Cantaloupe

Pump up your potassium! The potassium in cantaloupes can help lower blood pressure, alleviate muscle cramps and maintain proper fluid balance in the body.

Did You Know?

• Cantaloupes are high in vitamin C and low in calories and sodium.
• Cantaloupes belong to the same family as squash, pumpkins and cucumbers.
• Cantaloupes are named for the papal gardens of Cantalupo, Italy, where some historians say this species of melon was first grown.
• Cantaloupe can be eaten right off of the rind, blended into a smoothie or scooped out in little balls for a decorative dish.

Shopping, Preparing and Storing

• Bacteria can grow on the surface, so it is important to wash the outside of cantaloupe before cutting it.
• A ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet scent at room temperature.
• Examine the melon for soft spots, cracking or mold before purchasing.

Cooking Tips

• Cantaloupe flavors well with mint, yogurt, cottage cheese and lime.
• Add fresh cantaloupe slices to low-fat yogurt for a healthy and tasty breakfast.
• Make your own cantaloupe treat by mixing pureed cantaloupe and low-fat yogurt together. Pour it into a popsicle mold and freeze.

Cantaloupe Nutrition

Serving size: 1 cup

Calories: 54; Total Fat: 0 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Total Carbohydrates: 13 g; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 26 mg

Download a flyer to print about Florida cantaloupe [ 2.9 MB ] .