The Benefits of Eating Squash

During the winter months, we start seeing squash everywhere! Many people don’t know how to cook squash so that it’s tasty, but pumpkin can be one of the easiest squashes to incorporate into an athlete’s diet. A half cup of pumpkin contains 5 grams of fiber! Pumpkin contains alpha and beta-carotene, which are antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Vitamin C found in pumpkin helps boost your immunity, and potassium in pumpkin restores electrolyte balance after a workout. Look for this week’s recipe to see how easy it is to start gaining these nutritional benefits!

-Amy Goodson

Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD is a registered dietitian for Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and serves as the sports dietitian for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, FC Soccer Dallas, Jim McClean Golf School, Texas Christian University Athletics, and University of Texas at Arlington Athletics. In addition, she is an adjunct professor and dietetic intern preceptor for Texas Woman’s University, Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington and is a state media representative for the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. . She received her Bachelor of Science degree in speech communications from Texas Christian University and Masters in Exercise and Sports Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University.