Nutrition and Weight Loss Ideas

As many of you already know, I follow the South Beach Diet in my own nutrition and weight loss program. As a result, I get many great health and nutrition tips from them on a regular basis. Since the South Beach program has worked so well for me, I would like to share some of the tips I receive from them.

One of those tips that is pertinent to this season is the following about one of my favorite snacks, the Cantaloupe.

Cantaloupes reach their peak ripeness between June and August. These melons, related to summer squash, resemble pumpkin and butternut squash in their high potassium and vitamin C content. They’re a great choice for a fruit starting in Phase 2 of the South Beach Diet®.

Buying

Cantaloupes are picked when ripe and stop ripening once they leave the vine. This makes it essential to choose a melon that was picked at just the right time.

How can you tell if a cantaloupe is ready to eat?

The color should be slightly golden under the mesh-like rind (avoid fruit with a dull green appearance); the rind should cover the whole fruit. The stem end should have a slight indentation, and the other end should yield to gentle pressure and should emit a fruity fragrance. A ripe melon will not be flattened or lopsided, but it’s natural to see some bleaching on the side where it was laying on the ground.

Storing

Though cantaloupes don’t require further ripening, you can improve the taste by storing them at room temperature for a couple of days. The fruit won’t become sweeter, but it will become softer and juicier. Cantaloupes should be refrigerated once cut, and it’s best to eat them within two days. Store cut pieces in an airtight plastic bag or container.

Preparing

Cantaloupe is a snap to prepare — simply wash the rind with cold water, cut it open, and scoop out the seeds and strings. Then, you can eat the flesh with a spoon, cut it into wedges, or scoop it out with a melon baller. Cantaloupe can be consumed as is or tossed into a refreshing fruit salad.

One of the ways that I enjoy it is in combination with other fresh fruits.

As always, remember to follow a good-fat — good-carb diet. And do whatever you can, within your doctors recommendations, to keep up with the exercise part of your program. The benefits are priceless.

Here is some information about the nutritional supplements I add to my nutrition and weight loss program. These have helped me more than I would have ever imagined. I’m not kidding. Click on the links in the box below — you won’t be sorry!

Have a great day. I’ll be back soon with some more nutrition and weight loss thoughts for you.

And give the South Beach Diet a try. That’s what I follow and it sure has worked for me. Here’s where to go to learn more:

Shanti,

Ron
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