Many gastric bypass patients report melon to be one of the easiest of fruits to enjoy after surgery. Melons are generally low in natural sugar, ripe on flavor and easily digestible. They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Vitamin B6, folate and dietary fiber. How to Select and Store The key to purchasing a quality melon is to find one that is ripe. If you tap the melon with the palm of your hand and hear a hollow sound, the melon has passed is ripe. Choose a melon that seems heavy for its size, and one that does not have bruises or overly soft spots. Melons & Food Borne Illness Because of heightened sensitivity to foods and food borne illness gastric bypass patients must exercise extreme food safety precautions. Follow these simple guidelines to help keep your fruit fresh as well as safe. When you buy cut melons, be sure they have been buried in ice or displayed in a refrigerated case, not just displayed on top of ice. Uncut melon does not need to be refrigerated. Before cutting, the outer surface of the melon should be washed with drinking water to remove surface dirt. Hands and all equipment and utensils (cutting boards, knives, etc.) need to be washed thoroughly with hot soapy water, and rinsed. Cut melons must be refrigerated at 41 F or below. Cut melons may be served without refrigeration for a maximum of 4 hours (such as at a brunch, picnic, or buffet). At the end of that time, any leftover melon must be thrown away. A Few Quick Serving Ideas: Add some sparkling water to fresh squeezed cantaloupe juice for a delightfully refreshing drink in the warm months of the year. In a blender or food processor, pure cantaloupe and peeled soft peaches to make delicious cold soup. Add lemon juice and sweetener (sparingly) to taste. Top cantaloupe slices with yogurt, and chopped mint. Slice melons in half horizontally, scoop out seeds and use each half as a basket in which to serve fruit salad. |
