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Watermelon vs honeydew melon

By our estimate, honeydew melon is more filling per calorie than watermelon: 5 versus 4 out of 5. Watermelon has fewer calories: 30 kcal per 100 g, versus 36 for honeydew melon, so the same calories come with more grams of food.

Two summer fruits.

Prepared by
Last updated
Sources
2 primary
Data
USDA FDC 167765 and 169911

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Key differences

  • Neither is a meaningful source of protein: 2 and 1.5 g per 100 kcal.
  • Watermelon has fewer calories: 30 kcal per 100 g, versus 36 for honeydew melon, so the same calories come with more grams of food.
  • Neither provides a meaningful amount of fiber: 0.4 and 0.8 g per 100 g.

Comparison per 100 g and per serving

Values per 100 g (3.5 oz) and per typical serving. USDA descriptions: Watermelon; Honeydew melon, raw.
NutrientWatermelonserving: 200 g (7 oz)Honeydew melonserving: 200 g (7 oz)Difference
Calories30 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)60 kcal per serving36 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)72 kcal per serving+6 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)+12 kcal per serving
Protein0.6 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)1.2 g per serving0.5 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)1.1 g per serving−0.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)−0.1 g per serving
Carbohydrates7.6 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)15.1 g per serving9.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)18.2 g per serving+1.5 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+3.1 g per serving
of which sugars6.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)12.4 g per serving8.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)16.2 g per serving+1.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+3.8 g per serving
Fiber0.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.8 g per serving0.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)1.6 g per serving+0.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+0.8 g per serving
Fat0.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.3 g per serving0.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.3 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
of which saturated0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.1 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
Water91.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)182.8 g per serving89.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)179.6 g per serving−1.6 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)−3.2 g per serving
Protein per 100 kcal2 g1.5 g−0.5 g
Estimated satiety (1 to 5)4 / 55 / 5+1

In bold, the value more favorable to satiety when the gap is clear. Difference: Honeydew melon minus Watermelon. Source: USDA FDC 167765 and 169911.

Per typical serving

With typical servings, 200 g (7 oz) of watermelon has about 60 kcal and 1.2 g of protein, and 200 g (7 oz) of honeydew melon about 72 kcal and 1.1 g.

The typical serving is a common amount used for the math, not a recommendation. Ounces are rounded US equivalents; the values come from the database entries cited in the sources.

Which is more filling?

By our estimate, honeydew melon is more filling per calorie than watermelon: 5 versus 4 out of 5.

  • Watermelon: Very low energy density; high water content.
  • Honeydew melon: Calculation: 1 (base) + 2 (very low energy density: 36 kcal/100 g) + 0 (protein: 1.5 g/100 kcal) + 1 (fiber: 2.2 g/100 kcal) + 1 (solid food with 89.8 g of water) = 5.

The 1 to 5 score is our own estimate: it starts at 1 point, adds points for low energy density, for protein and fiber per 100 kcal, and for the water in solid foods, and subtracts points for drinks with calories. It is useful for comparing foods with each other; it is not a measurement in people.

When to choose each one

Watermelon

  • If you want to eat more grams for the same calories: 30 kcal per 100 g.

Honeydew melon

  • If you have nausea or fill up quickly: it carries our “Easy to digest” tag.

On a GLP-1 medication

Watermelon. “Low energy density”: plenty of volume for few calories; make sure it does not push protein foods off your plate. “Hydrating”: a lot of water, which contributes to hydration when you eat and drink less.

Honeydew melon. “Easy to digest”: a soft or low-fat food that many people tolerate well when they feel nauseous or get full quickly. “Low energy density”: plenty of volume for few calories; make sure it does not push protein foods off your plate. “Hydrating”: a lot of water, which contributes to hydration when you eat and drink less.

These are general guidelines, not medical advice: everyone tolerates foods differently.

Full food pages

  • Watermelon: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.
  • Honeydew melon: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.

See all comparisons

Sources

Sources for the data on this page, with the access date.

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.USDA FoodData Central: Watermelon, raw (FDC ID 167765).accessed .
  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.USDA FoodData Central: Melons, honeydew, raw (FDC ID 169911).accessed .