What is the calorie content of watermelon, how much can you consume when losing weight. How many calories are in watermelon and its beneficial properties Watermelon and weight loss

Watermelon has been known since the times of Ancient Egypt, because the cultivation of the crop was in full swing. The melon crop was used not only as food, but also as a cosmetic product. To this day, it remains a mystery what it is - a fruit of the pumpkin family or a giant berry, the weight of which reaches several kg.

Scientists claim that watermelons were left in the tombs of the pharaohs so that they would eat them while in the afterlife. The watermelon appeared in South Africa, where it is still found growing in the wild.

Europeans tasted the delicacy during the Crusades; for Russia, this plant was a rare sight on tables until the 19th century.

An important question: can you eat watermelon while on a weight loss diet? Yes, sure!

The beneficial properties of a representative of the pumpkin family, or false berry, as is commonly believed, lie in the richness of microelements, vitamins and other useful substances. Among them, lycopene is a substance belonging to the group of antioxidants.

Due to its lycopene content, watermelon helps in the fight against male infertility.

The product is also good for weight loss - the calorie content of watermelon helps you not to gain excess body weight, but to enjoy the taste with benefits for the body. high, but at the same time, the plant has a useful composition. Nature has endowed it with choleretic and diuretic properties, which helps to carefully cleanse the body.

Taking watermelon juice and absorbing the pulp is useful for those who need it. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and anemia, is carried out thanks to the fiber that the fruit contains. Cleansing the kidneys and liver of toxins allows the body to improve performance and also has a beneficial effect on other organs.

How much can you eat per day?

Patients suffering from gout and anemia have the opportunity to consume watermelon regularly without fear for their health.

Watermelon juice helps cope with the following diseases:

Jade;
Urolithiasis;
Cystitis;
Gallstone disease;
In case of poisoning;
Cirrhosis;
Jaundice;
Kidney diseases.

In addition, hypertensive patients and people experiencing joint pain, and those who want to get rid of excess fluid in the body and cleanse the gallbladder, can take watermelon juice in between meals. Doctors do not give recommendations on dosage, because the energy value of watermelon is low, it does not cause harm, except for personal intolerance to the product, and the benefits are great.

Watermelon does not harm the body, but we must not forget that even despite the 95% composition of the liquid, the glycemic index is high and equal to 95 - this means that a feeling of hunger will soon arise.

The glycemic index, beneficial composition, and low calorie content of watermelon make it possible to use fasting days, each of which accounts for 1.5-2 kilograms of fruit, green tea and mineral water without gases. The properties of the product will provide a competent approach to improving your well-being.

When breastfeeding

The fruit is useful for nursing mothers, helps get rid of anemia without harm to health, and produce milk for the baby. Consumption is possible only from the 3rd month of breastfeeding, because it has properties that may not have the best effect on the baby’s digestion. The first day, which includes the young mother eating watermelon, is limited only to this innovation; other foods unfamiliar to the child should be temporarily forgotten for five days in order to identify possible negative consequences in time.

The harm to the product, like other crops belonging to the melon family, lies in the possibility of accumulation of chemicals used by unscrupulous farmers. It is better to give preference to those sellers who do not use “chemicals” and have been known for a long time.

Tip: to identify harmful substances, you should cut it and take a closer look at the pulp. The yellow color of the threads or seals indicate the presence of nitrates, which means there may be unpleasant consequences:

Nausea;
Abdominal pain;
Vomit;
Diarrhea.

The safe period for purchasing watermelon is mid-August.

Contraindications

The plant causes harm to the body of those who have diabetes or problems with the spleen. Cellulose, which is digested in the body for a long period of time, is harmful to people suffering from typhus. For them, it is preferable to drink juice rather than consume pulp, because the properties impair the functioning of the weak digestive organ.

Calorie content per 100 grams

It is not known exactly how many calories are in 100 grams of watermelon, because... the exact number depends on the volume of the fruit, but on average it is 25-35 kcal per 100 grams of product. It is important to know not only how high-calorie watermelon is, but also the composition of the BZHU:

How many proteins? 0.6 grams.
How many carbohydrates? 8 grams;
How much fat? 0.2 grams;
How much cholesterol? 0 grams;

Diet and watermelon

There is an opinion that watermelon is suitable for a diet, but this is not entirely true. Despite the willpower, when you consume only watermelon during the day, as well as the strong feeling of hunger that the product causes, insulin will begin to be produced, which will reduce glucose levels. The feeling of hunger will therefore increase, and it will not be easy to cope with such a diet, because the glycemic index is high, and the composition of the fruit is simple, but not high in calories.

Watermelon can be used for weight loss, but there may be some difficulties associated with a sense of proportion. On average, 1.5-2 kg per day is acceptable for the average person.

Compound

The valuable properties of watermelon are manifested in their beneficial effects on the digestive organs, heart and blood vessels. The delicate dietary fiber included in the composition (0.5%) removes cholesterol and toxins. People who are losing weight calculate their nutritional intake (the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates based on a certain body weight) and be sure to include watermelon in their diet.

Despite the glycemic index, the abundance of the following components makes the composition of watermelon unique and healthy:

Calcium;
Potassium;
Magnesium;
Folic acid;
Carotene;

The combination of salty foods and watermelon puts additional stress on a weakened heart, and also causes swelling, because a large amount of fluid is retained due to salt in the body. Doctors do not recommend simultaneous consumption of nuts, crackers, salted fish and other things with watermelon.

Selection rules

Buying a watermelon is a very important aspect, since it determines whether it will be harmful or whether the product will be beneficial. Rules for choosing a good watermelon:

A slice of watermelon is immersed in water. If nitrates are present, the liquid will turn pink or red. If absent, it will only muddy it;
The fruit needs to be squeezed. There is no crackling, but it looks mature? Indicates chemical additives;
When cut, a watermelon does not have a perfectly smooth surface; the pulp contains sugar grains and whitish-pinkish thin veins.

Permissible rate of nitrates: 60 mg per 1 kg of fruit. The accumulation occurs unevenly, and to avoid possible ingestion of toxins into the body, it is not recommended to take very large fruits. The average fruit weight does not exceed 8 kg, although it depends on the variety.

It is advisable to give children only the core, it is healthier and tastier.

Recipes

Fruit jelly in watermelon rinds

Fruit and berry powdered jelly – packaging;
Bitter chocolate – 100 grams;
Watermelon (a couple of kg).

Take a small fruit, cut it in half, remove the pulp. You can use the method of making jelly from the juice and pulp of watermelon and gelatin. The jelly is poured into the empty crusts in stages, with chocolate chips sprinkled between the layers. When filling the crust, after each layer, put it in a cold place; when the half is filled, the dessert is ready. Divide into slices and serve to the table. The taste and benefits of the dessert will delight your guests and loved ones.

Watermelon bunch

Half a glass of water;
Starch – 50 grams;
Wheat flour – 50 grams;
Two egg whites;
One watermelon;
Powdered sugar for decoration.

Cut the watermelon and use a special vegetable knife to cut out balls of any size. Dilute the starch in water, beat the egg whites in a separate form, and combine with the starch. Dip each ball in flour, and then in the mixture. Deep fry, decorate generously with powdered sugar. Arrange in the form of a bunch of grapes.

Watermelon is one of the most popular melon crops. In the summer heat, there is nothing more pleasant than a slice of sweet red fruit to quench your thirst.

Watermelons are beneficial for the human body primarily because this product helps remove excess moisture and allows you to cleanse the kidneys and urinary system.

As a food product, watermelon can be used pickled or as juice, but its most popular use is fresh.

Many people consider watermelon an excellent part of a weight loss diet. Watermelon pulp, in addition to many vitamins, has a large amount of fiber that is beneficial for the body, it contains glucose, sucrose and fructose. It is perfectly digestible and creates a feeling of fullness for a while.

However, before applying the “watermelon diet”, you should find out how many calories a watermelon can contain.

This indicator depends not only on the variety of watermelon, but also on the conditions in which it grew, and on the size of the fruit used for food.

Calorie content of watermelon depending on the weight of the fruit

For those who want to maintain their figure, when choosing a watermelon, you should focus on its size. You need to know, for example, how many calories are contained in a 4 kg watermelon, quite popular medium-sized varieties. A small watermelon can contain from 1700 to 1800 kcal. It is worth noting that this figure is twice as high for its larger brother.

Based on the initial numbers, you can approximately determine how many calories are in a 5 kg watermelon. Its calorie content on average increases by 100-200 kcal and reaches 1900 kcal.

The calorie content of large varieties of watermelons largely depends on the natural conditions in which they ripened. In hot sunny weather, these melons not only increase in size, but also gain sugar content, which, in turn, increases their calorie content.

In general, in order to determine how many calories are in an 8 kg watermelon, you just need to try it. If such a fruit ripens in a cool and rainy climate, it will gain excess moisture rather than the required sugar content. Often, having chosen a beautiful and ripe-looking watermelon, cutting it, we are convinced that the pulp has a sour taste. Accordingly, the calorie content in such a fruit is significantly lower than in a well-ripe one. The number of calories in a watermelon of this weight is on average 3000 kcal.

There are proven ways to select a watermelon. To determine how many calories are in a 10 kg watermelon, you should squeeze it slightly. A slight “crackling” sound should be heard. When cut, the surface of the pulp of a ripe watermelon is not smooth, with small grains - sugary. The veins of such a fruit are light and thin, in no case yellow.

Calorie content of watermelon depending on serving

As you know, watermelon is served on the table cut into slices. To determine how many tidbits you can afford, you need to know how many calories are in 100 grams of watermelon.

An average-sized slice of this fruit dessert weighs about 200 grams. This portion will bring the body from 40 to 45 kilocalories.

For people on a weight loss diet, it should be remembered that by consuming 5 slices (respectively, 1 kg) of watermelon, the body will gain at least 300 kcal, or even up to 330.

Regardless of your desire to lose weight, you should not get carried away with watermelon pulp. Despite the external harmlessness of the product, in large quantities it can negatively affect the condition of the kidneys and urinary system.

The maximum permissible daily dose should not exceed 2 kilograms, which is about 640 kcal.

Calories, kcal:

Proteins, g:

Carbohydrates, g:

Watermelon is the name given to the fruit of a herbaceous annual of the family Pumpkin, called pumpkin. Pumpkin is a berry, the largest known, and can have different shapes - a regular ball, an oval, a cylinder and even a cube. According to the culinary classification, watermelon is a fruit. The color of the hard peel is found in various variations, from light to dark green with almost black stripes, spots or mesh. Between the crust and the bright red juicy pulp there is a white layer of varying thickness, from a few millimeters to 4-5 cm (jam is made from such crusts and candied fruits are prepared). The flesh is traditionally red, but breeders boast yellow or orange watermelons inside. Watermelon seeds vary from small (0.5 cm) to medium (1-1.5 cm), and they also vary in color - white, dark brown or combined.

Origin of watermelons

The history of watermelons dates back to the 20th century BC; the first mentions of round green berries are found in documents telling about the life of the tribes of South Africa (calorizator). In Ancient Egypt, evidence of the use of watermelons is provided by the perfectly preserved seeds found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (there was a belief that watermelons should be sent with a deceased person so that they would serve as food in the afterlife).

Calorie content of watermelon

The calorie content of watermelon is 25 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Composition and beneficial properties of watermelon

Watermelon has a chemical composition that is quite impressive in terms of the amount of vitamins and minerals, which contains: vitamins, and, as well as, and. The dietary fiber contained in watermelon helps normalize metabolism; fructose makes the fruit an excellent nutritional option for people with diabetes. A well-known property of watermelon is due to its strong diuretic and choleretic properties. During the watermelon season, if you set a goal to improve your health, you can, without straining too much, even get rid of sand and small kidney stones. Eating watermelon lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and strengthens the body.

Harm of watermelon

It should be remembered that watermelon perfectly absorbs nitrates, so it can cause not only allergic reactions, but also cause significant harm to health. Diabetics and people suffering from kidney failure should not consume watermelon uncontrollably. Watermelon contains a lot of sugar.

Watermelon varieties

Watermelons grown in Russia are divided into several varieties, among which the most famous are Astrakhan, Ogonyok, Gift of the Sun, Skorik, Kherson, and Sugar Baby. Watermelons grown in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are highly valued; such fruits can be stored for a long time without losing their taste.

Growing watermelon

To fully ripen a watermelon, you need a lot of sun, heat and moisture, so the most suitable climate is tropical. But in central Russia it is quite possible to grow a sweet and juicy watermelon - however, the size of such a berry will differ significantly from its Astrakhan counterparts.

Choosing a watermelon - girl or boy?

There is no clear evidence that female watermelons - “girls” - are sweeter and juicier than “boys”, but for many this matters, so let us remind you once again that the difference based on “gender” is the different type of butt of the watermelon (the place opposite the tail ). In “girls” the butt is lighter, larger in size and has unclear boundaries, in “boys” it is neat, pulled inwards and dark in color. Often, a careful look at the tail helps you choose a tasty watermelon - the drier it is, the riper the watermelon. Many people knock on the watermelon and listen - a ringing sound indicates juiciness and ripeness, a dull sound means that the watermelon has been waiting in the wings for a long time and has the consistency of a dishwashing sponge.

Watermelon and weight loss

Watermelon perfectly quenches thirst, so it is great for and even for. But you should remember that a large amount of watermelon only dulls the feeling of hunger for a while, so you should approach the decision to lose weight through watermelons wisely and simply enjoy the magical taste of the juicy berry.

Slicing watermelon

The most correct thing is to lightly hit the watermelon on the edge of the table so that it cracks and breaks into halves, take spoons and gobble up the juicy pulp, dousing yourself with sweet juice. Such happiness is rare, so there are several ways to carefully cut and serve watermelon (calorizer). For an elegant dessert, you need to peel the watermelon and cut it into small pieces “for one bite”, prepare small forks so that guests do not get dirty. At home, everyone chooses the method that is convenient and depends on the sharpness of the knife. You can cut off two tops, conveniently place the watermelon on the flat side on a platter or flat plate and cut from top to bottom into slices of a convenient width. You can immediately divide the watermelon in half lengthwise and further cut it crosswise into arbitrary slices. Special knives for cutting watermelons, reminiscent of apple ones, have appeared on sale, which allow you to get perfectly even, identical slices in record time.

For more options for cutting watermelon, watch the video “9 original ways to cut watermelon”:

Use of watermelon in cooking

The traditional use of watermelon is fresh, preferably separately from other products, an hour or two after any meal. Watermelons are also pickled, salted, syrup (honey) is prepared from the pulp, and candied fruits and marmalade are made from the rinds.

See more about watermelon, its benefits and harms in the video of the TV program “About the Most Important Thing,” starting at 13 minutes 40 seconds.

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For 10 whole months of the year we live in anticipation of the appearance on the shelves of a beautiful and unusual...

For 10 whole months of the year we live in anticipation of the appearance on the shelves of beautiful and unusually juicy berries grown on melons.

For children and men, a dense green “ball” with black stripes and red flesh is an autumn delicacy.
For the fair sex, short hair is more attractive watermelon calories and the opportunity to try a new diet.

Girls count the days until August so that they can enjoy the unique properties of melons for 2 months. They have already read information about the benefits of watermelon for weight loss, it’s a dream to eat sweets and not gain weight!

But there are also opponents of watermelon addictions. In their opinion, the berry is not as wonderful as it seems...

Where is the truth? You will find it below - we reveal the calorie secrets without hiding, so that your love for watermelon will only bring benefits!

Watermelon, is your low calorie intake a determining factor when losing weight?

“Meet watermelon (calorie content when losing weight is an important factor, and it corresponds to it)! You will quickly get rid of excess kilograms, saturate your body with microelements and normalize your metabolism. Eat as much as you can and flush out toxins and unnecessary fluids!

A watermelon weekly mono-diet will permanently remove up to 5 kg in 7 days if you follow the recommendations. Consume 1.5-2 kg of pulp per day, introduce black bread (no more than 200 g) into your diet. Get ready to exit the diet period correctly: give up sweets and buns. 10-14 days – minus 8 kg!”

All the highlighted information is a myth, a delusion of ignorant “nutritionists”. Your health will not thank you after such a mono-diet.

You will “magically” begin to lose precious muscle mass at an accelerated rate;
Fat burning will occur a hundred times slower;
The body will become apathetic, strength and tone will be depleted.

We do not advocate the absolute uselessness of watermelon for losing weight - it is ideal as a means for fasting days! It is during the day that its benefit will be maximum.

You will object that it is impossible to achieve such a low calorie diet with other products. You are wrong! Let's take the average figure of 1000 kcal:

This amount of watermelon will make you swell like a balloon, and we can confidently say that stomach discomfort will accompany you everywhere.
Collect in your daily “basket”: an egg, porridge, vegetables and milk for the same calorie amount, and you will get 3 good servings for a full meal + a snack.

Do you like watermelons? Don't give up on them during the long-awaited period of late summer - autumn. One large piece a day is enough to get the most important minerals and vitamins, flavored with the pleasure of savoring!

Did you know that eating watermelon can make you gain weight?

“It has been confirmed that the calorie content of watermelon per 100 grams is only 25-38 kcal. This is a one-of-a-kind sweetness that will never lead to fullness...”

Do you believe this? Then, when you see increased numbers on the scales, look for other options that provoked the sad fact.

For now, we’ll tell you how a low-calorie watermelon “dessert” gives an unexpected increase in kilogram equivalent:

Together with a loaf of white bread, rapid weight gain is guaranteed. A cool option for bodybuilders (they use it often). For those who want to have a slender silhouette, scarlet pulp in combination with flour products is “killer”!
Watermelon does not satisfy hunger; its glycemic index is very high - your appetite will definitely increase within an hour after eating the berry. It is important to refrain from indiscriminate consumption of fatty and protein foods.
It’s easy to finish a whole green striped “ball” in one sitting. But the arithmetic of “sugar pleasure” will give a disappointing result. 38 kcal is a small piece; a ripe watermelon itself weighs on average 6 kg. Multiply and calculate the total calorie content of the berry - 2280 kcal (this is the optimal amount of all calories consumed per day). You're not limited to just watermelon, are you? The counter is creeping up along with the kilograms!

How to avoid getting caught up in this weight gain trend?

Practice watermelon fasting days without mixing the juicy pulp with other food. There will be a cleansing of toxins with excellent absorption of useful elements, of which watermelon is rich. Limit salt in your diet, then avoid swelling in the morning.
This berry should act as a snack, and not as an addition to the main table menu. Keep an interval of 1.5-2 hours before and after main meals - this is the best time for a treat.
Add variety to any boring diet when hunger overcomes and eating something substantial is prohibited. The life-giving moisture of watermelon depths will give you a feeling of satiety and sweetness. Maybe not for long, but still. You will become more positive, the motivation to lose weight will not disappear!

The calorie content of watermelon is important, but let’s think about the benefits and harms of consuming it...

This section of the article will touch on several nuances, united in a chain: “ watermelon - calorie content - benefits and harm" so that all the i's are dotted.

Benefit!

Magnesium in watermelon is a heart helper and the best companion for the nervous system (for this, the berry is popularly called an antidepressant and a “pill” for mood). Due to magnesium, muscle function and good absorption of vitamins and minerals are activated.
Folic acid from pulp is involved in the construction of DNA and the general development of the body. Improved memory, clear thoughts and brain activity are found in a watermelon slice.
Watermelon is effective as a diuretic (in case of kidney failure, consultation with a doctor is required!).
The berry is filled with “energy” vitamin substances.
Due to its rapid absorption, watermelon juice is preferable to water during heatstroke and has amazing electrolyte capabilities. Feverish seizures and vomiting will also subside.
Dietary fiber with its high amount prevents constipation. They also successfully fight high cholesterol.
The lycopene in watermelon has been recognized as a good supportive option in the treatment of infertility in men.
Cleansing the liver of toxins, the green berry is ideal for recovery after long-term use of antibiotics.
Brewed watermelon seeds have an anthelmintic effect.
In skincare cosmetology, scarlet juice is used in tonic masks, the purpose of which is to refresh the face and even out skin tone.

The list of benefits of watermelon can be continued with a positive “contribution” in the treatment of: gout and gallbladder, atherosclerosis and anemia, gastritis and obesity, Botkin’s disease and heart defects, hypertension and nosebleeds...

Harm!

Let's start with the patterns - consuming “bad”, nitrate watermelon will negatively affect you. Chemicals in fertilizers, saltpeter injected into the pulp with a syringe through the peel - all this gives an impetus to the rapid ripening of fruits. For humans, an increased level of harmful substances is destructive - frequent poisonings in early August only confirm this.

Expect quality watermelons from melons no earlier than mid-August. Don’t rush for the “early” fruits that lure bored customers to the shelves!

Let's move on to the advice of scientific medicine, which is against the abuse of juicy pulp by people suffering from blood pressure and heart spasms. This is due to fructose - it causes “trouble” in the digestive tract, causing bloating and gas formation. Internal pressure changes critically, problems can spread to heart rhythm. If you don’t want to deny yourself the pleasure of watermelon, go to your doctor...

The ban on drinking watermelon applies to:

Exacerbations of colitis and diarrhea;
Difficulty in the outflow of urine (the doctor may give permission in individual cases);
Pyelonephritis (specialist advice is also necessary);
Kidney stones (watermelon can begin to dislodge large stones);
Diabetes mellitus (in rare cases, the treat is available in very small portions);
Problems with the prostate and pancreas;
Infancy (up to 3 years) – the origin of the watermelon and confidence in its quality (the absence of chemical “pumps”) are important here. Try introducing the baby by starting with small portions (70-150 g/day).

Conclusion about the “healthy” amount of watermelon consumption per day

Did you understand that calorie content of watermelon in 1 kg low (250-380 kcal). But this is not a reason to start mindlessly eating the long-awaited berry. Nutritionists have the same opinion on the daily intake - no more than 2-2.5 kg. Not at once - you shouldn’t arm yourself with spoons, surrounding the watermelon adorning the table with the whole family. Only in portions from morning until early evening.

You need to enjoy treats wisely; discomfort from overeating is not appropriate!

Watermelon is the fruit of a herbaceous plant that belongs to the pumpkin family and is the largest berry of this family. However, most often watermelon is called a fruit, as it is more familiar. It can have the shape of a ball, oval, cube or cylinder. The color of the peel varies - light and dark green with black stripes. Between the pulp of the fruit and its crust there is a white layer.

Calorie content of watermelon per 100 g of pulp is small, since it contains 90% water. You can use it to make candied fruits, jam and healthy marmalade, as well as pickle or cook a delicious compote. But you need to remember that the sweets from it will turn out to be more high-calorie, since the water content will decrease.

How many calories are in a watermelon grown under suitable conditions? The calorie content of watermelon is 27 kcal per 100 g of pulp. Watermelon BJU: 5.9 g carbohydrates, 0 g protein and 0 g fat.

Composition and beneficial properties of watermelon

The composition of a ripe watermelon is full of vitamins of different groups: A, B1, B2, B6. C, E, H and PP. It also contains many minerals, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and sodium.

The soft red part contains about 91% water, as well as a lot of fiber and fructose. This makes it an ideal product for people suffering from diabetes. If the watermelon is ripe and grown without poisons and nitrates, then the benefits of consuming it will undoubtedly be great. Vitamins and microelements provide a person’s daily requirement and also improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The main advantages are:

Strengthening vision and immunity;
Improving the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
Stabilization of the central nervous system;
Prevention of atherosclerosis and anemia;
Stabilizing blood pressure, helping to dilate and constrict blood vessels;
Powerful choleretic and diuretic quality, getting rid of edema.

However, in addition to the benefits, the berry can cause harm. Despite its low energy value, it is undesirable to use it for certain diseases.

Harm of watermelon

Fruits grown with nitrates can be especially harmful. Fruits are pumped with these harmful substances so that they ripen and grow as quickly as possible.

Please note: As a result, harmful substances remain inside and then enter the stomach. They are not dangerous when they are inside the fetus, but when they enter the stomach they turn into nitrites, which can cause cancer.

Also, when nitrites enter the body, they can disrupt blood transport, causing the development of hypoxia – a lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues. It is also not recommended for certain diseases.

Eating the fruit is contraindicated if:

Kidney disease;
Kidney stones - a strong diuretic effect can start the movement of these stones;
Diabetes mellitus;
Diseases of the prostate and pancreas.

However, with some contraindications, it is not prohibited to consume watermelons in canned form - jam or candied fruits.

How to choose a watermelon

The fruits grown in Russia have several varieties, the most famous: Ogonyok, Gift of the Sun, Astrakhansky, Khersonsky, Skorik, Sugar Baby. Berries grown in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are highly valued, as they are stored much longer without losing their taste and benefits.

Important! For watermelon to fully ripen, the climate must be warm, sunny and humid, with the most suitable conditions in the tropics.

However, it can also be grown in central Russia, only the size of the berries will be smaller than those grown in warm climates. Most people always tap the crust when purchasing. A loud response means that the watermelon is ripe and sweet, dull - it has been in the store for a long time, and its pulp resembles a sponge.

Girl watermelons are juicier and sweeter than boys, and have a “butt” (the place on the other side of the tail) of different color and shape. In boys, the butt is pulled inward, small and dark in color, in girls it is lighter, larger in size and with unclear boundaries. You also need to check the tail - a drier tail indicates ripeness.

Cooking watermelon

The easiest way to cut the fruit is to crack it on the corner of the table and break it into two halves. Both halves can be cut into slices or eaten with a spoon. If you are cutting it for guests, you need to do it more carefully. To make it more convenient to eat the berry, you need to cut it in half, cut it into slices and cut each of them into several parts. Peel small pieces from crusts, place on a plate and give to guests forks. More original cutting methods in this video:

You can also cut it into two halves and then slice it from top to bottom into wedges. You can also purchase a special cutting knife to cut the berries into small, uniform, even slices.

Important! Most often, watermelon is eaten fresh, and it is best to do this after a meal, separating the consumption from other foods. Watermelon should not be washed down with water or eaten with heavy food.

You can also pickle them, salt them, and make syrup from the pulp (also called watermelon honey). You can make jam from the peels and dry candied fruits. It perfectly quenches thirst and hunger and at the same time contains many useful substances. Suitable for fasting days and mono-diets. However, the fruit is not a “magic wand” for weight loss - it dulls the feeling of hunger only for a short time. To lose weight, you need to consume no more than five kilograms of fresh watermelon pulp per day. Do not forget that it contains a lot of sugar, and its excessive consumption is not healthy, but harmful to your figure. All about the properties and benefits of watermelon can be found in this video:

The number of kilocalories depends on the degree of its ripeness, as well as on how it is cooked. While fresh honey contains a minimum amount of calories, candied fruits or watermelon honey have much more sugar and should not be consumed when losing weight.