Beyond Pumpkin Spice: Ideas for Embracing All the Great Fall Flavors

As United Supermarkets Corporate Dietician Brenda Garcia says, some people really love pumpkin spice, and others don't care for it too much.

Whatever side you take, never fear: There are so many other great fall flavors to incorporate in your meal planning. Brenda and her team at Happy + Nourished shared some great ideas and recipes with us:

Cinnamon

Cinnamon tricks your brain into thinking you're eating something a little sweeter than you actually are, Brenda said. So you can add it to your oatmeal or coffee as a way to reduce your sugar intake. You can even add cinnamon to your coffee grounds before you brew the coffee. Here are a few more options:

• Roasted Cinnamon Apples and Sweet Potatoes
• Crockpot Cinnamon Apple Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Fall Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Chips

Maple

Maple is another fall flavor that can serve as a sugar substitute. Brenda particularly likes using it on roasted vegetables for a salty-sweet combination. Here are a few more ideas:

• Sage and Maple Roasted Chickpeas
• Dijon Maple Green Beans
• Maple Beef Mushroom Meatballs

Pumpkin/Pumpkin Seeds

Nothing says fall more than pumpkins, right? And you can use practically any part of the pumpkin in your sweet and savory dishes. Here are some of our favorites from Happy + Nourished:

• Pumpkin Hummus
• Warm Kale Salad with Apples and Toasted Pepitas
• Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

If you're using pumpkins for decorating, don't forget that United Supermarkets carries several sizes and varieties of pumpkins and gourds to embellish your home and tablescapes.

And don't forget: Happy + Nourished is stuffed with recipes, nutrition ideas, and product recommendations. If you scroll to the bottom of their main page, you can sign up for their newsletter, which sends you helpful tips and ideas right to your inbox!