Mark Twain once said, “When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.” And on a hot, summer day eating this juicy, sweet fruit does feel like a slice of heaven.
But there’s more to watermelon than great taste. It’s also packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, and is a good source of vitamin A, essential for eye health. It also contains vitamin C, important for immune function, and vitamin B6, which helps maintain nerve function and form red blood cells.
August 3 is National Watermelon Day, the perfect time to treat yourself to this flavorful fruit. If you’re at a stage in the program where fruit is allowed, add some chunks to a spinach salad, make a watermelon gazpacho, or try it in a salsa. The lycopene in watermelon is best absorbed when you eat the fruit with some fat. So try tossing watermelon cubes with slices of avocado, drizzle a watermelon and greens salad with some olive oil, or dip watermelon wedges in low-fat Greek yogurt.
Need more ideas? Try Pesto Baked Fish, a recipe from our Signature Patient Website. It’s perfect for those on at least Week 2 of the Medi-Weightloss® Program or in the Short Term Maintenance Phase of the Medi-Weightloss Signature Menus® Program.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be an exhaustive examination of the subject matter nor a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician or healthcare provider before beginning any diet or exercise program.
Active Medi-Weightloss® patients should consult the experts at their location on whether the foods and recipes mentioned are appropriate for their phase of the program.