for about 10-15 min. (Gently shake pan halfway through roasting to roast seeds evenly) Delicious and nutritious. I have sprinkled over salads, used in homemade granola, mixed with flax seeds and sprinkled over oatmeal, and just munched on them as a snack. Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan , helps you sleep, and a hand full with a small glass of milk are my favorite bedtime snack If you love pumpkin seeds this is an amazing bargain. These are bigger than the ones I have bought in stores. I recommend these to anyone that is trying to eat healthy and avoid preservatives. I will look for this seller again.