Make Your Own Pie to Cut Calories

I am a lucky girl, especially during the holidays.

I try not to brag about it too much, but my husband cooks. The best part is that he’s really good at it.

It’s something he learned in college out of financial necessity. But as you get older and more health conscious, you realize that not only is making your own food less expensive than eating out, it’s usually better for you.

If you’re trying to lose weight, creating your own meals is one of the best ways to cut back calories and fat while increasing nutrition.

Take, for instance, the pumpkin pie.

If you buy one from the store, you’re going to be eating ingredients that you can’t even pronounce.

Using canned pumpkin and following a recipe may be no healthier either. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, lurks in cans. This so-called endocrine disruptor has been linked to infertility, breast and prostate cancers, diabetes and obesity.

I don’t know about you, but that’s not what I’m looking for in a piece of pie.

When I get to dessert this Thanksgiving, I’m going to fully enjoy knowing that my husband used fresh pie pumpkins for his recipe. In five minutes flat, he had them cut, scooped and sliced for the steamer.

Did I mention I’m a lucky girl?

Alice Warchol is a freelance health writer and fitness instructor.

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