Pumpkin Seed Nutrition Facts

Pumpkin seeds are a satisfying snack for the many healthy eaters who love crunchy foods. Who doesn't love a handful of savory seeds? But whether you make them at home or buy them in the store can make a difference in pumpkin seed calories and pumpkin seed nutrition.

Pumpkin Seeds Calories

The worst thing about pumpkin seeds is that it's hard to eat a single serving. A single one-ounce serving is about 85 seeds. When is the last time you counted your pumpkin seeds before tossing them into your mouth? It's not likely that anyone does. For that reason, pumpkin seed calories can derail your diet if you're trying to slim down.

You'll consume 126 calories and benefit from five grams of protein when you eat pumpkin seeds. A single serving of pumpkin seeds provides 15 grams of carbohydrate, but only ten grams of net carbs, since the serving also provides five grams of fiber.

And what if you make your pumpkin seeds at home? Most recipes require that you roast the seeds in oil or butter and sprinkle salt on top. These are the numbers you need to add (for the full recipe) if you use standard roasting methods.

Calories in Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

• If you roast the seeds in one tablespoon of butter, add 102 calories, 12 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat and 2 milligrams of sodium.

• If you roast the seeds in one tablespoon of olive oil add 119 calories, 14 grams of fat, 1.9 grams of saturated fat (but 10 grams of monounsaturated fat and 1.4 grams of polyunsaturated fat) and zero sodium.
• If you sprinkle one teaspoon of salt onto your big batch of roasted seeds, add 2325 milligrams of sodium to the nutrition for the entire recipe and divide that amount by the number of servings to find out how much-added sodium you will consume.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Even if you overeat pumpkin seeds, you are still providing your body with good nutrition—most of the time. Pumpkin seeds without added oil, butter, salt, or seasonings provide a nice boost of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat (also known as "healthy fat"), they are low in sodium, and relatively high in protein, especially for a snack food.

Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, according to the USDA.

The best thing about pumpkin seeds is the dose of diet-friendly fiber you get when you eat them. Eating fiber helps you to curb unruly hunger cravings and eat moderately all day long. If you are trying to reach or maintain a healthy weight, fiber is your friend.

But not all pumpkin seeds provide the same benefits. If you buy processed or packaged pumpkin seeds, you're likely to get an extra dose of fat and sodium.

For example, popular brands of pumpkin seed packets that you see in the candy store can provide up to three grams of fat and a whopping 815 milligrams of sodium per one-ounce serving.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Roasting pumpkin seeds is simple. Just follow these steps.

1. After you remove the seeds from a pumpkin, rinse them thoroughly and remove any stringy, wet pulp that is attached to them.

1. Place them in a bowl and add oil or seasonings if you prefer. Salt is the most popular seasoning, but you can also try paprika, chili powder, parmesan or Indian spices. Some people prefer a sweet taste and add sugar, brown sugar or cinnamon.
2. Spread the seeds in a thin layer on a large cookie sheet.
3. Place in a preheated 300-degree oven for about 30 minutes.
4. Allow your batch of pumpkin seeds to cool slightly before digging in.

When your batch of seeds is roasted and chilled, seal them in an airtight container and store at room temperature.

Healthy Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds 

Of course, you can grab a small handful of pumpkin seeds to snack on at any time.

Although, you'll control portions better if you don't eat them straight from a large container. Instead, measure a few tablespoons from the jar or tub and put them in a bowl.

Pumpkin seeds also make a great topping for soups and salads. If you like to make healthy wraps, you can also toss a few into a turkey wrap with hummus for a savory, crunchy meal. If you love eggs in the morning, you can also sprinkle them on top of scrambled or fried eggs.