Don’t you just love all of the fun fall flavors that the season brings!

Butternut squash is not only great tasting but also good for you. Let’s find out how!

It’s about that time of year when a variety of unique produce find their way to our plates during the fall harvest season. One of those foods is the sweet and nutty gourd, butternut squash! It’s a bit of a staple in foods this time of year, most for its earthy undertones, warm color, and its ability to be used in a variety of dishes! 

Mealfit is dedicated to bringing healthier meal options to every table, especially for those that live a busy, on-the-go lifestyle! We’ve created a number of resources to help achieve that goal, from our Weekly Specials and Individual Meals, to our Meals by the Pound selection, Recipe Catalogue, and even our Educational Blog! So when we get a chance to encourage people to learn more about the food they are putting into their bodies and opt for more fresh ingredients, we get so excited about it! 

Butternut squash is one of those ingredients that we think should be in everyone’s diet this fall, and not just because it tastes great! Butternut squash is actually packed with a ton of health benefits and properties, so let’s explore all that butternut squash has to offer you this fall season! 

Image by Gemma Evans

Great for Lowering Cholesterol

For a lot of people, managing cholesterol levels can be a tricky and time-consuming task. Finding food that can help to lower cholesterol levels is not easy, and finding food that tastes good and lowers cholesterol levels? That’s an entirely different game! Luckily, this hearty fruit (yes, butternut squash is a fruit!) is filled with cholesterol-lowering properties that also aid in lowering blood pressure! This is due to the high fiber content, which can affect the body in a lot of ways (see below)! 

Image by Nick Collins

High in Fiber

Fiber plays a vital role in a healthy diet and lifestyle, particularly when it comes to balancing the digestive system. Making sure that the digestive tract is able to pass waste in the most effective way, fiber can aid in keeping your bodily systems functioning smoothly and keeping you in a good mood! Butternut squash ranks highly in terms of fiber content, making it an ideal candidate for regulating several of your health systems!  

Image by Tom Paolini

Gluten-Free

Many people deal with difficulties digesting gluten every day. Whether from a gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or even something as simple as a change in lifestyle, a diet that minimizes or eliminates gluten can be very difficult to maintain! There are some foods that do not naturally contain gluten, such as fruits and vegetables, and these are the perfect choice for those avoiding gluten! This includes butternut squash! Though, if you are one of these people hoping to avoid gluten, be sure to check ingredients of any dish not made by yourself. Just because butternut squash is gluten-free does not mean a dish using butternut squash is! 

Image by Viviana Rishe 

Fat-Free

Paying attention to the levels of fat in one’s diet is pretty important for living a healthy lifestyle. There are some necessary fats that are part of a healthy diet, but there are also fats that can lead to trouble if they are consumed in excess! On average, a single serving of butternut squash has less than one gram of fat, making it considered a fat-free food! Foods low in fats are ideal to keep you feeling full to prevent overconsumption of less than ideal foods! 

Image by Louis Hansel

Low in Sodium

Butternut squash is a winter squash low in sodium! Sodium can impact your health in a variety of ways, including your cardiovascular health, digestive system, and even your nervous system! Things can become particularly tricky if too much sodium finds its way into your body, and with the amount of preservatives used in most foods today, it can be difficult to find food that isn’t saturated in sodium. Typically, fresh ingredients are your best bet for taking control of what you put into your body, and when it comes to sodium levels, butternut squash is an ideal low-sodium option! 

Tasty Recipes that Feature Butternut Squash

Now that we’ve gone over a few of the health benefits that butternut squash brings to the table, let’s get to the good part of the article: tasty butternut squash recipes! 

Mealfit Butternut Squash Lasagna

Sit back and relax with this easy, cozy, and delectable butternut squash lasagna recipe from your friends here at Mealfit! 

Image by Eatwell 101

Garlic Butter Roasted Butternut Squash 

Enjoy the homestyle goodness of this flavorful and aromatic recipe courtesy of Veronica Brandy over at Eatwell 101!

Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese

Try out some new flavors, you never know what will become your new favorite! This recipe features a butternut squash-ified take on the creamy-gooey goodness that is macaroni and cheese, thanks to the work of Laura Manzano at Delish!

There are so many things to celebrate when it comes to the wondrous winter squash aside from what we’ve talked about here. For example, butternut squash is rich in vital nutrients such as Vitamins A, C and alpha and beta carotene! It tastes great and can be prepared in a variety of ways, and it’s good for you, making it the perfect highlight to your fall-inspired meals this season! 

We hope you enjoy this article for 5 Health Benefits of Butternut Squash. If you tried incorporating these things into your regular routine, make sure to let us know! For more recipes, follow us on social media and make sure to check out our weekly blog posts where we share our new favorite recipes and must-know facts about food and living a healthy lifestyle! Check out the other meal options Mealfit provides such as our Weekly Specials, Individual Meals, and other Meals by the Pound.