{"id":77296,"date":"2012-08-09T11:38:42","date_gmt":"2012-08-09T16:38:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/?p=77296"},"modified":"2012-08-09T11:40:15","modified_gmt":"2012-08-09T16:40:15","slug":"deliciously-creative-ways-to-use-your-melon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/08\/deliciously-creative-ways-to-use-your-melon\/","title":{"rendered":"Deliciously Creative Ways to Use Your Melon"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kati Mora, MS, RD for Around the Plate<\/em><\/p>\n

Melons might just be one of the most overlooked fruits of the season. And although other summer treats like berries<\/a><\/strong> and peaches are great, melons shouldn\u2019t be forgotten.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Of course, watermelon is often a summertime staple<\/a><\/strong>, but what about the other members of the melon family like honeydew and cantaloupe, just to name a few? Melons are great fruit options worth enjoying during some of the warmest months of the year, and not just because of their high water content! Melons are virtual nutrient powerhouses. Let\u2019s take a closer look at two of my personal favorites: cantaloupe and honeydew.<\/p>\n

Cantaloupe Melon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the cantaloupe isn\u2019t quite as orange as a carrot, it’s still a great source of vitamin A. In fact, some studies even claim that cantaloupes can have as much as 3,138 micrograms of the carotenoid beta-carotene for every 100 grams of fresh weight. That\u2019s 30 times more than vitamin A\u2019s poster child, the carrot.<\/p>\n

You will also find a lot of vitamin C in a cantaloupe. What won\u2019t you find? Too many calories. At only 54 calories per cup, it is a snack you can feel pretty good about.<\/p>\n

Honeydew Melon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking to get even more antioxidants? Honeydew melons can help you do just that! With 53% of your daily value of vitamin C in just 1 cup, you\u2019re looking at a lot of antioxidant power<\/a><\/strong>. Antioxidants are beneficial for so many reasons. By incorporating them into your day, you can reduce your chronic disease risk and lessen tissue damage.<\/p>\n

Honeydew melons can also help keep your vision 20\/20 because of a little phytonutrient called zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin, another type of carotenoid, is what gives the honeydew melon its green color and has been shown to accumulate in your eyes, protecting it from harmful blue light.<\/p>\n

How to Eat Your Melons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although melons are often easily forgotten, they are actually quite versatile. If you are looking for a few creative ways to incorporate them into your meals and snacks, consider the following:<\/p>\n