Fruits belonging to the pumpkin family are often used as part of weight loss diets. This family also includes melons such as melon. Is melon a dietary product, is it useful for losing weight and at what time is it better to use it to get the maximum positive effect, read below.

Calorie content and chemical composition

100 g of fresh melon contains 33 kcal, which accounts for:

• protein - 0.6 g;
• fats - 0.3 g;
• carbohydrates - 7.4 g.

100 g of fresh produce contains 88.5 g of water.

The remaining 11.5 g are:

• pectins;
• cellulose;
• organic acids;
• ash.

As for the vitamin composition, the largest part is allocated to ascorbic acid - up to 20 mg. Fluctuations in this indicator depend on the variety of products and growing conditions. For example, growing on dry soils under the bright sun can increase sugar content and antioxidant content by 4%.In addition to ascorbic acid, melon contains:

• folic acid - 6 mcg;
• retinol acetate - 0.4 mg;
• niacin - 0.4 mg;
• thiamine - 0.4 mg;
• riboflavin - 0.4;
• tocopherol - 0.1 mg.

Of the trace elements the composition includes:

• potassium - 118 mg;
• sodium - 32 mg;
• phosphorus - 12–16 mg;
• magnesium - 12–16 mg;
• zinc - 90 mcg;
• copper - 47 mcg;
• Manganese - 35 mcg;
• iron;
• iodine;
• cobalt.

In 100 g of product, the sucrose content ranges from 0.67–12.9%. Its content depends on climate conditions and soil composition.

How melon affects weight loss

Thanks to antioxidants, melon promotes the regeneration of the body at the cellular level, and also allows you to remove toxins from the body. The high content of carbohydrates helps to restore the wasted energy and water-electrolyte balance of the body with increased physical activity and reducing the calorie content of the menu by refusing sugary foods.

When losing weight, the most important step is to cleanse the body of toxins, which is facilitated by fiber and organic acids in the fruits. With their help, normal bowel function is restored and problems with stool are eliminated.

Important! When melon is dried, its caloric content increases to 344 kcal. In this form, products are best consumed in very small quantities as a dessert.

The benefits of melon when losing weight

If it is necessary to drive off the weight, usually a large number of products are excluded from the diet, due to which the intake of nutrients decreases and the excretion of fluid from the body increases. If at the very beginning the body draws energy by breaking down proteins and carbohydrates, then later the active process of breaking down fats and lowering blood sugar begins. This can cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, decreased performance. In addition, rapid weight loss can lead to irregular menstruation in women.

• Due to the content of a large number of vitamins, minerals and fiber during weight loss, the product provides invaluable benefits for the body through:
• restoration of electrolyte balance;
• improving the central nervous system, which positively affects overall well-being;
• increase the body's resistance to infections;
• improving the condition of the skin;
• excretion of toxins from the body;
• maintaining the functionality of the endocrine system;
• regulation of physiological processes, restoring the structural cells of hair, nails and teeth.

Harm and contraindications

Gourds must be consumed in strictly dosed quantities, otherwise the following side effects are possible:

• violation of the stool and vomiting;
• increased blood sugar in diabetics;
• a change in the intestinal microflora.

Eat gourds better in the morning. Due to the content of fiber, the body spends more energy on its processing, while breaking down fats. However, with the use of this product at night should be careful. High sucrose can cause fat to build up. Melon can be consumed for dinner in the evening 4 hours before bedtime. Otherwise, stomach discomfort during sleep and fluid retention due to a slowdown in the digestion process and increased stress on the kidneys are possible.

The product cannot be combined with alcohol and dairy products. Its use should occur 2-3 hours before the main meal.

• Melon is contraindicated in the presence of:
• kidney and urinary tract diseases;
• diabetes mellitus;
• allergies to products similar to her;
• melon allergies;
• disorders of the digestive tract, accompanied by an increase / decrease in acidity.

Important! A normal weight loss is 1–2 kg per week. Loss of more than 8 kg per month can lead to disruption of the heart, reproductive system.

Cooking recommendations

It is best to use fresh melon in combination with fat-burning products, such as citrus and dill. So it stores more nutrients. A great option is a salad of melon and fennel.

To prepare it you will need:

• melon with dense pulp;
• fennel root and a pair of its stems;
• a sliver of orange peel;
• 1 tbsp. l freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice;
• 2 tbsp. olive oil;
• salt, pepper to taste.

Melon is peeled and sunflower seeds and cut into small cubes. Similarly cut the fennel root and chop its leaves. Citrus juices, zest and salt, pepper are added to olive oil. All ingredients are mixed and consumed immediately. This salad can be eaten after breakfast. 100 g of melon and fennel salad contains 80 kcal.

Melon gazpacho is a great alternative to the second course for lunch or dinner.

To prepare it you will need:

• melon weighing 1.5 kg;
• cucumber;
• Red onion;
• 2 parts of salt;
• 0.25 Art. olive oil;
• 0.5 tbsp. water;
• ground black pepper to taste;
• 2 sprigs of mint.

Did you know? In the Middle Ages, the pulp of melon and its bones were used by the ministers of the occult sciences to make a love potion. Perhaps this made sense somewhere, because the fetus is a powerful aphrodisiac and positively affects the condition of the reproductive system.

The main ingredient is peeled and pitted. Then cut into pieces. Cucumber and onions are also peeled and finely chopped. All ingredients are immersed in a blender, adding salt, water and olive oil. When the mass becomes homogeneous, the dish is transferred to a plate and decorated with mint leaves. Use cold. 100 g of finished products contain 86 kcal.

Snacks can be replaced with melon smoothies.

To the pulp of the main ingredient, you can add:

• peeled cucumber;
• grapefruit;
• orange;
• an Apple;
• passion fruit.

The cleaned pulp of the product is simply whipped in a blender and immediately drunk. Do not get too carried away with such a product and exceed a dosage of 200 ml.

To be able to use the fruits year-round, they can be frozen. To do this, the pulp, peeled from the peel and seeds, is cut into cubes and laid out on the board in one layer. It is frozen at a temperature of -18 ° C, and then packaged in sealed bags in batches. Products in this form can be stored for 12 months, provided that they will not be re-frozen.

Did you know? The flesh of the melon and its seeds are an anthelmintic.

Some useful tips for eating melon pulp:

1. Use the products in small portions, dividing into 5–7 doses, not more than 300 g at a time.
2. The daily rate of consumption of pulp is 1.5 kg.
3. Do not wash melon dishes with cold water or dairy products.
4. Eat the pulp no earlier than 1 hour after the main meal and 2 hours before.
5. It is better not to eat the product on an empty stomach in the morning.
6. A fasting day on a melon, involving the use of only this product and still water, can be carried out no more than 1 time per week.
7. Melon mono-diet should not exceed 2-7 days in duration.

Melon - an extremely useful product for weight loss. Proper consumption of it allows not only to improve your appearance by removing extra centimeters at the waist, but also to enrich the body with useful vitamins and minerals.