With summer quickly approaching, you may have noticed a shift in produce at your local grocery store. That’s right—early summer produce is starting to hit the shelves. Anyone else pumped to add juicy melons back into their diet?
To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of our favorite summer melons, as well as the health benefits—so make sure to grab one (or a few) this week during your grocery haul!
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe has more beta-carotene— the orange pigment that is converted to Vitamin A—than any other orange or yellowish fruit. Some studies even suggest it has the same amount of beta-carotene as carrots. Research also states that one cup of cantaloupe has your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C; the melon is also an excellent source of potassium and folate (or B-9).
We love cantaloupe for breakfast, or for an afternoon snack. Drizzled with honey, eaten in slices, or enjoyed like a bowl, this is a melon we will definitely have around in our kitchen this summer.
Watermelon
Oh, watermelon—the most delicious and popular of summer fruits. A favorite for picnics, camping, and lazy weekend afternoons, we are obsessed with watermelon during the warmer months. And the fact that it is actually healthy for us is, of course, a wonderful bonus.
Watermelon is loaded with vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as lycopene (a powerful antioxidant that makes watermelon red) and amino acids. In fact, watermelon has fifteen to twenty milligrams of lycopene per one to two cups—more than any other produce.
Enjoy watermelon in a salad or alongside your breakfast. This melon is also a fantastic and healthy “dessert” in the summer for when you’re craving a late-night snack.
Honeydew
Honeydew is low in calories and rich in vitamin C and potassium (it has the same amount of potassium as a banana but with fewer calories). And because of its high water content (ninety percent) and potassium levels, honeydew is an excellent food for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Honeydew is also great for skin because of copper—this aids collagen production.
A mild fruit, we love mixing honeydew with other fruits or granola and yogurt during the summer!
Which melons are you most excited for this coming summer? Share with us on Facebook or Instagram!
