Summer Cravings: Eating Healthy in Warmer Months

Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC

 

Cravings can happen for a variety of reasons – hormonal shifts, lack of sleep, and stress, to name a few. While sugar and starch are the most commonly craved foods, there are a few other things you may find yourself drawn to during the warmer months. Let’s take a look at what these foods are, why you might be craving them, and how you can satisfy them!

 

Cooling Foods

The heat of the summer may lead us to reach for cooling foods and beverages, like cucumber, watermelon, lettuce, and chilled drinks. Nature provides these delicious, cooling fruits and veggies for use at this time of the year. Interestingly, eating or drinking something very cold seems cooling at the time but may actually raise your body’s internal temperature slightly. So get your fill on healthy summer produce and refreshing spring water, but pace yourself. And of course, be sure to avoid sugary beverages to quench that thirst.

 

Salty Foods

Craving foods like potato chips or French fries might indicate you’re dehydrated. Dehydration caused by high temperatures may lead to an increased drive to consume these salty foods in an attempt to replace electrolytes lost through sweating. So next time you find yourself craving salt, try drinking a glass of water first. Also, a homeopathic product called Bioplasma is great for balancing out electrolytes and preventing dehydration.

 

Nostalgic Foods

Summer time activities, like barbecues, picnics, or trips to the ice cream parlor, are often tied to pleasant memories. This leads us to associate the foods we may have eaten at these events, like burgers, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, pasta salad, sweet tea, snow cones, or ice cream cake with nice weather and a good time. A craving for these foods may indicate an attempt to re-create those feel-good memories. As mentioned in a recent post, creating your own summer traditions with healthier options is a great way to avoid the emotional eating of less than ideal foods.

 

Lighter Foods

Large bowls of a hearty chili might be great on a cold day, but in the heat, most people tend to opt for lighter dishes.  Often during the warmer months, people tend to eat smaller portions of healthy eats. This is a great habit to form for those of us trying to maintain our wellness through the summer months and beyond!

 

No-Fuss Foods

 

Hot weather and busy schedules also make spending time in the kitchen less appealing for many – so simple, easy-to-prepare dishes like grilled meats, veggies or salads become a summer staple.  Marpé Wellness is full of great recipes that are both easy to prepare and healthy for the body like the fan favorites, Blackened Chicken and Strawberry Salad and Grilled Salmon with Basil Butter, just to name a few.

 

As we can see, it is possible to satisfy those summer cravings with foods that make you feel strong, healthy, and energized!

Julie Paiva
Julie Paiva
Julie is a nutritional counselor with a degree in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Science from Southern Connecticut State University. She has been giving one-on-one coaching sessions ever since earning her degree in 2013 and is passionate about helping others implement a holistic lifestyle!

Sign up for a FREE Sample Meal Plan

Before you leave, subscribe for a FREE 2 DAY MEAL PLAN & to stay up to date with news and announcements!