Seed spitting contests are arguably the best part of summer: there’s no better feeling than pelting your older sibling with watermelon seeds or seeing who can spit them the farthest. Guess what? It’s time to rethink your favorite summer activity, because science says eating watermelon seeds is actually good for you.
Photo courtesy of naturallyhealthyteam.com
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, watermelon seeds are super high in protein. Just one cup of seeds gives you 61% of your daily recommended intake, as well as 19% of your daily vitamin B. That makes them more nutritious than almonds and sunflower seeds.
Watermelon seeds need to be germinated, dried, and shelled before they’re edible, but it’s not difficult to do this at home. Use this guide to help you out. If you’re not interested in sprouting the seeds on your own, you can order them online.
Photo by Tess Wei
While you might think watermelon seeds actually taste like watermelon, they don’t (lame, we know). They actually taste a lot like sunflower seeds. Eat them as a snack, add them to salads or yogurt, throw some in your morning smoothie, or use them in granola bars and bake them into breads.