By Niwen Hu
Translated by Ann Scott
‘Let’s Talk With Dr. Hu,’ translated and edited for clarity with permission of NTD Television.
Pumpkin is nutrient-rich, wholesome, and beneficial. It can aid weight loss, protect the eyes, and prevent stomach ulcers and prostate diseases.
As a low-sugar, low-calorie, and high-fiber superstar, pumpkin promotes satiety, helps you keep fit, and induces bowel movements. Its gooey texture owes to its richness in pectin, a fiber that prevents the body from absorbing excessive fat. Pumpkin is also mildly diuretic, reducing water retention and detoxifying the body.
Steamed Pumpkin and Pumpkin Rice for Weight Loss
One of the simplest pumpkin recipes for a weight-loss diet is steamed pumpkin. Simply place peeled, cubed pumpkin pieces in a rice cooker or steamer basket with water in the bottom and steam until softened. If you would like to try pumpkin rice, just steam the pumpkin cubes with rice. You’ll be amazed.
Ease Eye Fatigue With Pumpkin Soy Milk and Pumpkin Chowder
In recent years, overuse of mobile devices and computers has increased the risk of developing eye diseases. The young and old alike indulge in a great amount of screen time, leading to myopia, macular degeneration, and even cataracts. Pumpkin is plentiful in nutrients that can prevent such diseases and sharpen your night vision. If your children are hungry and have been studying after dusk, you could make them a glass of pumpkin soy milk to refresh them and ease eye fatigue.
Pumpkin Soy Milk
Dice 5 ounces of peeled pumpkin into cubes and steam until soft. Heat 2 1/2 cups soy milk and mix it with the steamed pumpkin in a blender.
Pumpkin Chowder
INGREDIENTS
- 18 ounces pumpkin, peeled and cubed
- Milk, 3/4 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons
- Water, about 1/2 cup
DIRECTIONS
Steam the cubed pumpkin pieces until they are soft. Put the pumpkin in a blender along with just enough water (about 1/2 cup) to facilitate mixing. Add the milk and blend well. Simmer the mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Protect the Stomach With Pumpkin Lattes and Pumpkin Porridge
A lifestyle of “métro, boulot, dodo,” or living to work, can be overwhelming, especially when you believe in maintaining healthy dietary and sleep habits. These days, peptic ulcer disease and duodenal ulcers are common illnesses among young office workers. Neglecting to treat such diseases can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal perforations. If you have experienced reflux or abdominal distention, you might have already developed peptic ulcer disease.
Don’t panic. Consuming pumpkin is one of the best natural ways to prevent peptic ulcer disease. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, eating pumpkin can promote healing, protect your stomach lining, stimulate bile production, and improve digestion. So why not make a pumpkin latte before you head to work?
Pumpkin Latte
INGREDIENTS
- 3 teaspoons mashed, cooked pumpkin
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup black coffee (omit coffee if the latte is for children)
DIRECTIONS
Blend brewed coffee, mashed pumpkin, and milk in a blender for 20 to 30 seconds. Add maple syrup to sweeten and cinnamon spice to taste.
Pumpkin Millet Porridge
Pumpkin Millet Porridge can promote healing of peptic ulcer disease and protect your stomach. It can boost metabolism and give you a refreshing start to the day.
INGREDIENTS
- 7 ounces pumpkin, peeled
- 3 3/4 tablespoons millet
DIRECTIONS
Slice the peeled pumpkin into cubes and rinse the millet. Pour the ingredients carefully into boiling water. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the porridge from sticking to the pot.
Chen Xiuyuan, a prestigious doctor during the Qing Dynasty, once reminded people that pumpkins can enrich the blood. Nutritional scientists today believe that pumpkin can boost the intake of minerals, such as cobalt, zinc, and iron, which are all essential for the blood. Pumpkin can help correct anemia and improve one’s complexion. (Common symptoms of anemia include feeling dizzy and lightheaded when standing up after sitting for a long time.)
Pumpkin Seeds for Prostate Health
The risk of developing prostate disease grows as a man gets older. However, in recent years, it is worrisome to see that the disease is also striking young men. In my clinic, some patients with this complaint are only around the age of 40. Some have difficulty urinating, while others urinate very frequently. During the night, some cannot rest well, as they need to urinate multiple times. Aside from aging, the symptoms may be due to one’s craving for sexual intercourse. Merely thinking about sex can enlarge one’s prostate. Therefore, it is healthy to deny incessant sexual urges.
Both pumpkin pulp and seeds can improve prostate health. Studies have shown that pumpkin seeds can improve urination speed and reduce frequent urination at night. If any of your family members suffer from these issues, you can recommend pumpkin seeds to them.
Pumpkin-Seed Milk
It is very easy to make pumpkin-seed milk from scratch: Grind 4 teaspoons of pumpkin seeds into powder. Blend the powder with milk and add some sugar to taste. You can drink this on a daily basis.
Despite all the remarkable benefits of eating pumpkin, I must remind you to not consume an excessive amount. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that eating too much pumpkin can induce beriberi and jaundice. Also, don’t eat pumpkin with mutton because the combination can lead to a bloated stomach. A healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits bring healthy rewards.
