Watermelon is a refreshing, delicious fruit that is enjoyed by many during the warm summer months. When eating watermelon, some people prefer to spit out or remove the seeds, while others don’t mind eating the seeds at all. So should you remove watermelon seeds or just eat them? There are pros and cons to both options.
Reasons to Remove Watermelon Seeds
Here are some of the main reasons why people choose to remove watermelon seeds:
Avoid Crunchy Texture
Watermelon seeds have a hard, crunchy texture that some find unappealing when contrasted with the soft, juicy flesh of the melon. Removing the seeds can provide a smoother, more enjoyable eating experience.
Eat More Flesh
Watermelon seeds take up space that could otherwise be occupied by edible watermelon flesh. Spitting out or removing the seeds means you can fill up on more of the sweet, delicious meat of the melon.
Avoid Mess
Eating watermelon can be a drippy, messy affair. Watermelon seeds can end up scattered over your clothes, furniture, and floor. Removing the seeds beforehand eliminates this nuisance.
Appear More Polite
In certain social settings, spitting watermelon seeds or eating them loudly may be seen as impolite or bad etiquette. Removing the seeds can help you avoid appearing ill-mannered around others.
Avoid Choking Hazard
Watermelon seeds present a minor choking risk, especially for young children. Removing the seeds eliminates this potential danger.
Accommodate Dietary Restrictions
Some diets like low-carb or low-fiber may restrict high-fiber foods like seeds. Removing watermelon seeds allows those with certain dietary needs to enjoy this tasty fruit.
Reduce Cleanup
Eating watermelon can leave a lot of debris behind like rinds and seeds. Removing the seeds before eating or serving watermelon minimizes the cleanup required afterward.
Reasons to Eat Watermelon Seeds
On the other hand, there are also some benefits to consuming watermelon seeds:
Nutritious
Watermelon seeds are highly nutritious, being packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B, and other important nutrients. Eating them provides extra vitamins and minerals.
Natural Snack
Roasted watermelon seeds are a crunchy, satisfying snack. They contain less sugar and more nutrition than many other snack foods.
Provide Texture Contrast
The crunch of watermelon seeds can provide an interesting contrast to the softness of the surrounding fruit. This added texture may enhance the eating experience for some.
Reduce Waste
Watermelon seeds are edible and nutritious. Spitting them out results in unnecessary food waste. Eating the entire fruit makes use of all its parts.
Good Source of Fiber
Watermelon seeds are high in fiber, which aids digestion and heart health. This makes them a smart addition to your diet if you want to boost fiber intake.
Naturally Occurring
Removing watermelon seeds requires extra effort. Some prefer to simply enjoy this fruit in its natural, unaltered state, seeds and all.
Fun Activity for Kids
Watermelon seed spitting contests are a classic summertime activity for kids. Eating the seeds can be part of the fun.
Cultural Tradition
In some cultures, watermelon seeds are routinely eaten and even prized as a snack. Not spitting them out reflects this traditional practice.
Nutritional Value of Watermelon Seeds
To decide whether to eat or remove watermelon seeds, it helps to look at their nutritional content:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 51 | 3% |
| Protein | 1.5g | 3% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Carbs | 3g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.6g | 2% |
| Magnesium | 55mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 112mg | 3% |
*Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet
As you can see, watermelon seeds provide protein, healthy fats, magnesium, potassium and other important nutrients. The calories and carbohydrates are low, while the fiber content is moderate. Overall, watermelon seeds can contribute valuable nutrition if consumed.
Possible Drawbacks of Eating Watermelon Seeds
Despite their nutritional benefits, there are some potential downsides associated with eating watermelon seeds:
Digestive Issues
For some people, consuming a large quantity of watermelon seeds may cause minor digestive problems like gas, bloating or diarrhea due to their high fiber content. Moderation is key.
Allergies
Watermelon seeds contain cucurbitacin E, a compound that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This allergy is rare but may cause itchiness and swelling if present.
Choking Risk
Watermelon seeds could potentially cause choking, especially in young children who have not yet learned proper chewing and swallowing technique. Supervise kids when consuming seeds.
Hard on Dental Work
The hard outer shell of watermelon seeds can sometimes crack dental fillings, crowns or other dental work if bitten into. Consume seeds cautiously if you have vulnerable teeth.
High in Calories
While not excessive, watermelon seeds do contain more calories ounce for ounce than the flesh. Those restricting calories may want to limit seed intake.
Time-Consuming
Removing hundreds of tiny watermelon seeds by hand can be tedious and time-consuming. Some prefer to avoid this hassle.
As with any food, moderation and caution are recommended when consuming watermelon seeds. But for most people, occasional consumption should not pose any problems.
How to Eat Watermelon Seeds
If you opt to eat watermelon seeds, here are some tips for the best experience:
– Chew the seeds thoroughly before swallowing to reduce choking hazard and make digestion easier. Take care not to bite down directly on hard dental work.
– Start slowly if not used to high fiber foods, since overdoing it may cause gastric distress. Have no more than a handful at a time.
– Stay hydrated by enjoying seeds as part of a whole watermelon, which has high water content.
– Season roasted seeds with spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder or chili powder for added flavor. Roast at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
– Look for non-GMO, organic varieties when purchasing seeds in bulk for roasting. This minimizes potential pesticide exposure.
– Store any uneaten roasted seeds in an airtight container for up to a week. Enjoy as a healthy snack.
– If allowing kids to eat seeds, teach them to chew thoroughly and spit out any unchewable chunks to lower choking risk. Supervise young children.
– Those with digestive issues or seed allergies should avoid eating watermelon seeds to prevent adverse reactions.
Conclusion
Should you remove watermelon seeds or consume them? There are good arguments on both sides. Watermelon seeds provide nutritional benefits like protein, magnesium and fiber, offer an interesting crunch, and reduce waste. However, they need to be eaten in moderation to avoid minor digestive issues and their hard texture is not for everyone.
In the end, whether to eat watermelon seeds comes down to personal preference. Watermelon can be enjoyed with or without seeds. If you do opt to eat them, chew thoroughly, supervise kids, and be cautious if you have dental issues or allergies. Whichever you choose, be sure to relish this juicy, refreshing fruit all summer long.