If you are concerned about obtaining enough protein in your diet, especially if you don't eat meat, try pumpkin seeds. One cup of pumpkin seeds contains 33.87 g of protein. Grinding pumpkin seeds allows your body to be better able to take advantage of the nutrients the seeds have to offer.
Step 1
Cover 1 cup of pumpkin seeds with distilled water and soak them overnight. This makes them easier for your body to break down and benefit from the protein. Dry the seeds before grinding them.
Step 2
Grind your pumpkin seeds in a coffee grinder, blender or food processor until they become a powder coarse in texture.
Step 3
Add the powder to smoothies, homemade granola bars or baked goods, or sprinkle it on cereal or salad.
Tips and Warnings
- In addition to protein, pumpkin seeds add a significant amount of iron to your diet, with 4 mg per ounce. However, this is the non-heme type of iron, which is not as easily absorbed by your body as the heme type that comes from animal sources of food. Include a variety of seeds in your diet, as sunflower and sesame seeds contain more fiber, folic acid, vitamin E, calcium and niacin than pumpkin seeds.
Things You'll Need
- Blender, food processor or coffee grinder
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