16 Complete Protein Pairings with Honeydew

Summary:

  • Honeydew is low in protein - about 5.4 grams per melon.
  • In addition, honeydew provides only 2 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine.[1]
  • Honeydew pairs well with carrots, pumpkin seeds, hedge mustard seeds, chia seeds or lotus seeds to create a complete protein profile. [2] More honeydew pairings and detailed analysis below.

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

World Health Organization [2], National Academy Press [3]

We analyzed the amino acid composition of honeydew, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with honeydew that creates a complete protein profile. Read on to discover new combinations of foods to enjoy!

Details on how we calculate complete protein profiles.

image of honeydew source

Amount of Protein in Honeydew

Relatively low in protein, a single honeydew contains 5.4 grams of protein, or about 11% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with honeydew alone, you will need 9.3 honeydew (9260 grams) for an average female, or 11 honeydew for males. [4] That's over 3330 calories, and a lot of honeydew! Pairing honeydew with a richer protein source is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for honeydew
USDA Source: Melons, honeydew, raw

Macronutrients in 1 melon (1000g) of honeydew:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
18% 360 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
2.2% 1.4 grams
Protein
10.8% 5.4 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Honeydew

Proportionally, honeydew does contain abundant amounts of 2 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, honeydew is a little short on histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with honeydew alone, you will have to eat 17 honeydew (17200 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 86% more honeydew to compensate for the lack of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 melon (1000g) of honeydew:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
10.8% 5.4g
Histidine
7.9% 0.05g
Isoleucine
15.1% 0.13g
Leucine
8.5% 0.16g
Lysine
10.5% 0.18g
Methionine
5.8% 0.05g
Phenylalanine
10.1% 0.15g
Threonine
14.4% 0.13g
Tryptophan
19.2% 0.05g
Valine
16.7% 0.18g

More Complete Protein with Honeydew

Top vegan pairings with honeydew include:
  1. Carrots
  2. Pumpkin Seeds
  3. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  4. Chia Seeds
  5. Lotus Seeds
  6. Dijon Mustard
  7. Spirulina
  8. Pistachio
  9. Spinach
  10. Crimini Mushroom
  11. Cashews
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with honeydew. These include:
  1. Sour Cream
  2. Caramel
  3. Mayonnaise
  4. Yogurt

Vegan 1. Carrots and Honeydew


image of carrots
image of honeydew

Low in protein, carrot is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.3 honeydew (294g) and 2.9 carrots (211g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.7:1 of carrot to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for carrots
USDA Source: Carrots, raw

Table of amino acids of 0.3 melon honeydew and 2.9 large carrots :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.1% 3.6g
Histidine
15.8% 0.1g
Isoleucine
23.4% 0.2g
Leucine
13.9% 0.26g
Lysine
15.6% 0.27g
Methionine
6.6% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
11.6% 0.17g
Threonine
49.1% 0.44g
Tryptophan
15.4% 0.04g
Valine
18.4% 0.2g

Vegan 2. Pumpkin Seeds and Honeydew


image of pumpkin seeds
image of honeydew

Pumpkin seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 0.8 honeydew (769g) and 0.4 cup of pumpkin seeds (26g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.03 to 1:44 for honeydew to pumpkin seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pumpkin seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, pumpkin and squash seeds, whole, roasted, without salt

Table of amino acids of 0.8 melon honeydew and 0.4 cup pumpkin seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.9% 8.9g
Histidine
27.3% 0.17g
Isoleucine
40.3% 0.35g
Leucine
28% 0.53g
Lysine
29% 0.5g
Methionine
17% 0.15g
Phenylalanine
23.8% 0.35g
Threonine
30.7% 0.28g
Tryptophan
47.2% 0.12g
Valine
48.5% 0.52g

Vegan 3. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Honeydew


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of honeydew

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, hedge mustard seed is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.9 honeydew (909g) and 0.4 cup of hedge mustard seeds (29g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.03 to 1:35 for honeydew to hedge mustard seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.9 melon honeydew and 0.4 cup hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
16.8% 8.4g
Histidine
22% 0.14g
Isoleucine
35.4% 0.3g
Leucine
26.4% 0.5g
Lysine
23.1% 0.39g
Methionine
15.6% 0.13g
Phenylalanine
20.4% 0.3g
Threonine
35.1% 0.32g
Tryptophan
46.8% 0.12g
Valine
33.9% 0.37g

Vegan 4. Chia Seeds and Honeydew


image of chia seeds
image of honeydew

Chia seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 0.6 honeydew (556g) and 0.8 ounce of chia seeds (23g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.04:1 of chia seed to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.6 melon honeydew and 0.8 oz chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13.4% 6.7g
Histidine
23.4% 0.15g
Isoleucine
29.4% 0.25g
Leucine
21% 0.4g
Lysine
18.6% 0.32g
Methionine
18.6% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
20.9% 0.31g
Threonine
25.8% 0.23g
Tryptophan
48.5% 0.13g
Valine
29% 0.31g

Vegan 5. Lotus Seeds and Honeydew


image of lotus seeds
image of honeydew

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, lotus seed is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.3 honeydew (263g) and 1.5 cups of lotus seeds (48g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.18:1 of lotus seed to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for lotus seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, lotus seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.3 melon honeydew and 1.5 cup lotus seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.7% 8.9g
Histidine
35% 0.22g
Isoleucine
46.9% 0.4g
Leucine
33.3% 0.63g
Lysine
30.6% 0.52g
Methionine
16.5% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
27.5% 0.41g
Threonine
43.9% 0.4g
Tryptophan
46% 0.12g
Valine
48.7% 0.53g

Vegan 6. Dijon Mustard and Honeydew


image of dijon mustard
image of honeydew

Dijon mustard is a great source of protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 0.5 honeydew (500g) and 4.7 tablespoons of dijon mustard (28g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.06:1 of dijon mustard to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for dijon mustard
USDA Source: Spices, mustard seed, ground

Table of amino acids of 0.5 melon honeydew and 4.7 tbsp dijon mustard :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
20.1% 10.1g
Histidine
43.3% 0.27g
Isoleucine
46.4% 0.4g
Leucine
35.3% 0.67g
Lysine
35.7% 0.61g
Methionine
18.7% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
27.2% 0.41g
Threonine
33.4% 0.3g
Tryptophan
37.3% 0.1g
Valine
47.8% 0.52g

Vegan 7. Spirulina and Honeydew


image of spirulina
image of honeydew

A great source of protein, spirulina is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.6 honeydew (625g) and 1.4 tablespoons of spirulina (10g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.02 to 1:26 for honeydew to spirulina by weight.

Full nutritional profile for spirulina
USDA Source: Seaweed, spirulina, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.6 melon honeydew and 1.4 tbsp spirulina :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
18.2% 9.1g
Histidine
22.2% 0.14g
Isoleucine
46.7% 0.4g
Leucine
31.5% 0.59g
Lysine
24.2% 0.41g
Methionine
17% 0.15g
Phenylalanine
24.9% 0.37g
Threonine
42% 0.38g
Tryptophan
47.8% 0.12g
Valine
42.9% 0.46g

Vegan 8. Pistachio and Honeydew


image of pistachio
image of honeydew

Pistachio is a great source of protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 0.4 honeydew (370g) and 0.3 cup of pistachio (36g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.1:1 of pistachio to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for pistachio
USDA Source: Nuts, pistachio nuts, dry roasted, without salt added

Table of amino acids of 0.4 melon honeydew and 0.3 cup pistachio :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
19.1% 9.6g
Histidine
33.4% 0.21g
Isoleucine
45.6% 0.39g
Leucine
35% 0.66g
Lysine
28.9% 0.49g
Methionine
17.8% 0.15g
Phenylalanine
31.2% 0.47g
Threonine
33.8% 0.3g
Tryptophan
43.2% 0.11g
Valine
49.6% 0.54g

Vegan 9. Spinach and Honeydew


image of spinach
image of honeydew

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, spinach is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.5 honeydew (476g) and 8.2 cups of spinach (245g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.5:1 of spinach to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for spinach
USDA Source: Spinach, raw

Table of amino acids of 0.5 melon honeydew and 8.2 cup spinach :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
19.1% 9.6g
Histidine
28.7% 0.18g
Isoleucine
49.1% 0.42g
Leucine
32.9% 0.62g
Lysine
29.9% 0.51g
Methionine
17.8% 0.15g
Phenylalanine
26% 0.39g
Threonine
40.1% 0.36g
Tryptophan
45.8% 0.12g
Valine
44.4% 0.48g

Vegan 10. Crimini Mushroom and Honeydew


image of crimini mushroom
image of honeydew

Crimini mushroom is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 0.1 honeydew (77g) and 2.6 cups of crimini mushroom (224g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.9:1 of crimini mushroom to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for crimini mushroom
USDA Source: Mushrooms, brown, italian, or crimini, raw

Table of amino acids of 0.1 melon honeydew and 2.6 cup crimini mushroom :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
12% 6g
Histidine
24.4% 0.15g
Isoleucine
27% 0.23g
Leucine
18.8% 0.36g
Lysine
33.8% 0.58g
Methionine
13% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
15.4% 0.23g
Threonine
29.2% 0.26g
Tryptophan
49.7% 0.13g
Valine
25.1% 0.27g

Vegan 11. Cashews and Honeydew


image of cashews
image of honeydew

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, cashew is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 0.6 honeydew (588g) and 1.2 ounces of cashews (35g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.06:1 of cashew to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for cashews
USDA Source: Nuts, cashew nuts, raw

Table of amino acids of 0.6 melon honeydew and 1.2 oz cashews :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
19% 9.5g
Histidine
29.8% 0.19g
Isoleucine
40.8% 0.35g
Leucine
32.1% 0.61g
Lysine
25.1% 0.43g
Methionine
18.1% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
28.1% 0.42g
Threonine
35.1% 0.32g
Tryptophan
49.9% 0.13g
Valine
45% 0.49g

Vegetarian 12. Sour Cream and Honeydew


image of sour cream
image of honeydew

Sour cream is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 1.4 honeydew (1429g) and 0.7 cup of sour cream (135g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.09:1 of sour cream to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Table of amino acids of 1.4 melon honeydew and 0.7 cup sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
22% 11g
Histidine
31% 0.2g
Isoleucine
47.1% 0.4g
Leucine
35% 0.66g
Lysine
36.7% 0.63g
Methionine
20.5% 0.18g
Phenylalanine
28.5% 0.43g
Threonine
41.9% 0.38g
Tryptophan
49.2% 0.13g
Valine
48.1% 0.52g

Vegetarian 13. Caramel and Honeydew


image of caramel
image of honeydew

Low in protein, caramel is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 1.3 honeydew (1250g) and 0.8 cup of caramel (276g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.22 to 1:0.13 for honeydew to caramel by weight.

Full nutritional profile for caramel
USDA Source: Toppings, butterscotch or caramel

Table of amino acids of 1.3 melon honeydew and 0.8 cup caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
20.2% 10.1g
Histidine
27.5% 0.17g
Isoleucine
47.5% 0.41g
Leucine
31.6% 0.6g
Lysine
32% 0.55g
Methionine
19.1% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
25.7% 0.38g
Threonine
38.3% 0.34g
Tryptophan
24% 0.06g
Valine
45.9% 0.5g

Vegetarian 14. Mayonnaise and Honeydew


image of mayonnaise
image of honeydew

Mayonnaise is low in protein, and is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, complementing the profile of honeydew.

For example, 1 honeydew (1000g) and 1.9 cups of mayonnaise (417g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.42:1 of mayonnaise to honeydew will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Table of amino acids of 1 melon honeydew and 1.9 cup mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
18.8% 9.4g
Histidine
25.2% 0.16g
Isoleucine
46.6% 0.4g
Leucine
29.4% 0.56g
Lysine
28.1% 0.48g
Methionine
22.8% 0.2g
Phenylalanine
26% 0.39g
Threonine
39.9% 0.36g
Tryptophan
46.5% 0.12g
Valine
45.3% 0.49g

Vegetarian 15. Yogurt and Honeydew


image of yogurt
image of honeydew

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, yogurt is high in histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine, which is complementary to honeydew.

A ratio of 1 honeydew (1000g) and 0.4 cup of yogurt (110g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.11 to 1:1.1 for honeydew to yogurt by weight.

Full nutritional profile for yogurt
USDA Source: Yogurt, plain, whole milk

Table of amino acids of 1 melon honeydew and 0.4 cup yogurt :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
18.4% 9.2g
Histidine
23% 0.14g
Isoleucine
39.3% 0.34g
Leucine
28.9% 0.55g
Lysine
30.6% 0.52g
Methionine
18.9% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
24.1% 0.36g
Threonine
31.8% 0.29g
Tryptophan
27.8% 0.07g
Valine
45.9% 0.5g


Complete Protein Pairings

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