When it comes to fall flavors, nothing is quite as comforting as warm pumpkin bread straight out of the oven. With a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, sitting by the fire and soaking in the cozy weather with a baked treat is one of the best parts of the season.
This healthy pumpkin bread recipe is just that. It’s made with HUM’s Core Strength Protein powder, which is a vegan, easy-to-digest protein powder that makes this delicious fall staple even healthier while promoting blood sugar balance.
Why We Love This Healthy Protein Pumpkin Bread
Your run-of-the-mill pumpkin bread is going to be mostly carbs. And while carbs are not bad (our brain and heart run on primarily carbs, after all), it’s best to eat them paired with protein and healthy fats.
Sharp spikes in blood sugar levels can be detrimental to your mood, focus, and energy throughout the day—so it’s important to strive to keep your blood sugar balanced. Adding protein via Greek yogurt and HUM’s Core Strength Protein Powder gives this bread an advantage over the average one, because it will digest more slowly (while also being easy on your gut) and give your body plenty of time to process the carbs without giving you a sugar rush.
Health Benefits of This Pumpkin Protein Bread Recipe
HUM’s Core Strength Protein Powder has a great warm vanilla flavor, which makes it perfect for sneaking more protein into fall treats, especially if you’re trying to get more protein in your diet. Digestive enzymes like lipase and lactase, along with L. acidophilus aid the body in digesting and absorbing nutrients so you get the most out of your food.
Another reason I love this protein powder is because it is a complete protein. The combination of pumpkin, hemp, and pea proteins contains all nine essential amino acids. It can be tricky to find vegan sources of complete proteins, so that’s a perk of this powder.
It’s also high in iron, ideal for those on a plant-based diet who are not consuming animal products, which tend to be a major source of iron in the diet. Plus, 20g of protein per serving makes it filling for weight loss. Protein is also needed for building lean muscle, which increases metabolic rate, further aiding in maintaining weight loss.
The star ingredient of this recipe is, of course, pumpkin. Pumpkins have numerous health benefits. For starters, they are low in calories (just 30 calories per cup) while being nutrient-dense.
They also contain plenty of fiber which promotes healthy digestion and gut health. Vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, iron, and more give it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
These nutrients make pumpkin a great way to boost overall health while supporting weight loss or maintenance goals, reducing signs of aging, and combating damage from free radicals we encounter in our day-to-day lives.