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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter.

I am tired of seeing recipes that are fall-themed and every single thing on there has pumpkins. Do I like pumpkins? Probably. Do I like pumpkin-flavored foods? Kind of. Do I like pumpkins being the only fall food ever? No, I do not. My roommate hates pumpkin-flavored foods (yes, that includes Pumpkin Spice Lattes) with a passion, and suggested I write an article providing alternatives to anything pumpkin related. So here we go.

Instead of pumpkin spiced lattes, try an iced chai

As the biggest fan of anything chai, I think iced chai lattes are maybe the backbone of our society. An iced chai is perfect for any season, but an iced chai in autumn? Exquisite. I do like pumpkin spiced lattes, but chai is *naturally* “spicy.” You don’t even need the word spice in the name. Anyways, please drink iced chai more, this is coming from an Indian girl and you can trust me when it comes to anything chai.

Roommate’s Rating: She has never had it but I drink it every other day so I give it 5 out of 5 pumpkins.

coffee
Photo by Alex on Unsplash
banana bread > Pumpkin Bread

I’m sorry, but it is 2021. So why are we still eating pumpkin bread? Banana bread is right there, and it is way better than pumpkin bread. Pumpkin bread is just a little too dry for my taste, but banana bread is perfect for any time of the day, and helps you receive your daily dose of potassium without dealing with the awful texture of bananas.

Roommate’s Rating: 5 out of 5 pumpkins

close-up of sliced loaf of bread on oval wooden plate
Photo by Marta Dzedyshko from Pexels
Apple pie over pumpkin pie, 24/7

Okay, this is actually a lie because I prefer pumpkin pie over apple pie. I honestly don’t remember the last time I’ve ate apple pie. However, my roommate, certified pumpkin hater, is team apple pie any day of the week. She claims pumpkin pie smells like baby food, and that automatically makes apple pie the superior autumn pie. You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Roommate’s Rating: 4 out of 5 pumpkins

Apple Pie Top Down
Jocelyn Hsu / Spoon
Instead of pumpkin soup, try literally any other soup

I am a soup fan, my roommate is not a soup fan. However, both of us can agree that pumpkin soup is disgusting. This fall, please stay away from pumpkin soup and embrace the soups that aren’t awful. My personal favorite soup is minestrone soup, with tomato soup (and a grilled cheese on the side) as a close second behind. You can literally get sippable tomato soup for an actual dollar (it’s quite the experience). Both are perfect fall soups, but my roommate insists that chicken noodle soup (specifically from Panera) is the actual best alternative to pumpkin soup.

Roommate’s Rating: 5 out of 5 pumpkins for Panera’s Chicken Noodle Soup, everything else is irrelevant

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Irina via Unsplash
Snickerdoodles > Pumpkin spiced cookies

I’m sorry, but I truly do not get why fall brings out the pumpkin spiced cookies. I have never seen anyone be thrilled over a pumpkin-flavored cookie until the leaves start turning brown, and truly, I think everyone who enjoys these cookies are lying. Snickerdoodles are literally as soft, easy to make, and give off as much fall vibes as pumpkin spiced cookies would. My roommate thinks oatmeal cookies (no raisins, of course) give off fall vibes too, and sugar cookies are a good alternative, even if they give off Christmas vibes.

Roommate Rating: 4 out of 5 pumpkins, unless her mom makes the snickerdoodles

Cookies Snickerdoodle
Jocelyn Hsu / Spoon

I hope you enjoyed me and my roommate being haters. My roommate has some final words of wisdom this fall season: #BOOtopumpkins. Get it?

Hi! My name is Ananya and I'm a junior double majoring in Biology and Journalism and I am on the pre-med track. I'm really interested in pop culture, and I like to write about celebrities and fashion. I'm also the most opinionated person I know unfortunately so I have something to say about every form of media I consume, whether it be music, film, or books. In my free time, I like to watch movies and listen to music with my friends, go thrifting or window shopping and go on drives. I love meeting new people so I'm always joining clubs and organizations! I am President (or Campus Correspondent) of Her Campus KU, but I started out as a writer my freshman year since I was a fan of Her Campus articles when I was a senior in high school. I became the Vice President my sophomore year where I was in charge of attendance and the newsletter and now that I am president, I run the meetings every week! Other than Her Campus KU, I am a part of volunteer organizations on campus such as hiKU and Hearts for the Homeless, along with the pre-medical co-ed professional fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon where I am the social justice chair, and cultural organizations like Asian American Student Union (AASU) and South Asian Student Association (SASA).