1)The watermelon is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including square, round, oval, striped, or spotted. This new shape saves space, thanks to Japanese farmers who have grown them in square glass jars.
2) Only 50 calories in a cup (it is 92 percent water and 12 percent sugar) of watermelon, which burns more calories in digestion than it takes in. Have another slice.
3) Get your vitamins A and C by eating watermelon. One cup contains about 20% of your daily requirements for these vitamins that boost the immune system and fight disease.
4) Eat it ripe to get a boost of antioxidants. Dark pink melon is more lycopene-rich than light pink melon.
5)Chilled cubes of melon can stay fresh for up to several days. Make your fruity salads in advance.
6) Use it as a post-workout recovery drink by juicing the watermelon. Citrulline in watermelon helps reduce muscle pain.
7) Seed-spitting competitions are history now that we’ve learned melon seeds contain 1g of protein for every 24 seeds (a couple of slices). Add them to a salad or roast with sea salt.
8) Eat some watermelon or drink the juice to ease bloating and fluid retention. Watermelon is a natural diuretic.
9) Dried melon can be enjoyed all year round. Chop it up and dry it in the oven on its lowest setting.
10) Add it to salads or a cheese platter for a new twist.
Did you know?
- Watermelon’s red color is due to the antioxidant lycopene.
- You can also eat the seeds – they are a great source of protein.
- The rind can be eaten – add it to stir-fries or pickle it.
- The watermelon is both a fruit and a vegetable. It’s classified as a fruit because it contains seeds. However, this beautiful pink-fleshed beauty belongs to the gourd (think pumpkin or cucumber). Enjoy it as a dessert or in your meals.