What To Eat With Watermelon?

Watermelons are among the most refreshing fruits in the world and one of the healthiest. They contain many vitamins and minerals that can help you stay healthy. But what should you do when your favorite fruit is on sale for half off at the grocery store? You may be tempted to buy it all at once, but there are better ways to enjoy this delicious treat. 

So, what are some great pairings to have with watermelon? Some of the best ideas are other fruit mixes, like strawberries and kiwis or apples and pears. Other options include yogurt, cheese, nuts, and even chocolate! Watermelons also make a great refreshment drink. All you need to do is add ice cubes and lemon juice.

What Health Benefits Does Watermelon Have?

Not many know how healthy watermelons are, as most of us think they only contain water. Water content in watermelon may not only leave you refreshed, but it also provides many health benefits such as:

Hydration

As a natural refreshment, watermelon helps keep you hydrated throughout the day. It contains 90 percent water, and citrulline in watermelon may be an excellent fluid source. This means that it will not dehydrate you, unlike sodas and juices; if you feel dehydrated watermelon will help you get through the day.

Anticancer Effects

One of the benefits of watermelon is they offer anticancer properties because of their high vitamin C content. Vitamin C has been proven to prevent cancer cells from growing. The antioxidants found in watermelons can help fight free radicals that cause cancer.

Prevents Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration happens when the macula of the eye becomes damaged. This causes vision loss and blindness. A study showed that people who ate more than two servings of watermelon per week had less risk of developing macular degeneration.

Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is caused by the immune system fighting against germs and viruses. When inflammation occurs, it can lead to arthritis, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Eating watermelon can reduce inflammation because it contains lycopene, a compound that fights against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is when oxygen molecules react with certain chemicals, causing them to become unstable and harmful.

Heart Health

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that eating watermelon can protect against cardiovascular disease. Researchers studied mice fed a diet rich in watermelon extract. After 12 weeks, the researchers saw that the mice were protected from atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque inside blood vessels).

Muscle Soreness

Eating watermelons help relieve muscle soreness after exercise. In fact, it was shown that athletes who consumed watermelon before and after workouts experienced fewer muscle aches.

Skin Health

One of the critical things in keeping healthy, hydrated, and glowing skin is drinking enough water. Frozen watermelon cubes are packed full of water, so they can help you get the recommended eight glasses of water each day.

Improves Digestion

If you have digestion problems, consuming watermelons can help improve your digestive tract. They contain fiber which helps move food through your intestines. Fiber also improves bowel movements.

12 Unique Ways To Enjoy A Watermelon

Watermelons are fun to eat and can be enjoyed in tons of ways with different kinds of recipes. Here are some ideas on what to do with this delicious fruit:

1. Sandwiches

Nothing beats sandwiches when paired with fruit cuts– and it’s best with watermelon! You can make a simple sandwich using slices of watermelon wedges and cheese or add other ingredients like ham, turkey, avocado, or even peanut butter.

2. Caprese

Caprese is a classic Italian salad made of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. Add some fresh watermelon balls for a refreshing twist! Watermelons will also pair well with feta cheese and olives.

3. Prosciutto

You might think it’s a weird combination, but prosciutto and watermelon go together perfectly. Try making prosciutto-wrapped watermelon balls or prosciutto-covered watermelon cubes.

4. Add Feta

You will be surprised how feta cheese goes well with watermelon. It’s one of those combinations that work. Try adding Feta to watermelon salads or use it as an ingredient in a recipe.

5. Ceviche

Ceviche is a popular Latin American dish from raw fish marinated in citrus juices. This is another excellent way to enjoy watermelon. If you’re looking for a creative idea, try ceviche with watermelon and shrimp.

6. Salad

Salads are always good options for lunch or dinner. The addition of watermelon makes them more attractive. Try pairing watermelon with chicken, tuna, or any meat.

7. Salsa

Another unpopular way to eat watermelons is salsa. But if you want to spice up your meals, try mixing watermelon into your salsa.

8. Grill

Have you heard about grilled watermelons? If you haven’t, you might want to give it a try. Grilling watermelons adds a nice smoky flavor. This is usually done when family and friends do BBQ cookouts and serve it in skewers and bowls.

9. Pickle

Pickles are a great side dish option for many people. Adding watermelon to pickles gives them a unique taste. One thing to note is that you should only use ripe watermelons for pickling.

10. Seafood

Watermelons are one tropical fruit, so why not pair them with seafood? Try serving it with crab legs or lobster tails. A great recipe to try would be Cajun seafood stew.

11. Freezer Pops

For a sweet treat to your sweet tooth, try freezing watermelon popsicles. All you need is ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sliced watermelon.

12. Flavored Water

If you want to upgrade your drinks, try flavoring plain watermelon juice. You can buy flavored water at the store or make your own by blending watermelon with lemonade. The minerals in watermelon may give you a hydrating benefit and can contribute to your overall health.

Watermelon Flavor Pairings

Eating watermelon alone can be a nice snack, but you can pair it with condiments to level the flavor! Some popular and favorite watermelon flavor pairing are:

1. Salt

Salt enhances the natural sweetness of the watermelon. Try sprinkling salt on top of your watermelon before eating it.

2. Spice

Some people like to add pepper flakes to their watermelon. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to pepper. Other spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves work well.

3. Cucumber

Another water-filled vegetable is cucumbers. They complement each other well because they both contain water. Try slicing up a few cucumber slices and placing them on top of your watermelons.

4. Lemon

Watermelon paired with lemon will not only make a refreshing drink for the summer heat, but it also provides a detoxifying effect. Add some fresh lemon slices to your watermelon, and enjoy.

5. Salmon

You might not know this, but salmon pairs well with watermelon. The combination of flavors is fantastic. Try grilling some salmon and then topping it with watermelon.

6. Coconut

Another tropical fruit is coconut. It has a similar texture to watermelon, so you can easily mix them. Just remember to keep the amount of coconut small compared to watermelon.

7. Cheese

Lastly, watermelons paired with your favorite cheese is another delicious combo. Try adding some cheddar cheese to your watermelon and enjoying it.