Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (2024)

You know which pie you prefer, but is apple pie healthier than pumpkin pie? We break it down, slice by slice.

By

Lisa Valente, M.S., RD

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (1)

Lisa Valente is a registered dietitian and former senior digital nutrition editor for EatingWell. She studied at the University of Vermont, where she completed her undergraduate studies in nutrition, food science and dietetics, and attended the dietetic internship program at Massachusetts General Hospital to become a registered dietitian.

Updated on November 8, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (2)

Reviewed by DietitianJessica Ball, M.S., RD

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

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In This Article

  • Apple Pie
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Which Is Healthier?
  • The Bottom Line

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (3)

Thanksgiving pie is arguably most people's favorite part of the meal: If it's Thanksgiving, there must be pie. And let's be clear: There is no need to skip your favorite dessert in the name of "eating healthy" on a holiday. Enjoy your pie, pumpkin or apple, and know that one day a year is not going to make or break a healthy eating pattern. All foods fit in moderation.

That said, you may be wondering if one pie has a nutritional leg up on another. Is apple the healthier choice? Or does pumpkin pie reign supreme? And are there any differences between the calories in pumpkin pie or apple pie? Here's what we found when we looked at the two side-by-side.

Apple Pie

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (4)

Pictured Recipe: Cinnamon Swirl Apple Pie

Let's start with apple pie. It's made from fruit, so it must be good for you...right? While apples are healthy—they're loaded with fiber (about 4 grams in one medium apple, per the USDA), vitamin C and antioxidants—coating them with sugar and dumping them in a buttery crust does change things a bit. Plus, apple pies normally come with double crusts, which means more calories.

Pumpkin Pie

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (5)

Pictured Recipe: Light and Luscious Pumpkin Pie

As for pumpkin pie, here we start with a vegetable. The pumpkin is loaded with fiber—7 g in 1 cup, per the USDA. And like all orange foods, pumpkins are packed with carotenoids, which can help tackle free radicals and decrease inflammation. Of course, to turn that vegetable into a pie, we add sugar and a crust, so the pumpkin's not quite as pure as it was in its original vegetable state.

Which Is Healthier?

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (6)

Pictured Recipe: Butter Pastry Dough

The nutrition will vary depending on which pie you make, but here's the breakdown comparing our Deep-Dish Apple Pie and our Best Easy Pumpkin Pie:

Apple Pie

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (7)

One serving of our Deep-Dish Apple Pie has the following nutrition:

  • Calories: 345
  • Carbohydrates: 62 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Sugars: 33 g
  • Added Sugars: 17 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Sodium: 147 mg
  • Potassium: 213 mg

Pumpkin Pie

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (8)

One serving of our Best Easy Pumpkin Pie has the following nutrition:

  • Calories: 252
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugars: 26 g
  • Added Sugars: 19 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Sodium: 115 mg
  • Potassium: 105 mg

In the pumpkin pie, calories, carbs and sodium are lower, while protein is higher. But the apple pie takes the cake when it comes to fiber and potassium, and it has less added sugar. So what's a pie aficionado to do? Well, if you want to consume fewer calories, go for the pumpkin—it almost always has fewer because of the single crust. You could also take a sliver of both pies.

The Bottom Line


The holidays often feature foods we might not get at other times of the year. So enjoy your favorites, including pie. Remember the big picture. A holiday is one day out of the year and won't make or break a healthy eating pattern, so go for whatever pie you like best—even if it's both.

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Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? (2024)

FAQs

Which Pie Is Healthier: Apple or Pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin pie is a better choice. Usually, it is not as decadently dressed as apple pie, so you receive more of the fruit's nutrients— antioxidants like vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Each piece has a whopping 43 grams less sugar than apple pie and a surprising five grams of protein.

Is pumpkin pie healthy or unhealthy? ›

According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we should all be eating 2 cups of orange veggies each week. Pumpkin pie can help meet these recommendations plus that brilliant orange color provides the antioxidants vitamin A and lutein.

Which fruit pie is healthiest? ›

But the apple pie takes the cake when it comes to fiber and potassium, and it has less added sugar. So what's a pie aficionado to do? Well, if you want to consume fewer calories, go for the pumpkin—it almost always has fewer because of the single crust. You could also take a sliver of both pies.

Which is healthier pecan pie or pumpkin pie? ›

Pecan pie contains more calories but offers you plenty of nutrients that you can't find in any other pie. On the other hand, pumpkin pies have a lower calorie content. But pumpkins contain fewer nutrients compared to pecans. Hence, both of these pies are healthy in their own way.

Is apple pie good for your body? ›

Apple pie can undoubtedly give you your daily dose of fat requirements. With a slice of apple pie, you get to eat proteins that are required in building and repairing muscles and tissues. It is likewise important in creating antibodies to boost your defenses. Proteins are also known for aiding in proper metabolism.

Is pumpkin pie better for you than apple pie? ›

It's also lower in calories and fat compared to apple pie. Pumpkin pie contains more dietary fiber than apple pie, thanks to the pumpkin puree. Fiber is essential for digestive health and can help regulate blood sugar levels, making pumpkin pie a better choice for those watching their sugar intake," Afzal states.

Which pie is the unhealthiest? ›

Pork pie is quite unhealthy. A traditional British meat pie, eaten cold made of chopped pork, pork fat, and jellied pork stock.

Which is healthier sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? ›

However, if you place the two in a side-by-side comparison, sweet potato generally outpaces pumpkin in its nutritional makeup from vitamin A to fiber to protein. While pumpkin is a light, low sugar option, sweet potatoes do more heavy lifting and will ultimately feed your body more essential nutrients.

What is the least popular pie in the United States? ›

The least popular types of pies were salted caramel, gooseberry, blueberry and peach, all being the most popular in only one state each.

Do pie pumpkins have more sugar? ›

Processing pumpkins, sometimes called “pie” or “sweet” pumpkins, are more desirable for baking or cooking. These pumpkins have high sugar content, are more flavorful, less watery, and have smooth-textured flesh. Pie pumpkins are generally smaller and have a less grainy texture compared to jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

Is apple pie or pecan pie healthier? ›

With an astounding 620 calories per slice, pecan pie dominates the contest from a caloric standpoint. Pecans themselves provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and are thought to be healthy for the heart.

Are apple pies high in sugar? ›

It typically contains a significant amount of sugar, flour, and fat. It is advisable to control your glucose levels before and after eating an apple pie.

Does pumpkin pie have any health benefits? ›

With one cup containing more than 200% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, pumpkins make an excellent dietary choice to protect your eyes. The ever-versatile beta-carotene also protects your skin from wrinkle-causing UV rays; but pumpkin pulp makes for quite the effective exfoliating face mask as well!

Can you eat apple pie on a diet? ›

Apple pies are wonderful, but they can have a few too many calories for some diets. If you still want to enjoy this classic dessert, you can make it a little healthier by cutting out some of the sugar.

Which is better, sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? ›

Pumpkin pie tends to be more heavy on spice, while sweet potato pie is typically sweeter and lighter. But the reasons why people choose one over the other often trace back to where they were raised and their race.

Is pumpkin pie bad for cholesterol? ›

One of the most popular holiday treats — pumpkin pie — is often loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol. With adjustments, everyone can enjoy this traditional dessert.

Is canned pumpkin really healthy? ›

One cup of canned pumpkin, for example, contains 137 calories but provides more than 200 percent of the daily value for vitamin A, 36 percent of vitamin K, 25 percent of fiber and 22 percent of vitamin E. It's also a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, riboflavin, iron and potassium.

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