There are several reasons that fall is my favorite season.

Football, Halloween and fall foliage, are just a few things that sum up the many things I like about this time of year. And let’s add fall beers to that list, too. I could have any brewer’s Octoberfest all day long, although that would probably be a bad idea.

In the last few years, I’ve added another reason to the list for enjoying fall – pumpkins.

I’ve always liked jack-o-lanterns, but carving a pumpkin is not on the list. Call me what you will, but I hate scooping out the insides of a pumpkin.

However, things with a pumpkin flavor I’ve grown to like in recent years. Maybe it’s my tastes changing as I get older, but as a kid, I couldn’t stand the taste of pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin coffee and pumpkin beer are among those guilty fall pleasures, but all the stuff that’s added to those makes each one a not-so-healthy choice. So what is a healthy way to eat pumpkin?

First, it’s probably important to note that a pumpkin is a vegetable. It’s a good source of vitamin A and C, high in potassium, manganese, copper and riboflavin. Pumpkin has also been attributed to maintaining good eyesight and keeping your immune system strong.

Now, before you go buy a pumpkin, cut it up and start eating it raw, there are several healthy recipes online. A search for healthy pumpkin brought back recipes for soups and stews, along with healthy cakes, pies, muffins and bread.

There were several interesting, and even odd, recipes as well. EatingWell.com had one for pepperoni pizza that included pumpkin puree mixed into the tomato sauce. LowCarbDiets.com had another for ground beef and pumpkin sauté, that called for chunks of pumpkin.

And don’t forget what’s inside the pumpkin.

Unless you get a defective one, your pumpkin should have a whole lot of seeds in it. While you’re doing your carving, or cooking, let the seeds dry out and then roast them in the oven. You can add seasoning to them to get some extra flavor.

The best part about the seeds is that they are a good carbohydrate that has plenty of fiber. According to LowCarbDiets.com, the seeds might also have an anti-inflammatory effect and might help protect against prostate cancer and osteoporosis.

Who knew you could get all that from a pumpkin? Make sure you get two this fall – one for carving and one for cooking.

Joe Marchilena writes a weekly fitness column for Hampshire Hills. To find out more information about the “90 Day Commit to Get Fit” program, call 603-673-7123 or email hhinfo@hampshirehills.com.