Watermelon Wonders: How to Enjoy This Low-Calorie Fruit Guilt-Free

I’ve been a nutritionist for more than seven years, and I’m always looking for new ways to help my clients enjoy tasty low-calorie foods without feeling bad about it. Watermelon is one of my favorites because it’s sweet, cool, and surprisingly low in calories! Read “Watermelon Wonders: How to Enjoy This Low-Calorie Fruit Guilt-Free” below.

I’m going to tell you how to enjoy watermelon guilt-free and also show you some of my favorite ways to eat it. Watermelon is one of the best fruits for dieters because it is mostly water and has few calories per serving. Let’s jump right in!

The Nutrition Profile of Watermelon

Let’s start by looking at why watermelon has so few calories. There are only 46 calories in a cup of diced watermelon. Plus it’s low in fat and full of healthy things like vitamin C and lycopene.

Since more than 90% of watermelon is water, it is naturally low in calories and a great way to stay hydrated. Because watermelon is mostly water, you can eat a lot of it and still not eat too many calories.

Watermelon also has a low glycemic index, which means it won’t make your blood sugar rise quickly. As your nutritionist, I always tell people with diabetes or insulin resistance to eat fruits like watermelon.

The high amounts of water and fiber are also good for digestion and keeping you regular. Also, don’t forget about citrulline, an amino acid found in watermelon that might help ease muscle pain. Overall, watermelon is a very healthy fruit that is low in calories.

Having Watermelon Without Feeling Bad

Even though watermelon doesn’t have many calories, you can still eat too much of it. Here are some ways I like to enjoy watermelon without going too far:

• Watch how much you eat: Don’t eat more than 1 to 2 cups of diced watermelon or 8 small wedges. This will help you watch your weight.
• Add some protein to it: To keep the glycemic response in check, eat watermelon with yogurt, cottage cheese, or nuts. It will make you feel full because it has protein and fat.
• Do not add sugar: Don’t eat or drink anything sugary with watermelon. Stick to fresh watermelon to get the most nutrients and the fewest calories.
• Don’t lose water: Don’t eat too much watermelon; drink water before and during it. It can help you feel full faster because it has a lot of water in it.
• Take it easy: Enjoy the taste and texture. Mindful eating keeps you from eating too much of any food, but especially of juicy fruits like watermelon.
• Do not eat it all at once: Cut the watermelon into pieces and put the extra in the fridge to use later in the week as quick snacks or sides.

Watermelon is a treat that won’t make you feel bad as long as you watch your portions and don’t eat too much sugar. It’s a great choice because it’s naturally low in calories and high in nutrients.

Creative Ways to Work Watermelon Into Your Diet

As a nutritionist, I love coming up with new ways to eat healthy foods like watermelon. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this summer treat:

• Salad with watermelon: For a cool salad, mix cubes of watermelon with feta cheese, mint, and balsamic vinegar. You can add more greens by adding arugula or spinach.
• Pops of frozen watermelon: Mix Greek yogurt and watermelon together, and then freeze the mixture in popsicle molds for a cool, creamy treat. These are fun for kids.
• Salsa with watermelon: Cut up watermelon, tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice into small pieces. Serve this salsa with tortilla chips for a different taste. It tastes so fresh.
• Watermelon steaks cooked on a grill: Watermelon should be cut into slices about 1 to 2 inches thick. Add a little olive oil and grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Add mint and salt.
• Water with watermelon in it: Put mint leaves and slices of watermelon into a pitcher of water. Put it in the fridge to get a fruity, refreshing drink.
• Smoothie with watermelon: This smoothie is full of protein because it has Greek yogurt, ice, and lime juice mixed in with cubed watermelon. You could also add kale or spinach.
• Pizza with watermelon: For a fun summer pizza, put diced watermelon, feta, and fresh mozzarella on top of a thin whole wheat crust.

There are a lot of options! Lemon, fresh herbs, greens, lean proteins, and salty cheeses all go well with watermelon. Come up with new ways to eat this low-calorie fruit all summer long.

The Takeaway: Enjoy Watermelon Guilt-Free

As a nutritionist, I think you should enjoy watermelon as a tasty, low-calorie fruit. Because it is mostly water, watermelon is a great food for people who are trying to lose weight or cut back on calories.

Just watch your portions and don’t eat too many foods with added sugars. For a balanced diet, eat watermelon with foods that are high in protein or fiber. It tastes sweet and great in smoothies, salads, grilled sides, and other foods.

You should enjoy the watermelon while it’s still in season. Drink lots of water, get creative in the kitchen, and enjoy this healthy summer treat without feeling bad about it. Watermelon is a great way to treat yourself while still following your healthy eating plan. Its sweet, juicy texture is very refreshing.