Why Watermelon Slushie is Good for You and How to Make it
Watermelon slushie is a simple delicious drink, that even a 6-year-old can make alone. You cannot go wrong with it. No added sugar, no preservatives, just fruit and water, to keep you hydrated and energized.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating 1.5 to 2.5 cups of fruit daily because fruits are nutritious, low in calories, and help reduce the risk of many health issues like heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, weak bones, and some cancers. Fruits give us important nutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, C, and E, folate, and fiber, and are low in sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. However, both kids and adults in the US eat less fruit than recommended, with kids eating about 1.10 cups and adults about 0.88 cups per day. Younger children tend to eat more fruit, but intake drops as they grow older, resulting in less fruit consumption among older teens and young adults compared to older adults.
Well, even after these sad statistics, you are still hesitating to prepare the watermelon slushy at home, just because you are kind of not excited to do the necessary work and remove the seeds, here are some great reasons, why a watermelon slushy is good for you.
This should motivate you enough, to put some effort and remove the seeds.
Why Watermelon Slushie is Good for You
Hydrating
First and foremost, watermelon is composed of about 92% water, making this slushy an excellent choice for staying hydrated, especially in hot weather.
Low in Calories
Second, watermelon is low in calories but high in nutrients, making the slushy a refreshing and guilt-free treat.
Rich in Nutrients
Watermelon is part of the gourd family and is available year-round in the US. It’s in the food category of citrus, melons, and berries. Watermelon provides important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, and fiber. It’s also rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and l-citrulline. Studies have shown that watermelon supplements can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. While these studies often involve large amounts of watermelon, eating raw watermelon has also shown benefits like reduced triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, body weight, BMI, and a lower risk of certain cancers.
Watermelon is great for skin health and immune function.
Supports Digestion
Watermelon contains fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Natural Sweetness
The natural sweetness of watermelon means you can enjoy a delicious treat without the need for added sugars.
Refreshing and Cooling:
The cold, slushy texture is perfect for cooling down on a hot day, providing instant refreshment.
That were all good reasons! And now, let’s get started with a simplest recipe ever!
Recipe for Watermelon Slushie
Ingredients
- 4 cups of watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Watermelon
Cut a ripe watermelon into cubes and remove any seeds. You can use a seedless watermelon to make this step easier.
Blend Ingredients
Place the watermelon cubes and ice cubes into a blender.
Blend Until Smooth
Blend the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is smooth and has a slushy consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender a few times to ensure everything is well blended.
Serve Immediately
Pour the watermelon slushy into glasses. Garnish with mint leaves if desired.
Enjoy
Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Watermelon Slushy
Watermelon slushy is a simple delicious drink, that even a 6-year-old can make alone. You cannot go wrong with it. No added sugar, no preservatives, just fruit and water, to keep you hydrated and energized.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Watermelon. Cut a ripe watermelon into cubes and remove any seeds. You can use a seedless watermelon to make this step easier.
2. Blend the Ingredients. Place the watermelon cubes and ice cubes into a blender.
3. Blend Until Smooth. Blend the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is smooth and has a slushy consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender a few times to ensure everything is well blended.
4. Serve Immediately. Pour the watermelon slushy into glasses. Garnish with mint leaves if desired.
5. Enjoy. Drink immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor and of course to get a brain freeze.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 60Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 0g
Tips
For an even colder slushy, you can freeze the watermelon cubes for a few hours before blending.
Experiment with adding other fruits like strawberries or blueberries for a different flavor twist.
This watermelon slushy is a healthy, hydrating, and delicious treat that’s perfect for any time you need a refreshing pick-me-up. How about some more healthy summer drinks?
Happy Summer!
