Jewel-toned, absolutely delicious, juicy, and a great addition to juices, salads, protein shakes, and meals, too, there are very few people in the world who don’t like watermelons. Lucky then that it makes for one of the best fruits for weight loss, and can be included in your diet plan with ease.
The Number Game: 1 cup has 46 calories and less than 1g fat.
Weighing Out The Watermelon
Melons in general (muskmelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, canary melons…) are great for weight watchers as they are packed with water.
- About 91 percent of the smart food is just water, which is why it comes so highly recommended for those trying to lose weight.
- You can have platefuls of the chunky fruit, whose volume (mass) fills you up without significantly adding to your calorie count.
- Each wedge contains about five percent of the daily recommended intake of fiber, which can keep you satiated for longer periods of time as the body breaks the fruit down slowly.
- Since watermelons are packed with water, the feeling of fullness gets prolonged, too.
Disclaimer: Timing Is Important
The only word of caution is that eating watermelons at night can sometimes cause diarrhea. The fruit contains lycopene, an antioxidant, which should be consumed in moderation or it can upset the tummy and lead to indigestion or bloating. This happens because the fruit is slow to digest and at night, your body is primed for rest and is in sleep mode, not putting it in the best position to process the fruit. Have a portion any time before sundown and you’ve got it covered.
On an end note, while watermelon seeds are edible, they’re harder to digest and tend to go in and come out whole (when you pass stool); it’s best to eat around them.
PS: Here’s an exhaustive list of Diets For Weight Loss.
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