Watermelon

When I was going through treatment many years ago, my mouth was so dry my tongue felt like sandpaper. Food became an uninvited guest, unpleasant and unwelcome, and nausea seemed to linger like a dark shadow. This was before I became a nurse, and during that time, I stumbled upon something surprisingly healing: watermelon. Not cantaloupe, not honeydew, just watermelon. Somehow, it brought my tongue back to life. It gave me moisture and hydration, eased my nausea, and for a moment, made food feel like a friend again.

Years later, as a nurse, I have met so many patients who struggle with the same things; dry mouth, nausea, the loss of joy in eating, and the challenge of getting enough fluids. I always share my secret: try watermelon. I am not a doctor, and this isn’t a prescription, but it is a natural, gentle option that often helps. Sometimes I even suggest freezing small pieces, the coolness soothes the mouth, and it’s easier to swallow when nothing else feels right. It’s a simple comfort that can make a big difference.

When I became sick recently and couldn't eat and experienced nausea and dry mouth, I found myself turning back to that familiar red fruit. It was the one thing I could eat without effort, the one thing that felt good. It eased my nausea, soothed my tongue, and even brought me a little joy. Watermelon may not cure what ails us, but it has a quiet kind of healing, sweet, refreshing, and full of life. For those who love it, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things are the most nourishing of all.

Sometimes, watermelon is the silver lining, a small slice of comfort when everything else feels pretty darn awful.

If someone you love has lost the taste or joy for food, their tongue is dry, their mouth is dry, or they are experiencing nausea, suggest a bite of watermelon... see if that brings comfort. It works for me, and it has worked for hundreds of the patients I care for.

xo

Gabby