Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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So what's the deal with watermelon? Is it really that bad? If anyone has good evidence (not an opinion) as to why it should be avoided, please fill me in. Thanks!

flag	asked Aug 23 2011 at 12:07 dooliemcjules 297●1●10

Who said watermelon was bad???? – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Aug 23 2011 at 13:07

Many posts on this site and others ie Sisson, don't speak too highly of the fruit. I think it is very yummy and cheap, and for some reason it seems to fill me up and satisfy my "sweet" cravings. P.S. I love, love, love your site! – dooliemcjules Aug 23 2011 at 13:17

oh thanks. Haha, I just can't see a reason watermelon would be bad. Maybe if it were your entire diet like it seems to be for some fruitarians... – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Aug 23 2011 at 13:19

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Dr Harris says to avoid it on his getting started page - it's higher than most fruit in the ratio of fructose to glucose. I wouldn't recommmend eating a lot of it. And probably avoid if you are obese or diabetic. And based on cliff's answer, maybe it's just good for you. (The more time I spend on PH or reading Guyenet, the less I know anything for sure.) – Dave S. Aug 23 2011 at 13:44

cliff · Answer 1 · 2011-08-23 12:26:55Z UTC

Quality watermelon is some of the tastiest food around and its packed with goodies, absolutely no valid reason to avoid the stuff imo.

Watermelon is extremely calorie poor making it very hard to eat a substantial amount, this is why the GI is 72 but the GL is 3.

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/4/1043.short -Consumption of Watermelon Juice Increases Plasma Concentrations of Lycopene and ß-Carotene in Humans

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/137/12/2680.abstract -Dietary Supplementation with Watermelon Pomace Juice Enhances Arginine Availability and Ameliorates the Metabolic Syndrome in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Beth-WeightMaven · Answer 2 · 2011-08-23 13:00:57Z UTC

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Watermelon sometimes gets a ding because of its relatively higher fructose content. Me, I'd eat it in season if I got it locally, but probably wouldn't make it my go-to fruit.

answered Aug 23 2011 at 13:00

Beth-WeightMaven
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Watermelon: Friend or Foe?

2 Answers