Watermelon is not just a juicy summer treat for kids. It’s a nutritious food for everyone, with excellent reasons to eat watermelon during pregnancy.

Do you want:

  • Another way of keeping your fluids up?
  • To deal with morning sickness?
  • To reduce the risk of some complications for you and your baby?

Watermelon is one of the foods that may help deliver these benefits.

watermelon during pregnancy feature

Getting your fluids up

We call it “watermelon” for a reason, with water making up about 90% of the fruit. People in dry parts of the world even grow it as a vital source of water.

Water is essential for health in pregnancy. All that amniotic fluid and extra blood you make is mainly water. You also need water to help carry nutrients and remove waste products.

Just like other water-rich fruits and vegetables, eating watermelon during pregnancy can help you stay hydrated.

Eating during morning sickness

Is eating food and keeping it down more than you can bear to think about? A slice or two of watermelon could help. Many women battling morning sickness find watermelon is easier to keep down. Some say it actually soothes their nausea. When you’re not able to stomach much food, watermelon can give you some energy and hydration.

Possibly preventing complications for mum and bub

Lycopene is a plant chemical from the carotenoid family. Watermelon contains lycopene, which gives it its red colour. Also, it acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are important for overall health because they prevent damage to your cells. Research suggests a link between lycopene and reducing the chances of some pregnancy complications. Complications it may reduce include preeclampsia, growth restriction and newborn breathing problems.

Research has found that carotenoids can reduce the likelihood of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. To test the effects of lycopene in particular, in one study, pregnant women took either a lycopene supplement or a placebo (fake treatment). The researchers reported that women who took the lycopene had only half the risk of preeclampsia. However, other studies using lycopene supplements did not find the same link. We need more research to know whether or not eating watermelon might reduce preeclampsia.

Another potential benefit of lycopene for pregnant women is avoiding gestational diabetes. A 2019 study analysed the diets of nearly 2,000 pregnant women. It reported that for each 1 mg increase in the lycopene they consumed, there was a 5% lower risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Eating watermelon during pregnancy might also benefit the baby. Other research found that lycopene supplements reduced the chances of intrauterine growth restriction (where baby doesn’t grow to normal size). Plus, there is some evidence that when mums have more lycopene, their babies are less likely to have breathing problems or go to a neonatal nursery.

As well as the benefits of lycopene, watermelon contains vitamins and minerals. For example, there’s potassium, manganese and magnesium. Your body uses these to maintain healthy bones, blood pressure, and nerve function.

Watermelon during pregnancy helping you stay regular

As well as bringing joy, pregnancy can also bring constipation and haemorrhoids. Eating foods that contain water and fibre, like watermelon, can keep things moving.

Keeping blood sugars more stable than you think

Watermelon gets a bad rap as being high on the glycaemic index (GI). Higher GI foods make your blood sugar rise more quickly than lower GI foods. However, the GI doesn’t take into account how much sugar the food contains. However, the glycaemic load (GL) does account for the quantity of carbohydrates. As well as how quickly your body breaks them down. Although watermelon has a relatively high GI, it has a low GL because it is 90% water.

In fact, one 2019 study even found that lycopene seemed to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by lowering blood sugars. Similarly, Chinese researchers reported that pregnant women who ate more fruit, especially low GL fruit like watermelon, had a lower likelihood of gestational diabetes.

Of course, it’s still not wise to eat a whole plate of watermelon for lunch. Eat moderate portions of watermelon during pregnancy – around a cup of watermelon cubes. Include it as part of a meal containing a variety of other foods (as per the dietary guidelines). Women with particular issues, like a high risk for gestational diabetes, can ask their dietitian for advice.

watermelon during pregnancy

Making delicious snacks, drinks and side dishes

Simple slices are great, but they’re not the only way to eat watermelon during pregnancy. Mix it up with these versatile options:

  • Watermelon juice – blend watermelon flesh, mint leaves and ginger, then strain if needed.
  • Watermelon salad – combine chunks of watermelon and mango. Then toss with sliced red onion and salad leaves. Then top with shavings of hard cheese, mint leaves and red wine vinegar dressing. (Use feta cheese when you’re not pregnant.)
  • Summer ice blocks – Make ice blocks by blending the watermelon and pouring it into an ice block mould. This is a particularly great choice if morning sickness is getting you down.
  • Barbecued watermelon – grill watermelon slices for 2 minutes. Then dress them with a mixture of honey, lime juice and zest, garlic chilli sauce and coriander leaves.
  • Watermelon gazpacho – Just like the tomato version, watermelon can make refreshing chilled soup in summer—blend watermelon along with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and garlic.

Eating watermelon during pregnancy in moderation can contribute to a healthy, varied diet. It might help keep you and your baby well and avoid complications. If you enjoy watermelon, it’s certainly worth putting it on your shopping list.

Reference List

PBB aims to keep you informed with the latest research-based information. Check out our reference list used in the creation of this article.

Published 7th July 2021

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