Canned pumpkin: Better than fresh?

I heard that canned pumpkin is healthier than fresh pumpkin. Is that true?

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Answer

Not necessarily. Fresh foods generally have a higher nutrient content than do cooked or canned foods. But both fresh and canned pumpkins are packed with nutrition. Whether you choose fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin, you'll get plenty of potassium, vitamin A, alpha carotene, beta carotene and other nutrients. If you choose fresh pumpkin for bread, soup, pie or other recipes, bake the seeds for a wholesome, crispy snack. If you're looking for convenience, canned pumpkin without salt is a healthy alternative. Just remember to read the labels carefully. Some recipes call for canned pumpkin, and others call for canned pumpkin pie mix.

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