You’ve waited all year, and it’s finally here: pumpkin season! From hot spiced lattes to fluffy, whipped cream-topped pies, pumpkin treats appear at every turn. But sadly, fall’s favorite flavor often comes with unwanted calories, fat grams and guilt. That yummy pumpkin coffee drink? Go for a large and you’ll need to factor in 13 grams of fat and nearly 400 calories to your daily count. Instead, sip on something that’s just as seasonally sweet, with cleaner, more wholesome and diet-friendly ingredients.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Serves 2
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 ripe medium-sized banana
3/4 cup fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice
In blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth. Crush ice completely.
Protein Pumpkin Smoothie
Serves 2
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 frozen banana, sliced
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of ground ginger
Optional: crushed ice
In blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth.
Yogurt Pumpkin Smoothie
Serves 2
2 cups fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 cup light vanilla soy milk
2 Tbsp. sugar or natural sweetener of choice (to taste)
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp. cinnamon
2 cups ice
In blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth.
Vegan Chai-Pumpkin Smoothie
Serves 2
½ cup chai tea, cold
½ cup pumpkin puree
¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Optional: stevia, to taste
Ice
In blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth.