**1. Sweetness and Nutrition of Korean Melon**
The Korean melon is a representative summer fruit, characterized by its crisp texture and sweet taste. It has a high water content and is rich in Vitamin C and potassium. Many people believe that removing the sweet part where the seeds are attached, called the ‘placenta,’ is better for diabetes because it is the sweetest part.
**2. Misconceptions About Removing the Seeds**
– **Sugar is Throughout the Flesh:** The sweetness (sugar) of the melon is not concentrated only in the placenta where the seeds are; it is spread evenly throughout the flesh. Therefore, removing the seedy part does not significantly reduce its impact on blood sugar.
– **Nutrients in the Seeds and Placenta:** On the contrary, the seeds and placenta are more than 5 times richer in water-soluble vitamins like folic acid and Vitamin C than the flesh. Discarding this part is a nutritional loss.
**3. The Right Way for People with Diabetes to Eat Korean Melon**
– **’Portion Control’ is Key:** The key to managing any fruit in a diabetic diet is to control the portion size per serving. For Korean melons, it is advisable not to exceed 1/2 a melon at a time.
– **Eat with Seeds:** To consume all the nutrients, it is better to eat it together with the seeds, unless they cause digestive discomfort.
– **As a Snack Between Meals, Not After:** Like other fruits, it is wise to consume it as a snack between meals rather than right after a meal to reduce the blood sugar burden.
Summary: Removing the seeds of a Korean melon does not significantly help with blood sugar control and may just be a waste of nutrients. It is far more important for a person with diabetes to stick to the portion size of ‘half a melon’ than to worry about removing the seeds.
Leave a Reply