Watermelons!

Alicia used to dislike watermelons when she was younger. She always gave me the disgusted look while spitting it out. Somehow recently she has decided that she likes it and when I fed her some the day before yesterday, she kept coming back for more. Even though today's watermelon wasn't as sweet as the other batch I bought two days ago, she still ate it happily.

That's one more fruit to add to the list (and grocery bag)! :)

Here's what I gathered about the nutritional value of watermelons (from http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/nutrition-watermelon.php):

• Watermelon is rich in carotenoids. Some of the carotenoids in watermelon include lycopene, phytofluene, phytoene, beta-carotene, lutein, and neurosporene. Lycopene makes up the majority of the carotenoids in watermelon. The carotenoid content varies depending on the variety of the watermelon. Depending on the variety, carotenoid content in red fleshed watermelon varies from 37 – 121 mg/kg fresh weight, where as lycopene varies from 35 – 112 mg/kg fresh weight.
• Carotenoids have antioxidant activity, free-radical scavenging property. Several researches have reported an association between dietary lycopene consumption and lower incidence in diseases such as prostate and oral cancers. Lycopene may also help reduce risks of cardiovascular disease.
• Watermelon seeds are excellent sources of protein (both essential and non-essential amino acids) and oil. Watermelon seed is about 35% protein, 50% oil, and 5% dietary fiber.
• Watermelon seed is also rich in micro- and macro-nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, zinc etc