I often use watermelon as a starter (served in a glass with a couple of berries and a ½ tsp honey drizzled over the top – yum) but it is equally as good in a salad. It is super for hydration as it contains so much water, but also contains anti-oxidants which help us to fight free radical damage.
In addition, watermelons contain natural sugars and are a much better way to satisfy a craving for something sweet than processed sugars. One of the top benefits for me though is that the red colour comes from an amazing anti-oxidant called Lycopene and watermelons contain more lycopene than even tomatoes! Studies show that it “may help curb the risk of cancer and diabetes as part of a healthy lifestyle” according to www.webmd.com.
Ingredients
• Rocket leaves
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Quinoa cooked with turmeric and black pepper and mixed with some leftover kidney beans and chickpeas
• Watermelon cubes griddled (you could have them cold either but warming them on the grill makes them even sweeter and heats up those lycopenes
• Chopped cashews (or hazelnuts or pine nuts)• Salad Dressing
Method
✓ Cook your quinoa and leave to cool (make extra so that you can have for lunches for next couple of days)
✓ Slice the watermelon and grill
✓ When warmed through, remove the skin and cube watermelon
✓ Place the rocket, tomatoes and quinoa salad in a wide bowl or plate
✓ Add your watermelon cubes
✓ Drizzle over your salad dressing (See recipes)
✓ Sprinkle over your chopped nuts
You can change up the ingredients depending on what you have in your fridge but just make sure to add some good quality plant protein to help you stay feeling full. The watermelon is so good!!