Nutrition Experts
Question:
My favorite summer fruits are cherries and watermelon. Are they nutritious choices?
Answer:
Fortunately, these popular summer fruits are not only delicious, they're nutritious, too.
Sweet cherries are full of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. In fact, cherries are among the top ten fruits with the highest antioxidant scores, according to studies conducted by the US Department of Agriculture. All that goodness for only about 90 calories per cup! Since cherries don't ripen after they're picked, select those that are plump, firm and shiny with green stems and no soft or brown spots.
As for watermelon, nothing beats a crisp, juicy slice on a hot summer day. Besides serving as a refreshing treat, watermelon is surprisingly nutritious, contributing vitamins A and C, and potassium. Watermelon also contains lycopene, an antioxidant that may help decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
As its name implies, watermelon is full of water. It contains 92 percent water by weight, the highest amount of any fruit, so it helps you stay hydrated on a hot summer day. Watermelon's high water content also helps fill you up for relatively few calories: a two cup serving contains just 100 calories.
Nutritionist Experts
Our Nutrition Experts are registered dietitians who hold master's degrees and are members of the American Dietetic Association and several specialty nutrition groups. They combine over 40 years experience in food and nutrition science, communications and counseling, the culinary arts and the development of nutrition education materials. They are quoted frequently in the national media and have written about nutrition for many major magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.
