Eating watermelon at breakfast is good for weight loss and overall health, as it:
- hydrates the body
- regulates appetite
- provides steady levels of energy
- protects from UV radiation & pollution
Eat watermelon at breakfast for hydration
First, consuming watermelon at breakfast is good for hydration. Watermelon is one of the richest foods in water. Drinking water in the morning is beneficial for our health. For instance, water is necessary for the body to burn belly fat for energy.[1]
Watermelon hydrates better than tap water, as it’s high in electrolytes. We must replenish electrolytes as well. Especially during summer, when we tend to sweat a lot. Furthermore, watermelon contains purified water. In fact, fruits are natural water filters!
Besides drinking water, we can consume fruits and vegetables rich in water, such as watermelon, cucumber, tomato, and many more.
A great time to eat sugars from fruits is at breakfast
Most calories of watermelon come from sugars. But, consuming fruits high in sugar at breakfast is good for you.
First, eating watermelon at breakfast doesn’t spike blood sugar levels. In fact, it has a pretty low glycemic load of 7. Watermelon contains some fiber, which controls glucose responses and also, the main type of sugar in watermelon is fructose. Fructose doesn’t spike blood sugar, as first, it has to be metabolized in the liver.[2]
Moreover, eating watermelon at breakfast provides energy for hours. It’s a better option than many bakery products!
Watermelon at breakfast regulates appetite
Furthermore, watermelon for breakfast is good for weight loss, as it can keep you full for a long time. A cup has 140 grams of water, 0.9 grams of protein, 0.6 grams of fiber, and only 45 calories! It’s ideal for people who want to lose weight.
Foods rich in water, protein and fiber tend to have the highest filling effect. Therefore, you should combine watermelon with other foods containing protein and fiber. Oatmeal, seeds, nuts, protein powder, and whole grain bread are great for breakfast as well.
You could eat watermelon seeds as well. They’re edible. Also, they’re packed with fiber and many necessary minerals for belly fat burning.
However, as watermelon regulates appetite, the best time of the day to eat watermelon for weight loss is before a high-calorie meal.
Watermelon at breakfast increases the antioxidant status of the body
Most noteworthy, watermelon is pretty high in antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are a common cause of many diseases.
It’s better to boost the antioxidant status of the body first thing in the morning. They protect us from sun radiation, air pollution, smoking etc.
For instance, watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene. A cup of watermelon has 6.9 mg of lycopene! Lycopene may prevent premature hair loss, regulate cholesterol levels, and help people with atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and several other cardiovascular disorders, due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[3]
Other foods high in lycopene are pink grapefruits, papaya, and all tomato products!
Additionally, watermelon is a great source of vitamin C. A cup of watermelon has approximately 12 mg of vitamin C. Getting high amounts of vitamin C in the morning is good for your skin, hair, eyes, and even for losing weight.
