Nutrition

A Mouth-Watering Summer Treat

Watermelon is loaded with healthy nutrients. It's an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C and contains more lycopene than fresh tomatoes. And there's more that makes watermelon a great summer treat.

Watermelon is cholesterol and fat free and low in sodium. Because watermelon is 92 percent water, it's a great way to get enough fluids on a hot summer day.

Here are more watermelon facts from the National Watermelon Promotion Board:

Watermelon is considered both a fruit and a vegetable.
You can "thump" a watermelon to pick a good one, but the most reliable way is to choose a firm, symmetrical watermelon with no bruises, cuts or dents. It should feel heavy for its size. Look for the creamy, yellow spot (called the ground spot) where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Store a whole watermelon 7 to 10 days at room temperature (55 degrees F is ideal).
Once cut, wrap the melon and store at 37 to 39 degrees F.
Wash the outside first before cutting. If you cut through it with a knife, dirt and germs on the outside get inside to the juicy fruit.

Back