Everywhere you turn to, health and nutrition experts are telling us to eat more fruit and vegetables. That’s great, but in today’s fast paced world, it’s not always easy to indulge in the healthier choices.

Among the fruits that are recommended by many nutritionists are melons – watermelon, cantaloupes, honeydew, casaba and other types of melons.

What you may not know is that watermelons originally came from the southern parts of Africa, but once brought to the Americas, it has flourished well in America, Mexico and other Central and South American countries.

Even though watermelon is about 90% water, it still has excellent nutritional value. In addition to having a delicious and refreshing taste, watermelon is very low in calories (only about 7.5% good carbs) and contains a couple of important plant compounds – citrulline and lycopene. Whether eating watermelon or drinking watermelon that has been juiced, it has been linked to helping to lower blood pressure, reduce muscle soreness and improve insulin sensitivity which helps with diabetes.

Eating 3.5 ounces of watermelon is only 30 calories, 0.6g of protein, 7.6 g of carb, 6.2g of sugar, 0.4g fiber and no fat. Even though watermelon is high on the glycemic index (a measure of how quickly foods increase blood glucose), it has so few carbs that it has relatively little effect on someone’s blood glucose level.

Cantaloupes are also a great choice for people who want to eat healthy or are on a diet. A cup (about 5.6 ounces of cubed cantaloupe) is only 54 calories and contains about 78% of the daily need for vitamin C, 30% of vitamin A, 9% potassium, 8% copper, 8% folate, 7% vitamin B6 and B3, 6% vitamin B1, 5% magnesium, 5% fiber and 4% vitamin K. They contain carotenoids like beta-carotene, and antioxidants. A regular diet of cantaloupe has been found to reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

A number of sources list watermelon and cantaloupes among the healthiest foods you can eat.

With the health benefits that come with watermelons, cantaloupes and other melons, they have grown in popularity, especially among the younger health-conscious people. However, these are also the busiest people and face it, it takes time to cut a melon from the rind and then cube, time that leads many fast-paced young families to turn to the pre-cut melons, conveniently packaged in many grocery stores.

However, there is a warning out for containers of pre-cut melons that could contain salmonella, according to a recent report:

“The Centers for Disease Control just announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide linked to pre-cut melon from Catio Foods. So far, 60 people have reported being infected and 31 people have been hospitalized after consumption.”

“Beloved summer fruits including: watermelon, honeydew melon and cantaloupe have been sourced as the cause as well as pre-cut fruit medley but there is no word yet on how they were contamined. Each were sold in clear, plastic clamshell containers at Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, plus Whole Foods and Amazon in these states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.”

They warn that pregnant women, children and older folks can be affected the worse, landing them in a hospital and possibly worse.

If you think you may have purchased any of the possible contaminated pre-cut melon, here is a list to find more details. Officials recommend that if you have any in your fridge to toss it immediately to prevent anyone from eating it and getting sick.

Sometimes, it is best to take a couple of minutes to cut and prepare your own food. After all the fewer hands that handle your food, the less likely it is get infected with anything.