I was astonished the other week when I saw pumpkins for sale outside the grocery stores. Upon entering the stores, I was surprised even further to see all the Halloween candy and decorations for sale.
Then finally, out come all the PUMPIN SPICE foods. Ugh.
Don't get me wrong. I adore pumpkin spice...when it involves real pumpkin, which is very healthy, and when it includes actual spices, like cinnamon, which is also very healthy. But those popular pumpkin spice foods and drinks we are seeing everywhere contain neither.
They contain pumpkin spice flavoring, manufactured in a lab somewhere, and a lot...no, wait! A whole, whole lot of... you guessed it: SUGAR.
How crazy has the pumpkin spice craze gotten? First, I already mentioned how early in the season retailers are trotting out these products. Now consider the various processed food brands.
Although I didn't check every ingredient list, it's probably safe to assume there is no real pumpkin in these products, but instead pumpkin flavoring and lots and lots of sugar. You've got your:
PUMPKIN SPICE
- Eggo Waffles
- M and Ms
- Kraft Marshmallows
- Oatmeal,
- Oreo Cookies
- Extra Chewing Gum
- Milano Cookies
- Chobani yogurt
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
- ...and of course the thing that started it all: PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES.
Starbucks was the first company to realize Americans can't get enough of pumpkin spice. Ten years ago they introduced their Pumpkin Spice Latte and their customers went bonkers over them.
They've sold over 200 million of the sugary drinks, making it their most popular seasonal beverage, beating-out all those unhealthy Christmas offerings like Eggnog and Peppermint Lattes.
Naturally, Dunkin' Doughnuts and McDonald's jumped on the Pumpkin Spice Latte bandwagon and have been experiencing enormous success with them.
THIS IS A PROBLEM.
These products are very bad for your health! They project the illusion of goodness, home and hearth, evoking a feeling of wholesome nostalgia. But they are nothing more than sugar and artificial flavorings, which will destroy your body.
McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin Spice lattes contain high fructose corn syrup, fructose, potassium sorbate, and disodium phosphate. Starbucks' offering also contains potassium sorbate and lots of sugar and artificial flavors....NO PUMPKIN!
If you really have a craving for a pumpkin spice latte, make your own using real pumpkin, no chemicals, and very little sugar. There are lots of recipes online.
Here's one from the good folks at Betty Crocker:
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 tablespoon sugar (or less to taste!)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (if you don't have it, see below how to make your own)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup hot brewed coffeeDirections:
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, pumpkin and sugar over medium heat until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, the vanilla and coffee. Pour into 2 large mugs. For added flare, garnish each with whipped cream, dash pumpkin pie spice and a cinnamon stick.
Remember, pumpkin is a wonderfully healthy food. Canned is arguably better than fresh and it's affordable! Just make sure to check the pumpkin food you're eating actually contains pumpkin.
Or better yet, make it yourself!