What Diet

Calories in Watermelon

Calories in watermelon and much more about the benefits of watermelon as part of a diet and how to take advantage of the low calories in watermelon.

When it is summer one of the most popular fruits available is the crunchy pink watermelon. With calorie sin watermelon being low it is a dieter’s dream.  Watermelon also does a lot more than quench thirst on a hot day as well. Though summer is the season watermelons are at their optimum but they are available all year in most supermarkets. Watermelon can offer your fat burning benefits as well.

Tips for choosing a watermelon are to look at the colour of the skin. It should be brightly coloured green but not too shiny but it should not be dull or matte or dull. The best test is the weight test weight. A ripe watermelon should feel heavier than it looks for it’s size.

Watermelon, raw without skin

Calories in 100g of watermelon, raw

Calories in watermelon serving, one cup (154): 46kcal

Calories in Watermelon and Nutrition

Eating fruit is an important part of any balanced diet. Watermelon in particular has much to offer. Calories in watermelon wedges total 86 calories, with less than 1 gram of fat.

Watermelon provides 22 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein and 5% of your daily fibre intake equaling a healthy way for fat burning and weight loss. Watermelon contains 18 grams of sugar and is a great way to curb sugar cravings.

Watermelon provides healthy amounts of nearly all the essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and C are available in high amounts with one wedge of watermelon providing 33% and 39% of your daily intake requirements. Vitamin B6, pantothenic acid and thiamin are also contained in watermelon in significant amounts.

Sodium aside, one wedge of watermelon gives least 2% of your daily value of all minerals. Potassium, manganese and magnesium are available in the highest amounts.

Watermelon Health Benefits

Watermelon is a powerful antioxidant, due to it’s high levels of in vitamins A and C, which help to neutralize free radicals than may lead to inflammation, sickness and chronic illnesses.

The gorgeous fresh pink watermelon colour is due to beta-carotene levels. This substance is a powerful force against many types of cancer and especially colon cancer. Lycopene, a carotenoid found in high levels in watermelon gives additional cancer fighting health benefits.

The high water content of watermelons gives it it’s fat burning benefits, helping your metabolism work more efficiently. With a healthy amounts of fibre and protein, your body still works hard simply processing watermelon despite it’s high water content.

Most of the calories in watermelon are burned quickly after consumption meaning it is not stored as fat by the body but used as instant energy which is why you feel refreshed and energetic after eating this crunchy fresh fruit.

Watermelon Recipes

Here are some watermelon recipe ideas to make the most of watermelons and their low calorie properties:

• Mix watermelon, cucumber and cantaloupe for a sweet summer fruit salad.
• Puree watermelon and place in ice pop moulds. Freeze and you have refreshing melon-pops that are 100% natural refreshing and sweet.
• Combine chopped kiwi fruit, lime juice and chunks of watermelon in blender and blitz. Drink your vitamins for the day!
• Puree watermelon, kiwi and cantaloupe melon then mix with some greek yogurt for a delicious low calorie summer desert.
• Blend one cup of watermelon chinks and add one shot of tequila for a healthy low calorie margarita!

Adding low calorie fruits like watermelon is a great way to take benefit of the health giving properties of watermelon without sacrificing things you love—like ice pops and alcoholic fruity drinks!

Useful links

Food calorie counter
Alcohol calorie counter
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What Diet: Calories in Watermelon

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