Posted at: 07/03/2012 2:11 PM

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Watermelon – A Slice of Sweet Freedom

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Jen Haugen will share the health benefits of watermelon for this Fourth of July.

Delicious, juicy watermelon is easy to find through the summer months. Not only is it a good source of Vitamin C, but also has great benefits for your skin.
Nutritional benefits:
Lycopene – Skin Protector & Wrinkle Preventer
  • Watermelon, ruby red grapefruit, and tomatoes are a natural source of the antioxidant lycopene.
  • Lycopene acts as a natural sunscreen. It protects skin cells from the sun’s rays which can lead to premature aging and even skin cancer, and replenishes the cells.   In addition, lycopene helps your skin act as a natural filter, allowing enough sunlight through for your body to produce vitamin D.
  • Besides helping to prevent sunburn, lycopene can also help prevent wrinkles. It strengthens the elasticity of skin tissues while keeping them from losing their
  • tension
Vitamin C – Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C.  Vitamin C is needed for growth and repair within the body and promotes a healthy immune system.
Low-Calorie – One cup of watermelon has only 45 calories!  Watermelon is made of 92% water!
Watermelon Mango Salad
(serves 6, 1 cup each)
4 cups thinly sliced watermelon
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
1 cup thinly sliced fresh pineapple
2 tablespoons mango chutney
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
½ cup Hy-Vee pecan pieces
½ cup Feta cheese
Directions:
1.  In a medium bowl, combine watermelon, mango, pineapple, chutney and mint.  Gently stir until combined.  Transfer to a platter; top with pecan pieces and Feta cheese.  
Nutrition Facts per serving: 150 calories, 7 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 24 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein, Vitamin A 25%, Vitamin C 70%.

Jen Haugen, RD, LD is a registered dietitian representing Hy-Vee as a nutrition expert promoting healthy eating throughout the community.  Jen is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

You can reach her at jhaugen@hy-vee.com or “Like” Jen on Facebook @JenHaugenRD.
 

 



Today's Most Read Stories