Food Facts: Watermelon

Watermelon is one of my favorites fruits. In fact, when I was pregnant with my first child, I ate a whole watermelon in just one sitting.

Watermelon makes you full without making you fat! In fact, watermelon has no fat, cholesterol, and almost no sodium, yet it is high in potassium!

Nutritional Values of Watermelon

Serving Size: 1 cup

• Calories: 46
• Protein: 1 g
• Carbohydrate: 11 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Sodium: 2 mg

It's still summer and when it gets hot, watermelon comes to mind! Not only does watermelon help quench thirst, it helps alleviate inflammation that come from conditions like arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetes

Watermelons are abundant source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin A. They are rich in potassium, which is a nutrient that helps control blood pressure, regulate heart beat, and possibly prevent strokes. Watermelon is also a valuable source of lycopene, one of the carotenoids that may help reduce the risk of prostate, breast, endometrial, as well as lung and colon cancer!

For more information about watermelon and other healthy foods, check out my favorite book - the World's Healthiest Foods -- www.whfoods.org