This is the time of year for all things pumpkin, am I right? I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but there’s just something about Fall and the holiday season that makes the treats just taste better. I blame it on the gorgeous decorations and lights (not to mention, so many of our holiday traditions begin with food). However, since completely changing our family’s eating habits in order to combat chronic Lyme disease and autoimmune disease, we now focus on healthy pumpkin treats instead of indulgent ones! But trust me when I say – junk free doesn’t mean flavor free! These are just as delicious without harming your health in the process. You’ll thank me later.
Healthy Pumpkin Treats for Fall
Breakfast Pumpkin Cookies – These are one of my all-time favorites! They are easy, made with whole food ingredients, and delicious enough for breakfast without having to feel guilty. They’re kind of more of a breakfast bar than a dessert cookie, but that just makes it better in my book!
Pumpkin Spice Popsicles– I don’t know how the weather is where you are, but here in South Carolina, we don’t get fall weather until late October. So while me and my house are totally feeling the fall vibes, the weather hasn’t yet gotten the memo. These pumpkin spice popsicles are perfect for autumn cravings when it’s still hot out!
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Parfait – Pumpkin pie is a classic. But for those times when you don’t want to go all out and make the crust and deal with baking, this parfait is the perfect substitution. It can be whipped up in just a few minutes, and it tastes divine. No sweat, no oven, perfection!
Pumpkin Spice Ice (No) Cream– Who doesn’t love ice cream? It’s such a great treat for when the weather is warm (ahem, get with it Mother Nature- it’s September!) And with ice cream makers these days, it’s so easy to create healthy ice cream recipes that won’t load you up with sugar (or dairy if you can’t have that). If you’ve got some last-minute ice cream cravings before the summer weather leaves, then definitely check out this recipe!
Gluten Free Pumpkin Angel Food Cake – This cake is moist and delicious, and super easy to make. I absolutely love bringing fun treats to potlucks, and this gluten free angel food cake is my idea of healthy pumpkin treats to share. Can’t go wrong with cake, right?
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies – Oh my goodness. These look so amazing, and they bring me right back to my childhood. Little Debbie and I used to be BFF’s (and I wonder why I’m fighting so many health issues as an adult). I can’t wait to make these amazing little pies!
No Bake Paleo Pumpkin Pie – This recipe looks perfect for when you are hosting a dinner and need simple, healthy pumpkin treats to serve them. And the fact that it’s paleo means that it should be fine for most of those people with allergies!
Pumpkin Almond Spiced Fudge – You can never go wrong with fudge. Pumpkin flavored fudge sounds even more decadent, doesn’t it? If you’re looking for something unique for a get together this fall, then be sure to give this recipe a try!
I love everything about this time of year, but I’m not willing to sacrifice my health for the sake of endless indulgent goodies (and there are SO many of them around from September through December!) The best way to get through this season with your wellness intact and your waistline staying the same is to find healthier substitutions, limit yourself, and enjoy every bite. It’s all about the ingredients, y’all! You’re worth real food.
What are your favorite healthy pumpkin treats for fall?
Stefani,
I just want to thank you so much for your blog. I too have hochimoto disease. I was diagnosed last year with hypothyroidism. I started doing crossfiy back in 2012. Then all of a sudden I felt tired and sluggish. Brain fog is an understatement. After being diagnosed I was put on a low dose of thyroid meds. I felt better immediately. Then about 6 months later I felt worse. I started gaining weight again and made three trips to the ER for crazy high blood pressure and low blood oxygen level. After seeing the cardiologist I found that it had nothing to do with my heart. My liver enzymes are high and a trip to the endocrinologist confirmed what my general practitioner expected. I have been feeling hopeless and extremely uncomfortable. What I thought were panic attacks for no good reason, seemed to be sticking around. No diet or exercise was helping me with the weight. I just through my hands in the air and gave up trying to find something that worked. I started reading your blogs last night. I was in tears of joy to find someone who had the same symptoms I have been feeling. No one seemed to know why I was having the heart palpitations or panic attacks. I am a 46 year old grandmother. And my grandson is the light of my life. I am also very active in my church and with my family. I am a corrections officer with the state. So, keeping up with my physical strength and health is very important. I know there is a reason for everything… I have been begging God to help me find answers and a remedy for these issues. Thank God for your Pinterest site! I’m not sure where to begin my journey to better health. But am determined to start.
Thanks again.
May God richly bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Dawn Westerman
Dawn, I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through! I completely understand how frustrating it is to try and track down the root cause of seemingly unrelated symptoms, only to find out they are caused by the same things! I started this blog so that people like you and I wouldn’t feel like we are going through this frustrating (and sometimes hopeless) journey alone. I’m so glad that you found me! Some great resources for you would be this post, reading some of Izabella Wentz (www.thyroidpharmacist.com), and finding a functional medicine doctor near you to help you treat the root cause. This is not an easy journey, but it is worth it! If I can do it, so can you. XOXO