The Testosterone Blueprint
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Smoky Toasted Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds

Pumpkin and sunflower seeds toasted in a dry pan and tossed with smoked paprika and garlic. A crunchy vegan snack with 7g of protein a portion, free from nuts, soya and sesame, ready in 10 minutes.

Snack

10

Serves 4

A small dark blue cup filled with toasted sunflower seeds and a few pumpkin seeds on a wooden board, with more seeds scattered around it

Ingredients

  • 40g/1½oz/⅓ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 80g/3oz/⅔ cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 tsp (5ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika, a quarter tsp garlic powder and a pinch of salt

Method

  1. Put the pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a large dry frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat. Toast for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until the sunflower seeds are lightly golden and the pumpkin seeds start to pop.
  2. Take the pan off the heat, add the oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder and salt and stir until the seeds are evenly coated.
  3. Tip onto a plate and leave to cool completely; they crisp up as they cool.
  4. Store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks. A portion is about 30g (3 tablespoons).

Why it works

A 30g portion gives you about 7g of protein for 195 calories, with only 3g of carbohydrate.

Why pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are one of the richest plant sources of zinc and magnesium. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, which is why this snack is tagged for testosterone. Sunflower seeds add vitamin E.

Why it is tagged for blood sugar. With very little carbohydrate and plenty of protein and fat, a portion of seeds has little effect on blood sugar.

Watch the portion. Seeds are rich in fat, so the calories add up quickly. Measure out 30g, about 3 tablespoons, rather than eating from the jar. Toast them over a medium heat and keep stirring, as they burn quickly.

Free from nuts, peanuts, soya, sesame and gluten as written; check the packs for "may contain" warnings if you have an allergy. For a seed snack you can bake ahead, try the pumpkin seed and oat bites.