I frequently let my boys choose what they want to eat; foraging among the healthy foods we stock in our refrigerator and pantry. As such, they tend to go through mini food trends. Last week, my 6-year old ate tons of celery and peanut butter (you can read about it HERE). This week’s snack of choice? Pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are a great, healthy snack. They’re easy to grab. They’re ready to go, unless you’re roasting them yourself. And they taste great. We typically purchase ours raw and organic. Sometime I roast them, sometimes I soak and then dehydrate them, and sometimes we eat them just as they come. This has been a straight from the jar sort of week.

Pumpkin seeds are more alkaline-forming than most seeds. They are rich in minerals such as magnesium and zinc as well as antioxidants such as Vitamins K, B and E. They contain phytosterols, which promote healthy cholesterol levels, and tryptophan, which helps with good sleep. They are also rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and plant-based omega-3s.

If you’re looking for a snack that you can simply toss in your bag and eat on the go, pumpkin seeds (or spicy pumpkin seeds, if you’re looking for a little zing) are a good choice.