How Healthy Is the Watermelon Diet for Weight Loss This Season

What is the watermelon diet and is it even healthy to go on it? Read all about the watermelon diet here.

Watermelon diet is the latest diet fad which is doing the rounds.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

Summers are finally here! And it brings along juicy watermelons with it, which are not only healthy but also aid weight loss.

The watermelon diet, which is a quick and reliable way to lose weight, has been a rage among many for obvious reasons. Watermelons are one of the best ways to keep yourself hydrated in the summers and you also get a good dose of nutrients with it.

And like every other diet craze, the watermelon diet promises to be the ultimate way to lose those extra kilos!

Are you wondering if you could do it? Is it even healthy to go on it? Read all about the watermelon diet here.

How Does The Watermelon Diet Work?

There a few versions of watermelon diet available online but primarily, there are two types, a short and a long one.(Photo Courtesy: Flickr)

There are a few versions of this diet available online, but primarily, there are two types, a short and a long one.

Short-Term Watermelon Diet

The short-term watermelon diet involves a short and strict period where you eat nothing, but watermelons. This period usually lasts for four to five days after which you can return to your normal diet. This is the most sought after version since it is for a shorter duration and is believed to have good detoxifying effects.

Some short-term versions involve eating 3 large watermelons, approximately 9 kgs each, over the four or five day period. Post this, you can return to your normal diet.

Long-Term Watermelon Diet

The long-term watermelon diet involves consumption of only watermelons for three days. Post that, you can start adding more foods items to your diet.

Gradually, you can move to consuming watermelon as a snack in between two meals. This can last for a period of six to ten days. Since you are not restricted to having only watermelons, you can add more low-calorie foods like cereals, grilled vegetables, salads etc.

What Makes Watermelons Healthy?

Watermelon is a rich source of vitamin A and potassium. (Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)

Watermelon is 92 percent water by weight, the highest percentage of any fruit. This makes it a perfect solution to give dehydration a miss. It is filling, low on calories, helps detoxify the body and is a rich source of fibre.

It is also a food item that promotes good heart health. It has vitamin A, potassium and lycopenes along with an amino acid called L-citrulline, which is known to lower blood pressure levels.

Studies show that consuming watermelon on a regular basis have had a positive impact on aortic blood pressure and other vascular parameters. Blood pressure and cardiac stress levels also improved with watermelon consumption.

Nutritionist Rupali Datta says:

Watermelons are a good diuretic and must be consumed along with other fruits during summers. Relying solely on them for all your nutritional requirements is not a good idea.

Rupali Datta, Nutritionist

Potential Risks of the Watermelon Diet

The initial restrictive nature of this diet prevents any consumption of proteins. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The initial restrictive nature of this diet prevents any consumption of proteins. So, experts don’t recommend it for children, pregnant women or anyone with low levels of immunity.

Consuming only watermelons for five days is a terrible idea. Not only are you depriving your body of other essential nutrients, you will also not be able to sustain the weight loss after the diet is over. The low calorie intake during the diet may also make you prone to overeating once the diet is over.

Rupali Datta, Nutritionist

Also, any workout during the diet must be kept to a minimal since the low calorie levels in your body might make you feel dizzy or tired.

So What’s The Final Verdict?

Nutritionist Rupali Datta advises strongly against following the watermelon diet for a longer period of time.

You might want to fast for a day and snack on watermelons which is fine. That will help you detox and cleanse. But consuming such large quantities of the fruit for a longer period is not recommended at all. It is an unhealthy diet which might cause more harm than good. Weight can be managed by eating clean and maintaining an active lifestyle, not by following such extreme diets.

Rupali Datta, Nutritionist

There you go. Now you can make an informed choice!

(Have you subscribed to FIT’s newsletter yet? Click here and get health updates directly in your inbox.)