National Watermelon Day

by | Aug 2, 2022 | 2022, Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition

As summer is coming to a close and the kids are going back to school, National Watermelon Day is upon us! We have celebrated all of July as National Watermelon Month, but there is an extra day just for this sweet, juicy treat. This August 3rd, enjoy a slice, cube, ball, or spear of watermelon to celebrate National Watermelon Day!

With the name watermelon, you could assume that the fruit is made up of mostly water. “How much water?” you may ask. 92 percent of the fruit is water! This is a great source of water for individuals who do not like drinking water, like myself. Another benefit is that since the water content is high, it helps individuals feel full. The combination of water and small amounts of fiber in this fruit helps you feel full without all of the calories. Watermelon is also beneficial in terms of digestion. Water helps the digestive tract to continue moving while fiber provides substance for your stool. This combination promotes normal, healthy bowel movements.

Not only is watermelon a great source of water for hydration, but it also has a lot of nutritional benefits. Fewer calories and no fat mean less guilt when eating the delicious fruit. There are approximately 47 calories per cup of watermelon. Watermelon also provides vitamins such as A, B1, B5, B6, and C. It also offers magnesium and potassium, both important factors in your daily intake. Vitamins A and C are critical components of healthy skin, as they assist with the production and repair of skin cells. Skin tends to look dry and flaky when you do not have enough intake of these vitamins. Vitamin C helps create collagen. Collagen keeps hair strong and skin elastic.

Now that you know why watermelon is an excellent fruit to consume, how should you celebrate it on its national day? Eating the watermelon by itself, as is, is a great place to start! If you are feeling adventurous, try making a fruit salad, adding salt or sugar, or throwing it on the grill. Check out one of my favorite recipes below for watermelon ice pops!

Tools needed:

  • Blender
  • Ice pop molds

Ingredients (Yields 6):

  • 1 ½ cups watermelon, seeded and diced
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon white sugar

Directions:

  • Step 1: Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
  • Step 2: Pour mixture into ice pop molds.
  • Step 3: Place into freezer and freeze until solid. This takes about 2 hours.
  • Step 4: Run water over the ice pop mold for a few seconds to help release the popsicle and enjoy!
Claire Davis
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