Half a watermelon contains a significant amount of calories and nutrients. Determining the exact calorie count requires looking at the average size and nutritional information for watermelons.
Quick Answer
On average, half a medium-sized watermelon with edible flesh of 800 grams or 1.76 pounds contains about 270 calories.
Calculating Watermelon Calorie Count
To estimate the calories in half a watermelon, we need to know:
- The average weight of a medium or large watermelon
- The approximate amount of edible watermelon flesh
- The calorie content in a gram or ounce of watermelon flesh
Let’s look at each factor in detail.
Average Watermelon Weight
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average weight of a medium or large sized whole watermelon is:
- Medium – 13 to 18 pounds
- Large – Over 20 pounds
For simplicity, let’s estimate the average medium watermelon weighs around 15 pounds.
Edible Watermelon Flesh
However, the entire 15 pound weight is not edible flesh. The rind, seeds and non-fleshy parts are inedible.
According to estimates, around 65% of the total weight of a watermelon is edible flesh. The rest is rind and seeds.
So if we take a 15 pound medium watermelon, about 65% of 15 pounds is edible flesh. That comes out to around 9.75 pounds of edible watermelon flesh.
Calories in Watermelon Flesh
Now that we know the average weight of edible watermelon flesh, we need to determine the calories in watermelon per pound or per gram.
Here is the calorie content in watermelon flesh:
- Per 1 pound – 140 calories
- Per 100 grams – 30 calories
This nutritional data is from the USDA FoodData Central database.
Calculating Calories in Half a Watermelon
We have everything we need to determine the calorie count in half a watermelon!
For a 15 pound medium watermelon:
- Edible flesh weight = 9.75 pounds
- Calories per pound = 140 calories
Since we want to know the calories in half the edible flesh:
- Half of 9.75 pounds is 4.875 pounds
- With 140 calories per pound, calories in 4.875 pounds is 4.875 * 140 = 682 calories
We can also calculate the calories by grams:
- 9.75 pounds is 4435 grams (1 pound = 453.5 grams)
- Half of 4435 grams is 2217.5 grams
- With 30 calories per 100 grams, calories in 2217.5 grams is 2217.5 * 30/100 = 665 calories
So for half a medium 15 pound watermelon, the calorie count comes out to between 665 and 682 calories depending on the method of calculation.
Typical Serving Size of Watermelon
Now that we know the calories in half a watermelon, it’s also useful to look at typical serving sizes people may consume.
Here are some common serving sizes for watermelon flesh and their calorie counts:
| Serving Size | Grams | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 watermelon wedge or slice | 280g | 84 |
| 1 cup watermelon balls | 150g | 45 |
| 1 cup diced watermelon | 152g | 46 |
As you can see, people typically consume watermelon in servings of around 1 cup or less. A single serving has between 45-85 calories.
Benefits of Watermelon
Watermelon is not only low in calories but also high in beneficial nutrients.
Here are some of the top health benefits of watermelon:
- Hydrating – It has high water content, helping you rehydrate.
- Nutritious – Packed with vitamins A, C and B6, plus antioxidants like lycopene and carotenoids.
- May lower blood pressure – Citrulline in watermelon may help reduce blood pressure.
- Anti-inflammatory – The antioxidants help lower inflammation and oxidative stress.
- May improve heart health – Watermelon’s nutrients reduce cholesterol and improve artery function.
- Contains electrolytes – It has potassium and magnesium, which are electrolytes lost through sweat.
Watermelon is a great choice as a hydrating low-calorie snack or dessert. It provides plenty of beneficial vitamins, minerals and plant compounds.
Nutritional Profile of Watermelon
Here is the full nutritional value breakdown for 1 cup diced watermelon (152g):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 46 | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 11.5g | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.6g | 2% |
| Sugars | 9.4g | |
| Protein | 0.9g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 12% | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 14% | 14% |
| Magnesium | 6% | 6% |
| Potassium | 4% | 4% |
As you can see, watermelon provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds.
Water Content in Watermelon
One of the biggest benefits of watermelon is its high water content.
The water content in watermelon flesh is around 90-92%. It’s one of the highest water content fruits.
This makes watermelon great for hydration. It can help you stay hydrated on hot summer days.
Choosing the Best Watermelon
Picking a juicy, sweet watermelon can take some skill. Here are some tips for choosing the best watermelon:
- Choose a heavy melon for its size. Heavy means more water content.
- Look for a yellow/cream/white spot on one side. This means it sat on the ground and ripened.
- Check the rind for bruises, dents or cuts. Avoid melons with these.
- Look for a smooth symmetrical shape with no irregular lumps or bumps.
- Rind should be dull, not shiny. Shiny means underripe.
- Press rind with thumb. It should dent slightly when ripe.
Cutting a Whole Watermelon
Follow these steps for cutting a watermelon into wedges, slices, cubes or balls:
- Wash the watermelon thoroughly under water before cutting.
- Place the melon on a clean cutting board or counter.
- Slice off both ends to create flat surfaces.
- Stand the melon upright and slice down the center to cut into two halves.
- Lay each half flat side down to cut into wedges or slices.
- Remove rind and cut fruit away from rind.
- Cut wedges, slices or cubes as desired.
- Scoop out any seeds.
- Store cut melon refrigerated.
Be sure to use a sharp knife and clean cutting board for easiest slicing and dicing.
Storing Leftover Watermelon
Properly stored, cut watermelon lasts 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Follow these storage tips:
- Store cut watermelon in an airtight container.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface of cut fruit.
- Place container in crisper drawer of fridge.
- Consume refrigerated watermelon within 3-5 days.
- Cutting it into smaller pieces helps it last longer.
- Freeze pureed watermelon in ice cube trays for smoothies.
Delicious Watermelon Recipes
Watermelon is delicious eaten fresh and plain, but here are some ideas to use up leftover watermelon in recipes:
- Watermelon salsa – Mix diced watermelon, onion, lime juice, cilantro and jalapeno. Serve with chips.
- Watermelon salad – Toss cubed watermelon with feta and mint. Drizzle balsamic reduction.
- Grilled watermelon – Brush watermelon wedges with olive oil and grill 1-2 minutes per side.
- Watermelon skewers – Make kebabs with watermelon cubes, berries and feta or mozzarella.
- Watermelon pizza – Use sliced watermelon as the base, topped with cheese, basil and tomato sauce.
- Watermelon smoothie – Blend watermelon cubes with yogurt and lime juice. Serve cold.
History of Watermelons
Watermelons have a long history as a cultivated fruit crop. Here are some key points in the origin and domestication of watermelons:
- Originally grew wild in Africa’s Kalahari desert in ancient times.
- Evidence of cultivation in Egypt starting around 2nd millennium BC.
- Mentioned in ancient Hebrew texts as abundant crop grown in Israel.
- Spread to countries around Mediterranean by merchants, travelers and expeditions.
- Introduced to China around 11th century AD during Song dynasty.
- First arrived in Europe around 1300s AD.
- Brought to America by colonists in early 1600s AD.
- New cultivars developed in America in the 1800s led to sweeter, red fleshed melons.
- Now grown globally, with China being the top producer.
Watermelons have a rich history and now are enjoyed around the world as a sweet summertime treat.
Interesting Facts about Watermelons
Here are some interesting facts about watermelons:
- There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon worldwide.
- Watermelons are part of the gourd family which also includes squash and pumpkins.
- The world’s heaviest watermelon recorded was 350 pounds.
- They are 92% water, making them very hydrating.
- China produces about 80 million tons of watermelon annually.
- Oklahoma state vegetable is the watermelon.
- National Watermelon Day in USA is August 3.
- Fun family activity is to hold seed-spitting contests.
Conclusion
To estimate the calories in half a watermelon, start by determining the average weight and edible flesh amount. Then use trusted nutrition data for calories per gram or pound of flesh. Approximately half of a 15 pound medium watermelon contains around 665-682 calories.
Watermelon is not only low calorie but provides hydration and important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s no wonder watermelon is a beloved summer fruit around the world. Now that you know how much calorie is in your favorite juicy fruit, enjoy it without guilt!
