Can you eat watermelon while pregnant?

Yes, you can eat watermelon while pregnant. The NHS says that most fruit and vegetables are safe during pregnancy, provided they are washed thoroughly before eating. Watermelon is not on the NHS list of foods to avoid.

Fresh watermelon can be part of a varied pregnancy diet, just like other fruits. The main thing to think about is food hygiene, particularly because the outside of a melon is cut through before you eat the flesh. Pre-cut watermelon also needs to be kept chilled and eaten before its use-by date.

There is no need to eat watermelon because you are pregnant, and it does not have special powers to fix common pregnancy symptoms. If you enjoy it, though, it can simply remain one of your usual fruit choices.

Is watermelon safe during pregnancy?

Watermelon is generally safe to eat during pregnancy.

NHS pregnancy guidance recommends eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh, frozen, canned and dried options can all contribute.

Watermelon is one of many fruits you can choose. An NHS guide to 5 A Day portions lists one slice of watermelon as an example of an adult fruit portion.

You do not need to count every piece precisely. The broader aim is to include a variety of fruit and vegetables across your diet.

Should you wash watermelon before cutting it?

Fresh fruit should be washed thoroughly during pregnancy, and that includes fruit with a rind you do not plan to eat.

The NHS advises washing fruit, vegetables and salads carefully to remove traces of soil because soil can contain bacteria or parasites that may make you unwell.

With watermelon, the edible flesh is protected by the rind, but your knife passes through the outside as you cut it. Washing the melon before cutting and using clean hands, utensils and preparation surfaces are sensible food hygiene measures.

Once cut, keep the watermelon appropriately chilled rather than leaving prepared fruit sitting out for long periods.

What about pre-cut watermelon?

Pre-cut watermelon can be eaten during pregnancy, but storage matters.

Current NHS pregnancy guidance specifically mentions pre-packaged and pre-cut fruit, including melon. It advises keeping it chilled and eating it before the use-by date.

That means ready-cut watermelon from a supermarket or fruit pot does not need to be automatically avoided. Check that it has been stored correctly, follow the instructions on the packaging and do not eat it after its use-by date.

The same principle applies to mixed fruit pots containing watermelon.

How much watermelon can you eat while pregnant?

There is no NHS pregnancy-specific limit for watermelon.

For general healthy eating, the NHS recommends at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. An adult portion of fruit or vegetables is generally around 80 g, and NHS guidance gives one slice of watermelon as a practical example of a portion.

Variety is useful because different fruits and vegetables provide different combinations of nutrients.

You do not need to avoid watermelon because it tastes sweet. Whole fruit is included within NHS healthy eating recommendations.

If you have gestational diabetes, pre-existing diabetes or another condition affecting your dietary needs, follow the individual advice given by your healthcare team.

Does watermelon contain too much sugar for pregnancy?

You may see advice online suggesting that pregnant people should avoid watermelon because of its natural sugar content.

Watermelon is not listed by the NHS as a food that needs to be avoided during pregnancy because of sugar. Whole fruit forms part of NHS healthy eating guidance.

That does not mean everyone needs to eat the same amount. If you have gestational diabetes, NHS guidance says that changes to your diet may form part of your care, and your healthcare team can give you individual advice.

General pregnancy food guidance cannot replace personalised advice if your blood glucose is being monitored or you have been given a specific eating plan.

Can watermelon help with hydration?

Watermelon contains fluid, so eating it contributes some water as part of your diet. It can be refreshing if you enjoy cold fruit, particularly during warmer weather.

It should not be treated as a substitute for drinking fluids, though. Regular drinks are still important for hydration.

If nausea or vomiting is making it difficult to keep fluids down, eating watermelon is not a replacement for medical advice. Persistent vomiting during pregnancy can lead to dehydration and may need assessment by a midwife or GP.

Can watermelon help with pregnancy swelling or heartburn?

Watermelon is sometimes promoted online as a natural remedy for swelling, heartburn and other pregnancy symptoms.

There is no need to rely on watermelon to treat these symptoms. Pregnancy symptoms can have different causes, and food should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment.

If you enjoy watermelon and it feels comfortable to eat, there is no problem including it as part of your diet. If a food seems to make heartburn or nausea worse for you, choosing something else is also reasonable.

Sudden swelling in pregnancy deserves particular attention. The NHS advises seeking immediate medical advice if you develop a sudden increase in swelling of your face, hands or feet, particularly because this can be a symptom of pre-eclampsia.

What about watermelon juice and smoothies?

Whole watermelon and watermelon juice are treated differently in NHS healthy eating guidance.

The NHS recommends limiting fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies to a combined total of 150 ml per day. They only count as one portion of your 5 A Day, regardless of how much you drink.

This is because blending or juicing releases the sugars contained within the fruit. The NHS recommends having juice and smoothies with meals to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Whole watermelon does not fall under the 150 ml juice and smoothie limit.

If you buy a packaged watermelon drink, check the label. Some products may contain added sugars or other ingredients and may not be the same as pure fruit juice.

What if you ate watermelon that was not washed?

It can be easy to cut into a melon and only afterwards remember the advice about washing fresh produce.

Eating watermelon that was not washed first does not mean that you will necessarily become unwell. However, NHS pregnancy guidance recommends thoroughly washing fruit and vegetables, so it is sensible to follow that precaution in future.

If you are worried about something you have eaten or start to feel unwell, contact your midwife or GP for individual advice rather than trying to work out the cause yourself.

Food safety advice is intended to reduce avoidable risks, not to make eating during pregnancy feel frightening.

When to get professional advice

You do not normally need professional advice simply because you have eaten properly washed and stored watermelon during pregnancy.

Speak to your midwife, GP or a registered dietitian if you have gestational diabetes, pre-existing diabetes, food allergies, another medical condition affecting your diet, or have been given individual dietary guidance.

Contact your midwife or GP if you become unwell after eating something you are concerned about. NHS 111 can advise you if you need urgent medical help and are unsure which service to use.

If vomiting is making it difficult to keep food or fluids down, contact your midwife or GP because persistent pregnancy sickness can lead to dehydration and may require assessment.

Seek immediate advice from your maternity service if you develop a sudden increase in swelling of your face, hands or feet, particularly if you also have a severe headache, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting or feel very unwell.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.