Get Creative With Watermelon

Its sweet juices will keep you hydrated and happy all summer long

We all love a big slice of watermelon on a hot afternoon. But there are many more ways than that to enjoy this refreshing fruit, says clinical dietitian Christina Christianson of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

Taste is only the beginning of watermelon’s benefits. It’s a perfect food for the weight-conscious, containing 91 percent water and fewer than 50 calories per cup. The water content is just what the doctor ordered on a sweltering day when you need more fluids. “This can be important for elderly people, who often don’t realize they’re thirsty until they are dehydrated,” Christianson says.

Watermelon is also a good source of nutrients such as beta carotene (important for vision and eye health) and lycopene and vitamin C (antioxidants that may protect against cell damage).

Here are some creative ways to mix it into your daily diet:

Beverages

• Freeze watermelon in ice cubes
• Add to fruity alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages

Breakfasts

• Use it as a topper for pancakes or waffles
• Mix it with granola or cereal

Appetizers

• Wrap small pieces in prosciutto ham
• Skewer it with bits of salmon and Brie cheese

Sandwiches

• Put watermelon chunks in a pita with roasted chicken breast, plain yogurt and strong cheese
• Chop it finely and use it as a relish

Entrees

• Add it to sesame chicken
• Mix cubes into a coconut shrimp dish

Desserts

• Use it to flavor cupcakes
• Make watermelon-lime ice pops

Want to Know More? For some tasty watermelon recipes, call 610-402-CARE or click here.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2008

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