Even if you don’t like regular winter squash, you’ll probably like spaghetti squash. It’s a type of winter squash that when cooked, can be separated from the outer shell in strings that resemble spaghetti, but is low in calories and loaded with nutrition. Another big benefit of spaghetti squash is its high fiber content. It has far more than traditional pasta, similar to most vegetables. Fiber is good for colon health and fills you up so you don’t eat as much, making it also good for weight loss.
Spaghetti squash is high in antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals. Like many foods, such as oranges, kale and spinach, it’s loaded with antioxidants. In this case it’s beta carotene and vitamin C. Both help prevent inflammation that can cause serious condition. Spaghetti squash also contains other nutrients, like magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin A, potassium and manganese.
Consider spaghetti squash if you want to maintain good dental health.
Just like all cells of your body, the cells in your mouth are susceptible to damage. The vitamin C in spaghetti squash can help protect your gums from gingivitis and other serious conditions. Lack of vitamin C can cause your gums to recede and if it continues, it can cause you to lose teeth. The vitamin A in spaghetti squash helps the tissues in the mouth, including those in the salivary glands. If you lack vitamin A, it causes weaker teeth.
Spaghetti squash also contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and contribute to both mental and physical health. How does omega-3 help mental health. One study on a particularly dangerous prison found that by increasing the amount of omega-3 in the diet of the prisoners, the amount of violence was reduced. A meta study also reached the same conclusion. The more omega-3 in the diet, the lower the incidents of aggression. While you need both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, the ideal amount is a ratio of one to two parts omega-6 to one part omega-3, in reality, the American diet is more often like 30 parts omega6 to 1 part omega-3.
- For anyone trying to control blood sugar levels, spaghetti squash is low glycemic. It won’t spike your blood sugar like the carbohydrate laden alternatives it replaces.
- You can cook spaghetti squash several ways. It can be microwaved, cut in half and baked, put in an instapot or cut in slices and baked. The hardest part of preparing it is cutting it, since the outside rind is thick and difficult to cut.
- Spaghetti squash seeds are also edible. You can roast the seeds like you do pumpkin seeds and consume them as a snack. They’re high in dietary fiber, vitamin A and C, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and thiamin. You can also sprout the seeds for salads.
- Consuming spaghetti squash regularly can reduce the risk of certain eye diseases, such as macular degeneration. It can reduce the risk of gout, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain types of cancer and improve brain functioning.
For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym